Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026

Competition Information

The Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition 2026 is open for entries.

Submission Guidelines
  • No theme
  • Entries should be a maximum of 50 lines, excluding the title
  • Entries must be original and unpublished

Judge: Keith Jarrett

Entry fee: £5 per poem

Prizes: 

  • First prize £1,000; Second prize £500; Third prize £200; Sonnet prize £200; Local prize: £200 for a poem by a Hertfordshire or Essex resident.
  • All winning and commended poems will be included in their print anthology. Winning poems to be published on the Ware Poets website.

Deadline: 30 April 2026

Please note: This is an external competition; all details and all submissions are on their website. Click here.

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