All we ask is that you please keep poems to 42 lines, max. You can, of course, write less. In addition to the prize money, our top three winning poems are automatically entered into the Forward Prize For Poetry’s competition, with the chance to win a further £1000.
When it comes to the Bridport Prize competition, you can write about absolutely anything but whatever your rhyme or reason, we want to read your poetry.
One of the largest poetry prizes, the winning poem also features in our anthology, a chance to see your words on the printed page. That’s not all. It opens up further opportunities where your work needs to have been published. You will also be invited to take part in our awards celebration, receive feedback from the judges and our professional partners. Finally, we will champion you not only as one of our winners but as our alumni, part of the Bridport Prize family.
Your poem features in the Bridport Prize anthology, so you will see your words on the page forever more. It also means you are published and can pursue other opportunities. We hope you’ll join us for the awards celebration and enjoy the recognition of your success. It is a big deal.
Your poem is included in our anthology where you’ll see your words finally within the pages of a book. Being published now gives you access to other opportunities. There’s the chance to join our awards celebration and appreciate the fact your hard work has been recognised.
Highly Commended 10 x £100
The poetry prize is open to writers of any nationality writing in English aged 16 and over at the time of the closing date.
Entries must be entirely your own work. Any evidence to the contrary will result in immediate disqualification.
Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed (2nd, 3rd, runner up etc) in any other competition.
If your entry has been long-listed or shortlisted in other competitions, and provided it has not won a prize or been published, it is eligible.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed but will become ineligible should they win a prize elsewhere, be published or scheduled for future publication prior to the date of prize giving. Entry fees will not be refunded.
You must inform us immediately should your entry be published or win a prize elsewhere.
Entries submitted posthumously are not eligible.
Please ensure you read the rules carefully before entering the competition.
Entry implies acceptance of all the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.
IMPORTANT: All entries are judged anonymously. Please do not include your name, address, phone number, email, website, twitter handle etc on the document or in the file name or your entry will be disqualified.
We disqualify entries if they are named or over the line limit. If you forget to add details – title or line count – your entry will NOT be disqualified.
Entries can be on any subject in any style or form. We do not recommend poems written for children. You can enter any number of poems but please check you are submitting the correct version of your work before uploading as mistakes cannot be rectified later. If you find you have submitted the wrong version or have made a mistake in the work, you can withdraw it and resubmit a corrected version before the deadline. Please note a further fee would be payable. Entries can be withdrawn by logging into your account. To see how to withdraw, please click here. Entry fees will not be refunded.
The deadline date for completed entries is 23:59 (UK time) on 31st May 2025. Please note the online entry system closes at midnight, so don’t leave it to the last minute to submit! Postal entries postmarked 31st May but received later will be accepted.
Poetry: 42 lines max. No minimum. Title not included in the line count. Dedications not included in the line count. Lines between text / stanzas are not counted.
£12 per poem. There is no limit to the number of submissions.
The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. Judging is fair and unbiased. The Bridport Prize reserves the right to change the panel of judges without notice.
Worldwide copyright of each entry remains with the author but the Bridport Prize has unrestricted rights to publish the winning and highly commended poems, short stories and flash fiction stories in the 2025 anthology and any relevant promotional material.
A short-list of poem titles will be announced on the BP website and social media on 31st July 2025. Winners and highly commended poets will be notified by email in September. A prize-giving event will be held for these writers at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 18th October 2025.
Postal entries: enclose a stamped, self addressed postcard marked ACKNOWLEDGEMENT if you require receipt of entry. Online entries are confirmed by email to your Submittable account on receipt of payment. Please check your spam folder as emails can land there. It is NOT possible to confirm receipt of entries by phone or email.
Q: Can I make changes after submission?
A: No. If you want to submit a more recent version you have to enter again and pay the fee. You can withdraw your original entry by logging into your Submittable account. To see how to withdraw, please click here. To withdraw postal entries, please email [email protected]
Q: Do you accept email attachments?
A: No. You can only submit online or by post.
Q: An earlier version of my work was shortlisted in another competition but I’ve changed it. Can I submit it?
A: If the work was not published, you did not receive a cash prize and it has been altered, then yes, it is eligible.
Q: My work was long listed in another competition and published in an online anthology. Can I submit it?
A: No. Previously published work is not eligible.
Q: My work was previously shortlisted in this competition. Can I re-submit it?
A: Yes.
Q: Are simultaneous submissions to other competitions allowed?
A: Yes, though if you submit your entry at the same time, it’s on the understanding you will immediately withdraw from the Bridport Prize if it wins elsewhere. Equally, if you win with us you should withdraw from any other competitions.
Q: How many pieces can I enter?
A: You can enter any number of pieces in each category.
Q: What about copyright?
A: Worldwide copyright remains with the author but we have unrestricted rights to first publish winning and highly commended poems in the 2025 anthology and we may use extracts for promotional material.
Q: Must entries be unpublished?
A: Yes.
Q: Does a poem on my blog count as publication?
A: Yes.
Q: Are translations allowed?
A: An author’s translation of their own work into English is eligible but someone else’s or an AI translation of the work is not.
Q: My piece was previously published in another language. Can I submit it in translation?
A: Yes, providing amendments have been made to the original work and it was not published in the UK and you are making the translation yourself.
Q: How do you sort entries if they’re anonymous?
A: Postal entries are coded then matched to an entry form once the judges have made their decision. Online entries are automatically tagged with a number connected to personal details.
Q: Can I use a pen name?
A: Yes. But please submit your piece in your real name. When winners are selected we check what name you want to use.
Q: Can I send the same piece I entered in last year’s competition?
A: Yes.
Q: I accidentally included my details on the piece. Will it be disqualified?
A: Yes. You need to start over.
Q: Are entries returned after judging?
A: No. They are deleted or shredded.
Q: When are winners notified?
A: During September. The full results will be posted on the website and social media on Saturday 18th October 2025. The shortlists, novel long list and Judges’ Report with a list of the winners are available as downloads. All winning and Highly Commended poetry, short story and flash fiction writers will be contacted during September.
Q: How do I get an entry form?
A: Download and print it from our website or email [email protected] to get one emailed to you or posted.
Q: What happens if I send my postal entry close to the deadline?
A: Entries postmarked on 31 May deadline date but arriving later will be accepted. Late entries are not.
Q: Are titles, epigraphs and dedications part of the poetry word count?
A: No.
Q: What if I forget to add a line count?
A: Don’t worry. We check if the work is shortlisted.
I know the excitement you feel having written the poem, and the courage required to enter this competition.
