You can, of course, write less! We welcome original poems in all forms.
In addition to the generous prize pot, we submit our top three poems to the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem, giving you the opportunity to win a further £1,000.
When it comes to our competition, you can write about anything you like. Whatever inspires, excites or motivates you, we want to read your poetry.
Win £5,000, publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology, automatic entry into the Forward Prize for Poetry, and an invitation to our awards celebration. Winning the Bridport Prize can open doors to new publishing opportunities and become an important milestone in your writing journey.
Publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology, recognition by our judges and an invitation to the awards celebration.
Publication in the anthology and recognition as one of the year’s outstanding poems.
Ten Highly Commended prizes: £100 each
To know that so many of you were writing poems and sending them out into the world fills me with hope. I want every poet who entered the Bridport Prize this year to know your work and brave spirits lit up my summer days
First prize
Maximum length
Entry fee
Open to
Judge
Deadline
✓ Publication in the Bridport Prize Anthology
✓ Prestigious competition established in 1973
✓ Excellent judges
✓ Anonymous judging
✓ Open to writers worldwide aged 16+
Before submitting your work, please read the Rules & Entry Checklist.
✓ Eligibility
✓ Formatting
✓ AI guidance
✓ Terms & Conditions
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: Yes, provided the work has not won a prize or been published. All other eligibility requirements still apply.
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, but your entry becomes ineligible if it wins a prize elsewhere or is published before prize giving. Please inform us immediately if your entry wins a prize elsewhere or is published. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Q: How many pieces can I enter?
A: You can enter any number of pieces in each category.
Q: What about copyright?
A: Copyright in all submitted work remains with the author. Entrants grant Bridport Prize a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to publish winning and highly commended entries in anthologies and in promotional materials related to the competition.
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: 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: Shortlisted titles will be announced on the Bridport Prize website and social media on 30 July 2027. Winning and Highly Commended writers will be notified on 9 September 2027. Full results will be announced on 16 October 2027, when the anthologies will be published. Some dates after the 31 May deadline may be subject to change.
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 line count?
A: No.
Q: What if I forget to add a line count?
A: Don’t worry. We check if the work is shortlisted.
