| National Poetry Anthology |
It's free to enter the National Poetry Anthology and there's a £1,000 first prize!
Previous
Winners:
2000 - Louise Ryder of Bucks
2001 - Ann Marsden of Cleveland
2002 - Pamela James of Northants
2003 - Christine Masson of Kent
2004 - Eileen Hudson of Greater Manchester
2005 - Lawrette Williams of Somerset
2006 - Peter Button of Lancaster
2007 - Stephen Holden of Preston
Poets
throughout the UK are invited to submit three poems (20
lines and 160 words maximum each) by the annual closing
date
of June 30th.
The
competition began in 1998 and the first National Anthology
was published the following year. Every poet included
in the anthology votes for their favourite poem
in the book, and the person who receives the most votes
collects a cash
prize of £1,000 and a magnificent trophy to keep
for life.
"In
those regions where we do not receive enough entries
we are unable to select a winner," explained the
editor, Peter Quinn.
The
poems can be on any subject and the Anthology encourages
creativity and imagination.
"The
main aim of the Anthology is to promote poetry nationwide," explained
Peter. "It has already received a very large amount
of press coverage and many of our winners have been interviewed
by local papers and radio. This, in itself, has helped
to make poetry more accessible."
Entrants
are requested to submit three poems, but no more than
that. Entry is free and all winners receive a free copy
of the Anthology (price £9.99).
The
closing date for entries is June 30th of each year and
the winners are normally informed by November. They are
provided with proofs of their poems to check and correct
and then return to United Press. The Anthology is published
in the spring of the following year. Local press and
radio are informed of all winners in their area and it
is normal for these winners to be photographed and interviewed.
This is why it is inadvisable for people who shun publicity
to enter the competition. The whole point of the Anthology
is to increase the profile of poetry. To promote the
Anthology, United Press Ltd donates large numbers of
copies as competition prizes to local media.
If
you want more details about the National Poetry Anthology
you can write to United Press Ltd, enclosing a large
SAE.