Yep – that’s right. The wonderful Edwin Morgan International Poetry Competition is one of the more remarkable poetry prizes around when you actually have the chance to win a lovely cash sum for your efforts to help you on your way… and entries are now being accepted for 2011. Now in its fourth year, the competition is rapidly establishing itself a reputation for being one of the biggest and most-respected celebrations of poetry in Europe.
And the good news is that anyone can enter! So if you fancy yourself as something of a poet then why not try your luck? The first prize is a fantastic £5000 and there’s a second of £1000, a third of £500 and two runner-up prizes of £50. On top of this, the finalists are invited to take part in a special poetry event at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival in August – an experience that money can’t buy!
Last year attracted over 1000 entries so whilst that’s a lot of poems, it isn’t so many that you don’t stand a chance if you’ve penned a great piece of work. The prizes are made available through the generous sponsorship of The University of Strathclyde and we – the Edinburgh International Book Festival – host the annual prize-giving each year during the Festival.
The closing date for entries is 10 June. Check out the Edwin Morgan Poetry Competition website for further info about how to enter.
Maybe we’ll be seeing you on stage in Charlotte Square Gardens this summer!
