Events

Outside London

Bath

Poetry Can Openers
3rd Thur, 8, £3/£1.50. Window Arts Centre, St. James Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, Avon BA1 1QR Contact Richard Carder.
Tel: 01225 313 531

Birkenhead

Wirral Ode Show
3rd Thur, 8.30. Seamus O'Donnells, Charing Cross, Birkenhead. Contact Jason Richardson, 13 Cromer Drive, Wallasey CH45 4RR
Tel: 0151 638-3648
jasonrichards69@hotmail.com 

Bournemouth

Cliff Edge Poetry
Programme Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, East Cliff BH1 3AA
Tel: 01202 451858
info@renaissanceone.com 

Bracknell

South Hill Park Arts Centre
Organises course & events. Ringmead, Birch Hill, Bracknell RG12 7PA
Tel: 01344 484858
01344 484123 (box office)

Bristol

Acoustic Night
Open mic. MC Pete Hunter. Mon 7. "Crofts", Stokes Croft, Bristol Contact Pete.
Tel: 0117 3771677
peteland@madasafish.com
Bristol Can Openers
2nd Thur, 8, £3/£1.50. YHA, Narrow Quay. Contact Lucy Hudson.
Tel: 0117 942 6976 
Phat Lip Floor Show
Monthly, theatre/slam/video. 8, £3.50. MCs Pete Hunter & Tim Gibbard. Landsdown, 8 Clifton Rd. Contact Pete Hunter or Tim Gibbard.
Tel: 0117 3771677
07790 660939 

Cambridge

CB1 Poetry at Michaelhouse
Guest poets plus floor spot 2nd Tues every month £5/£3 8pm at Michaelhouse, Trinity Street, CB2 1SU. Also open mic every 4th Tues £3/£2 8pm at CB1 Café, 32 Mill Road, CB1 2AD Contact Ian Cartland.
Tel: 07985 708422
www.cb1poetry.org.uk

Cardiff

Welsh Academi
Promotes Welsh literature. Site lists events. Mount Stuart House, Mount Stuart Sq, Cardiff CF10 5FQ
Tel: 029 2047 2266
www.academi.org
Friday Nights in Cardiff
Chapter Arts Centre Market Rd, Canton.
Tel: 029 2030 4400
First Thursday Chapter Arts Centre, Readings & open mic, 7.30, £2/£1.50
www.poetrywales.co.uk

Chepstow

Poetry on the Border
Poetry event on the first Saturday of the month (no event in Jan 2010), hosted and introduced by William Ayot £12/£10 7.30pm at the Drill Hall, Chepstow, NP16 5HJ. The poetry reading is done by one poet from Wales and another poet from across the border, England, Scotland or another country.
Info: www.poetryontheborder.org

Colchester

Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate
Tel: 01206 573948

Cockermouth

Cockermouth Poetry
Castlegate, Qtly readings. Details Michael Baron.
Tel: 01900 85289
mikbaron@macunlimited.net

Durham

Colpitts Poetry
various dates, 8, £2.50/£1.50. Allington House, Sadler Street, North Bailey. Contact Mick Standen.
Tel: 0191 386 4058 

Edinburgh

Big Word Performance Poetry
Fortnightly cabaret. MCs Anita Govan and Jem Rolls. 8.30, £4/£3. The Gilded Balloon, 233 Cowgate, EH1 [bottom of Blair St].
Tel 0131 229 3633
jemrolls@bigword.fsnet.co.uk
Out Loud
Open mic. run by the Phoenix Writers Group. 1st Thu, 7.30, £1. The Diggars pub (aka The Athletic Arms) 1-3 Angle Park Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11. Contact Julie Clark.
Tel: 0131 478 6136
words@outloud.org.uk
Shore Poets last Sun, 7.45pm, £3/£2. Mai Thai cafe bar, The Tun, 111 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8
Info: www.marcabru.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Ellesmere Port

Jim Bennett's Poetry Night
2nd Thur, 7.30pm, free Border Books, Outlet Village. Contact Jim.
Tel: 0151 691 1111 

Exeter

Uncut Poetry Cabaret
Monthly, 8, £5/£3. Phoenix Theatre. Contact Jim Bell.
Tel: 07879 888 319
jamesbell50@hotmail.com

Frome

Bi-monthly with featured poet & open mic. Garden Cafe, Stony St. Contact Ann & Keith Harrison-Broninski.
Tel: 01373 836520
jazz@nunneyjazzcafe.org

Glasgow

The Ramshorn Theatre
98 Ingram St G1 1EX
Tel: 0141 552 3489
ramshorn.theatre@strath.ac.uk 

Grasmere

The Wordsworth Trust
Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9SH
Tel: 01539 435544
www.wordsworth.org.uk 

Greatfield

Pulsar Live Microphone Mon, 8.00, free. Riffs Bar, Greatfield, Nr. Purton, Swindon, Wiltshire. Contact Mike York or David Pike.
Tel: 01793 778304, 01793 875941
david.pike@virgin.net 

Haslingden

Live at the Trades
Guest poets & open mic. 4th Wed, 8pm, £2. Trades Club. Contact Martin Peacock.
Tel: 01254 389250
peacock912@breathemail.net 

Hebden Bridge

Nelson's Wine Bar
Crown St. Poetry & open mic. 8.30, free. Contact Helen. Tel: 01925 752611
Helen@thomas0.fsnet.co.uk

Huddersfield

Poems at the Albert pub
Beside Huddersfield Library, 2nd Thursday of every month. 8pm
Tel: 01484 305179 

Ipswich

Poetry Ipswich
Reading & open mic. Wed, 7.30, £4/£2. Workshop & reading £7.50/£5. Workshop only £5. The Friends Meeting House, 39 Fonnereau Road. (Opposite Arboretum entrance to Christchurch Park).
derina@ukonline.co.uk 

Lancaster

LitFest's Spotlight Club
Guest readers & open mics. 3rd Fri, 8.30pm, £3/£2. Yorkshire House, Parliament St. Contact Ron Baker or Sarah Fiske.
Tel: 01524 381642
sarah.fiske@virgin.net 

Leeds

Abbey House Museum
Abbey Walk, Kirkstall.
Tel: 0113 230 5492
Phoenix Poetry
Guest & open mic. 2nd Tue. Fusion Café in Host Media Centre, 21 Savile Mount LS7 3HZ. Contact Siobhan Macmahon.
Tel: 0113 262 0138
b_mcpartlan@hotmail.com
Shamed Poetry
Open mic. Cafe Moderno, Lower Briggate
Tel: 0113 229 2541 
Wicked Words
Poetry Slam And Kash Prise to Boot! 2nd Tues of month, 8-11, free. Fusion Cafe Bar, Host Media Centre, off Chapeltown Road, 21 Savile Mount Leeds LS73HZ. Contact Siobhan Macmahon or Brendan Ego.
Tel: 0113 262 0138, 017715 115582
chickenpoetryleeds@hotmail.com
Survivors Poetry
3rd Mon, 7.30. Interchange @ Strawberry Fields. MC Johnny Solstice.

Leicester

Poetry Society
Readings & workshops. Fri, 7.45, £3.50/£2.50. Leicester Adult Education College, Wellingston St. Contact Emma Lee.
Tel: 0116 256 7074 (office hours)
e.hooper@bssgroup.com

Liverpool

The Club Surreal
Sun, £4/£3. The Sundaybeat, The Brewery. Contact Gonzo.
Tel: 0151 707 9479
Dead Good Poets Society
Monthly open floor. 1st Wed, at the Everyman Bistro Third Room, Hope St, 8.30pm, 24 slots of 5 mins per person. Monthly Guest Nights 3rd Wed. 8.30pm. 3 in 4 events at above venue, 4th at The Unity Theatre, Hope Place. Contact Sarah Maclennan 96 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4HY
Tel:0151 709 5221
sarah@deadgoodpoetssociety.co.uk
www.deadgoodpoetssociety.co.uk
The Hub Cafe
Poetry & acoustic music. 2nd & 4th Wed, 8-11. Ranleigh St. Contact Kieron Deveney.
Tel: 0151 286 1255
Stamps Cafe Open mic and guests. 1st Mon.
Xplosive Mouth 2nd & 4th Tue, 8. The Picket, Hardman St. Contact Kieron Deveney.
Tel: 07790 925437
xplosivemouth2@activemail.co.uk 

Llanberis

Space
Open mic, poets, musicians, DJs, storytellers. 8-11,Dolbadarn Hotel, High St. Contact Claire Tal-y-Bont.
Tel: 0786 777 2679
clairetalybont@netscape.net 

Manchester

Speakeasy
Open mic & guests. £5/£4. (readers £3) The Green Room, Whitworth St West. Contact Ekua.
Tel: 0161 236 1261 

Middlesbrough

The B[uz]z Poetry
Performances 1st Fri, 8, £3/£2, (students £1). The Cyber Café, 65 Grange Road
The Purple Onion Music & layers, Tue 8. 80 Corporation Road
Tel: 01642 222250

Middlesex

Salisbury House
Guest poet & floor spots. 1st Sat, 7.30, £3/£2 Bury St West, Enfield N9 9LA Contact Jane Elder.
Tel: 020 8360 5470, 020 8360 7779 
Watermans Arts Centre
40 High St Brentford. Wheelchair access.
Tel: 020 8232 1020 (admin)
020 8232 1010 (box office)
info@watermans.org.uk
www.watermans.org.uk 

Newcastle upon Tyne

Basil Bunting Poetry Centre
Morden Tower, Back Stowell St. Contact Connie Pickard. Tel: 0191 477 4430 
Origins
Poetry & music. 2nd Sun Bridge Hotel 

Norwich

TVP
Promote poetry events & publish. Contact Lisa D’Onofrio or Jason Raper.
Tel: 01603 629782, 01603 485679 
Ten Bells Open mic. Last Sun, 8.30. St. Benedict's Street. Contact Andrew McDonnell.
Tel: 01603 762378
quickspace99@hotmail.com

Nottingham

Net Talks
From trAce. 7, room 004, Clifton Campus, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane NG11 8NS
Tel: 0115 948 6360
trace@ntu.ac.uk
www.nottscc.go.uk/arts

Oxford

Back Room Poets
Tel: 018655 14699
www.myspace.com/backroompoets

Portsmouth

Tongues and Grooves
Poetry and Music. Featured poets, musicians & open mic. £1 8pm The last Sunday of every month at The Florence Arms, Florence Road, Southsea. Contact Maggie Sawkins.
Tel: 023 9273 4180
www.tongues-and-grooves.org.uk

Plymouth

The Language Club
Guest readers, support, open mic & mic. Last Sat, 7.30, £3/£2. Plymouth Arts Centre, Looe St, The Barbican Contact Tim Allen.
Tel: 01752 661339, 01752 206114
TAllenTW@aol.com 

Reading

Rising Sun Arts Centre
30 Silver St, Reading RG1 2ST
Tel: 0118 9866788
risingsun@freewire.co.uk

Sheffield

Poetry/Songwriting/Music
2nd Tue, 8.30, free. The Harlequin, Johnson St. Contact Bill Allerton.
Tel: 0114 2684732
Cybermouse@compuserve.com

St Andrews

Performance Poetry Cabaret
First Monday at The Lizard hosted by Milton Balgoni & open mic 8pm in the Lizard Lounge, The Inn, North Street, St Andrews, Scotland. Contact Milton.
Tel: 01334 652353, 07851 044922 

Stockport

Open mic & guests. Last Wed, 8, free. The Blue Cat Café, Shaw Rd, Heaton Moor.

Swansea

Dylan Thomas Centre
National Literature Centre for Wales, Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR
Tel: 01792 463980
www.dylanthomas.org

Tameside

Central Library, Old St, Ashton-under-Lyne
Tel: 0161 342 2031
information.direct@mail.tameside.gov.uk 

Toddington

Poetry Society
Readings at Shannon Hotel, Guildford Street
Tel: 01582 723500
janes@connect-2.co.uk

Wakefield

Open mic & guests. 1st Wed, 8. Interchange @ The Monkey Cafe Bar, Northgate.

Westcliff on Sea

Speakeasy
Open Mic 2nd Tue, 8pm, £2. Club Riga, 228 London Rd, Westcliff On Sea, Essex SS0 7JG (via the Cricketers pub)
Tel: 01702 393962
buffo@freenetname.co.uk

Wigan

Poetry Action
Wigan & Leigh Libraries, performances at Orwell pub, Wigan Pier, Tues. Contact Gary Boswell.
Tel: 01942 404566 

West Yorkshire

Write Angles
Reliable arts info. Newsletter, also available online. 21 Bond St, Dewsbury WF13 1AX
Tel: 01924 455555
info@yarts.co.uk
www.arts.org.uk
Opening Line
Listings & events.
www.openingline.co.uk

London

Ambit 

Ambit hosts regular events with open mic slots at a range of London venues and launches a new issue every three months at The Owl Bookshop, 207 Kentish Town Road, NW5. Join Ambit's Facebook page for up-to-date information or sign up to the mailing list. Contact Kate Pemberton.
Tel: 020 8340 3566
info@ambitmagazine.co.uk
www.ambitmagazine.co.uk 

Apples & Snakes

Major poetry event organiser. Contact George Palmer, Press & Marketing Co-ordinator, Apples & Snakes, The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8
Tel: 0845 521 3460, 020 8465 6147
george@applesandsnakes.org
www.applesandsnakes.org 

Bishopsgate Institute 

Offers concerts, talks & literary events, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2 4QH
www.bishopsgate.org.uk 

British Library 

Offers literary talks & poetry readings, 96 Euston Rd NW1 2DB. The John Ritblat Gallery ontains a permanent display of over 200 of the British Library's greatest treasures. Wheelchair access, wheelchairs available.
Tel: 020 7412 7332
www.bl.uk

Brixtongue 

South London’s premier performance poetry, showcasing young, national & international performers every other month on 2nd Saturday at Brixton Art Gallery, 35 Brixton Station Rd, SW9
Tel: 02077336957
www.brixtonartgallery.co.uk/Brixtongue.html

Calder Bookshop 

Hosts regular readings, talks, book & magazine launches Tues/Thurs 7pm £6/£4 51 The Cut, SE1
Tel: 020 7620 2900

Coffee-House Poetry 

Regular events at The Troubadour, 265 Old Brompton Rd, SW5 (Earls Court tube). Basement, no wheelchair access. Readings on Mondays  8pm–10pm £6.50/£5.50 Contact Anne-Marie Fyfe.
Tel: 02083540660
CoffPoetry@aol.com
www.coffeehousepoetry.org
www.annemariefyfe.com 

Exiled Writers Ink! 

Platform for artists living in exile in the UK, offers literature events, poetry writing workshops, mentoring & translation. Exiled Lit Cafe 1st Monday of month £4/£2 7.30pm at The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton St, WC2
Tel: 020 8458 1910
www.exiledwriters.co.uk
jennifer@exiledwriters.fsnet.co.uk 

Foyles 

Hosts regular literary events, talks, launches, author signings at The Gallery (3rd Floor) 113-119 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H
Tel: 0207 437 5660
www.foyles.co.uk 

The Lamb 

The Blue Bus poetry readings every 3rd Tues of month upstairs 94 Lamb’s Conduit St, WC1N 3LZ Contact David Miller or Keith Jebb.
Katermurr@btinternet.com
keith.jebb@beds.ac.uk 

Lauderdale House 

Hosts regular poetry events, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill N6 Wheelchair access to performance space, toilet.
Tel: 02083488716
kives@lauderdale.org.uk 

London Review Bookshop 

Hosts talks, readings, debates & discussions £6 7pm
14 Bury Place, WC1A
Tel: 02072699030
books@lrbshop.co.uk,
www.lrbshop.co.uk 

Loose Muse 

Women writers night for women writers of all genres, with two featured writers each month & open mic. Hosted by fellow poet and performer Agnes Meadows. £5/£3 8pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Poetry Café, 22 Betterton St, WC2 

Museum of London Docklands 

Hosts poetry & other literatrure events No 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 Wheelchair access
Tel: 020 7001 9844
www.museumindocklands.org.uk 

Pitshanger Poets 

Weekly workshops, readings at Questors Theatre, 12 Mattock Lane, Ealing W5 5BQ. Contact Alan Chambers.
Tel: 02085677234
nala.ques@virgin.net
www.pitshangerpoets.co.uk 

Poets Anonymous 

Meetings 1st Fri 8pm £2/£1 at the Dog & Bull pub, Surrey St, Croydon. Read your own poems or relax & listen to Poets Anonymous.
poets@poetsanon.org.uk
www.poetsanon.org.uk 

Poetry Cafe at the Poetry Society 

Basement, 22 Betterton St, WC2H 9BU
Tel: 020 7420 9880.
Exiled Writers Inc 
Guest performers exiled from their home countries & open mic. Monthly on Mon, 7.30 (doors), 8 (start), £4/£3
Tel: 020 7916 5317
www.exiledwriters.co.uk
Poetry Unplugged
Lively open mic on Tue. MC: Niall O’Sullivan. Sign up 7 for 7.30, £3.50/£2.50
Tel: 020 7240 2133
Loose Muse
Monthly on Wed, hosted by Agnes Meadows 
tall-lighthouse
Last Wed
www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk
Survivors Poetry
Guest readers & open mic. 2nd Thur, 7.30 for 8pm start £2/£1
Fourth Friday
Poetry & music, open mic 8pm
African writers
Evening hosted by Nii Parkes 3rd Fri.
The Cellar
Weekly on Sat £5/£3 8pm
The Shuffle
Last Sat 7.30pm

PoetryFilm 

Organises the UK's only regular screening events for the niche genre of PoetryFilm, showing films about poems, poems turned into films, text-based films & other short experimental work. Contact Malgorzata Kitowski to join the mailing list. Submissions are ongoing.
info@poetryfilm.org

The Poetry School 

Organises courses, workshops & special events such as masterclasses throughout London.81 Lambeth Walk, London SE11
Tel: 0207 582 1679
programme@poetryschool.com
www.poetryschool.com 

Somerset House 

Hosts literary events: poetry & prose readings, & is home to the Royal Society of Literature, Strand, WC2R 1LA
Info: www.somersethouse.org.uk 

Southbank Centre 

Literature & Spoken Word events; home to the Poetry Library Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX unstepped access by lift, braille lift controls
Tel: 020 7921 0971 (info), 020 7960 4242 (box office)
www.southbankcentre.co.uk 

Spread The Word 

Provides services & opportunities for writers of all levels at 77 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX
Tel: 020 7735 3111
info@spreadtheword.org.uk
www.spreadtheword.org.uk 

Stark Gallery 

384-386 Lee High Road, Hither Green SE12 Contact Les/Keith.
Tel: 0208 297 8279
info@talllighthouse.co.uk
www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk 

Steel Grasped Open Poetry Mic 

Guest poets every first Tuesday of each month 7.45pm at The Sir Richard Steeles, Haverstock Hill, London NW3 Contact Steve James.
Tel: 078 3750 6560
stevejames.karmalife@virgin.net 

Sundays at the Oto 

Poetry & music on third Sunday of the month £4 3pm at Café Oto, 18-22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8
Info: peter@greatworks.org.uk
www.cafeoto.co.uk 

Torriano Poets 

Torriano Meeting House, 99 Torriano Ave, Kentish Town NW5 Kentish Town Tube. Regular guest poets. Friendly scene. Sundays at 7.30pm, poets from the floor welcome. £5/£4/£3/£2 according to pocket. Wheelchair access.
Tel: 020 7267 2751
info@hearingeye.org
www.hearingeye.org
www.torriano.org

Troubadour Coffee House  

265 Old Brompton Rd SW5 (Earls Court tube). Basement, no wheelchair access. Fortnightly readings, Mon, 8 £6.50/£5.50 Contact Anne-Marie Fyfe.
Tel: 02083540660
CoffPoetry@aol.com
www.coffeehousepoetry.org
www.annemariefyfe.com

Utter! Camden 

Green Note, 106 Camden Parkway, NW1 2nd Tues of month, 7.30pm, £5. Contact Richard Tyrone Jones.
Tel: 07912539098
http://twitter.com/rtyronejones 

Waterstone's 

82 Gower Street WC1E 6EQ . We are interested in holding poetry-themed events or setting up a creative writing group. If interested, contact Emma.
Tel: 02076361577 ext.201
events@gowerst.waterstones.co.uk 

Aldeburgh Poetry Festival

5–7 Nov Contact The Poetry Trust, 9 New Cut, 
Halesworth,
Suffolk IP19 8BY
Tel: 01986 835950
01728 687 110
www.aldeburgh.co.uk
www.thepoetrytrust.org

Belfast Festival at Queen's

10–30 Oct Contact Anthony McGrath, 
25 College Gardens
, Belfast
 BT9 6BS
Tel: 028 90971197
028 90971034
r.gaston@qub.ac.uk
festival.operations@qub.ac.uk
www.belfastfestival.com

Birmingham Book Festival

5–21 Oct Contact Sara Beadle, 116 The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AA
Tel: 0121 246 2774
0121 303 2323
sara@birminghambookfestival.org
www.birminghambookfestival.org

Bournemouth Literary Festival

22–28 Oct Contact Lillian Avon
T: 01202417535
info@bournemouthliteraryfestival.co.uk
www.bournemouthliteraryfestival.co.uk

Canterbury Festival, International Study Centre

16–30 Oct Contact Rosie Turner, Festival Office, Christ Church Gate, The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent
CT1 2EE
Tel: 01227 452853
Booking: 01227 378188
info@canterburyfestival.co.uk
www.canterburyfestival.co.uk

Cheltenham Festival of Literature

8–17 Oct Contact Judith Ludenbach, The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA
Booking: 0844 576 7979
judith.ludenbach@cheltenhamfestivals.com
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Chester Literature Festival

18–31 Oct Contact Chester Festivals Ltd, 1st Floor, West Wing Offices, Chester Railway Station, Station Rd, Chester, Cheshire CH1 3NT
Tel: 01244 405605
k.seddon@chesterfestivals.co.uk
www.chesterfestivals.co.uk

Chorleywood Literature Festival

16–21 Nov Contact: The Chorleywood Bookshop, 4 New Parade, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire WD3 5NJ
Tel: 01923 283566
www.cwlitfest.org

Durham Book Festival In and Around Durham

18–28 Oct Contact Suzy O’Hara Sheader, 2 The Cottages Fowlers Yard, Back Silver Street, Durham DH1 3RA
Tel: 0191 3750763
enquiries@durhamcityarts.org.uk
www.bookfestival.org.uk

Dylan Thomas Festival

27 Oct–9 Nov Contact The Dylan Thomas Centre, Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR
Tel: 01792 463980
www.dylanthomas.com

Essex Poetry Festival

23 Sept–9 Oct Contact Derek Adams
derek@essex-poetry-festival.co.uk
www.essex-poetry-festival.co.uk

Eype Autumn 2010 'Book 'n Author' Weeks Literary Festival

18–23 Oct Contact Eype Centre for the Arts, Marco Polo House, West Bexington, Dorchester, Dorset 
DT2 9DE
Tel: 013089 898420
mark@eypechurcharts.co.uk
www.eypechurcharts.co.uk

Folkstone Book Festival

5–13 Nov Contact The Creative Foundation, The Block, 65-69 Tontine St, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1JR
Tel: 01303 858500
Roberta@creativefoundation.org.uk
www.folkestonelitfest.co.uk

Guildford Book Festival

14–23 Oct Contact Glenis Pycraft, C/o Tourist Information Centre, 14 Tunsgate, Guildford GU1 3QT
Tel: 01483 444334
director@guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

Ilkley Literature Festival

1–17 Oct Contact Rachel Feldberg, The Manor House, 2 Castle Hill, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 9DT  Tel: 01943 601210
Booking: 01943 816714
admin@ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk
www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

26th King's Lynn Poetry Festival

24 Sept–26 Sept
featuring readings from Jo Shapcott, Selima Hill, Kit Wright, Penelope Shuttle & Dannie Abse, plus an event chaired by John Fuller on the life and poems of Peter Porter. Contact Thoresby College, South Quay, King's Lynn, PE30 1HX
www.lynnlitfests.com

Knutsford Literature Festival

8–24 Oct Contact Charlotte Peters Rock, 76 Glebelands Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 69D
Tel: 0156 572 2738
knutsfordlitfest@yahoo.co.uk
www.knutsfordlitfest.org

Lancaster Litfest

15– 24 Oct Contact Litfest, PO Box 751, Lancaster LA1 1YQ
Tel: 01524 62166
www.litfest.org

Larkin25

A season of events & exhibitions commemorating the life & work of Philip Larkin 12 June–2 Dec Further info:
www.larkin25.co.uk

Manchester Literature Festival

14–25 Oct Contact Cathy Bolton, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester M4 6JG
Tel: 0161 236 5555
admin@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

Mere Literary Festival

11–17 Oct Contact Adrienne Howell, Lawrence’s Old Hollow, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6EG Tel: 01747 860475, info@merelitfest.co.uk, www.merelitfest.co.uk
Morley Literature Festival, Leeds 11–17 October 2010 Contact Jill Morris, c/o Morley Town Hall, Morley, Leeds LS27 9DY
Tel: 0113 2474370
jill@morleyliteraturefestival.co.uk
www.morleyliteraturefestival.co.uk

Off the Shelf Festival

9–30 Oct Contact Off the Shelf Festival of Writing & Reading, Arts Team, Culture, Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 1XZ
Tel: 0114 273 4716
0114 273 4400
offtheshelf@sheffield.gov.uk
www.offtheshelf.org.uk

Poole Literary Festival

29–31 Oct Contact Sue Luminati, 14 Dover Road, Branksome Park, Poole BH13 6DZ
Tel 01202 768993
admin@poolelitfest.com
www.poolelitfest.com

Southwold/Ways With Words Literature Festival

11–15 Nov Contact Kay Dunbar, Ways with Words, Droridge Farm, Dartington, Totnes Devon TQ9 6JQ
Tel: 01803 867373
admin@wayswithwords.co.uk
www.wayswithwords.co.uk

Torbay Poetry Festival

28 Oct–1 Nov Contact Festival Office, 6 The Mount, Furzeham, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8QY
Tel: 01803 851098
PWOxley@aol.co.uk
www.torbaypoetryfestival.co.uk

UEA International Literature Festival

Oct–Dec Contact The Arthur Miller Centre, Lecture Theatre 1, University of East Anglia, Norwich
Booking:
01603508050
www.uea.ac.uk/litfest

Wells Festival of Literature

8–15 Oct Contact Wells Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Wells BA5 1SE 
Tel: 01749 672552
touristinfo@wells.gov.uk
www.wlitf.co.uk

September

The Poetry Society Stanza Competition

Exclusive to Poetry Society members who are also members of a Poetry Society Stanza. 40 lines maximum. Max 2 poems per person. Judge Sheenagh Pugh. The winner will be published in Poetry News and on the Poetry Society website. The winner also receives a free Poetry Prescription or a year's Poetry Society Membership (or equivalent). 2 Runners-Up will be published on the website and featured in Poetry News. All 3 will receive a selection of poetry books. No entry fee. Contact: Stanza Competition, The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX
Tel: 020 8420 9881
membership@poetrysociety.org.uk
www.poetrysociety.org.uk
Closing date: 10 September 2010

Esoteric Poetry Competition

Sponsored by the Cambridge Centre for the study of Western Esotericism in conjunction with Heffer's bookshop Cambridge, and Waterloo Press. For poems of no more than eight lines. The Judges are Daniel Healy, Helen Ivory & Jon Woodson. First prize £300. Entry fee £3.10 for first poem. Contact Sophia Wellbeloved
esotericpoetry@googlemail.com
www.ccwe.wordpress.com
Closing date: 15 September 2010

Camden History Poetry Competition

Poems must be inspired by items in the collections of Camden Local Studies and Archives Centre, 2nd Floor, Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8PA (Open: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5). First prize £300, second £150, third £75. Entry forms available at the Centre. No entry fee. Entrants must be 18 or over. Contact Tudor Allen
020 7974 6349
www.camden.gov.uk
Closing date: 30 September 2010

Decanto Poetry Competition 2010

For poems of up to 50 lines on any subject and in any style. First prize one year's Decanto subscription plus 3 copies of the December edition, a featured section in Decanto, including the winning poem, along with biography and photograph of the poet. 
Entry fee £2 per poem. Make cheques payable to Miss L. Stewart. Contact Masque Publishing, PO Box 3257, Littlehampton BN16 9AF
masque_pub@btinternet.com
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/masquepublishing
Closing date: 30 September 2010

October

Second Light Poetry Competition

Prizes in all categories. Judge Myra Schneider. Entry fee for long poems (over 50 lines) £6 per poem, for short poems (under 50 lines) £4, £8 for 3, £12 for 8. Cheque payable to Second Light. Send to Dilys Wood, 9 Green Dale Close, London SE22 8TG
www.secondlightlive.co.uk
Closing date: 1 October 2010

Genomics Forum Poetry Competition 2010

The Forum announces a new writing competition for poets in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library for poems of no more than 50 lines on the theme of ‘improving the human’. Entrants can only submit one poem. No entry fee. First prize is £500, second prize is £200 and third prize is £100. The judges are Gwyneth Lewis (Wales’s National Poet 2005-06), Peggy Hughes at the Scottish Poetry Library and Professor Steve Yearley (director of the Genomics Forum). Send your poems to pippa.goldschmidt@ed.ac.uk. Please send your poem as an attachment to your email, and ensure that the attachment contains only the poem and poem title (if using a title) but no other identification. In the body of the email, please list your name, contact details and poem title (or first line of poem, if you do not wish to give it a title). Info:
www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/esrcgenomicsnetwork/news/latestnews/title,23732,en.html
Closing date: 7 October 2010

4th Annual Troubadour International Poetry Prize 2010

Judges Gwyneth Lewis & Maurice Riordan. Both judges will read all poems. 1st prize £1000, 2nd £500, 3rd £250, plus 20 at £20 each plus Spring 2011 Coffee-House Poetry Season Ticket plus prizewinners' Coffee-House Poetry reading with Maurice Riordan & Gwyneth Lewis for all winning poets on Monday 29th November 2010 at the Troubadour. Further details:
www.coffeehousepoetry.org/poems
Closing date: 15 October 2010

Hastings International Poetry Competition 2010

For poems of up to 50 lines. First prize £150. Adjudicator Josephine Austin. Entry fee £2 per poem. Contact Josphine Austin, The Snoring Cat, 194 Downs Road, Hastings TN34 2DZ
Closing date: 15 October 2010

Indigo Dreams Press Annual Poetry Awards 2010

First prize is £125, second £50, third £25. Adjudicators are Ronnie Goodyer & Dawn Bauling. Entry fee £3 per poem, £10 per 4 poems, £22 per 10 poems. Contact Indigo Dreams, 132 Hinckley Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4LN 
Queries with SAE to above address or publishing@indigodreams.co.uk
 Further info:
www.indigodreams.co.uk
Closing date: 15 October 2010

Old Possum’s Children’s Poetry Competition 2010

Roger McGough is to chair the judging panel for a worldwide poetry competition for 7-11 year olds. The Competition is organised by the Children’s Poetry Bookshelf, a poetry book club for young people run by the Poetry Book Society. To link with National Poetry Day on Thursday 7 October, children will be asked to write a poem in English on the theme of ‘Home’. The competition is open to individuals and schools. No entry fee. Cash prizes of £250 for first prize, £100 for second and £50 for third will be awarded, along with books and CPB memberships, in two age groups, 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds.
www.childrenspoetrybookshelf.co.uk
Closing date: 15 October 2010

The Big Scribble

For poems on the theme of home. Max 40 lines. Prize is Publication in the Big Issue in the North with interview and on website. Other prizes to be announced. Judge is Peter Kalu. Entry fee is £3 minimum donation. Contact The Big Scribble, 10 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JN

Jane.logan@thebiglifecompany.com
www.justgiving.com/bigscribble
Closing date: 18 October 2010

National Poetry Competition 2010

Now in its 33rd year, the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious poetry competitions. The judges this year are poets George Szirtes, Deryn Rees-Jones & Sinéad Morrissey. The prizes are £5000 for the overall winner, £2000 for the second, £1000 for the third and seven commendations of £100. Winners' work published in the Poetry Society’s leading international journal, Poetry Review. For poems of up to 40 lines. Entry fee £6 for the first poem, £3 for subsequent poems. Contact The Poetry Society, 
22 Betterton Street,
 London,
WC2H 9BX Further info:
www.poetrysociety.org.uk
Closing date: 31 October 2010

Plough Prize for Poetry 2010

Entries are invited in three categories: Open Poem (up to 40 lines) Short Poem (up to 10 lines) Poem for Children (length unrestricted). Entry fee £4 per poem, block of four entries £14, thereafter £3.50 each. Contact The Plough Prize, The Plough Arts Centre, 9-11 Fore Street, Torrington EX38 8HQ
www.theploughprize.co.uk
Closing date: 31 October 2010

Sonnet or Not - Cannon Poets 2010 Competition

The theme is 'Sonnet or Not'. Entries should be 14 line poems that in some way reflect the sonnet form. For more information, see the website. Entry fee £4 for the first poem and £2.50 for each additional poem. Contact Cannon Poets 2010 Competition, 22 Margaret Grove, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9JH Info:
www.cannonpoets.co.uk
Closing date: 31 October 2010

November

Carillon Magazine Open Poetry Competition 2010

For poems of 15-30 lines. First prize £80. Entry fee £2 for one or three entries for £4. Contact Graham Rippon, 19 Godric Drive, Brinsworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S60 5AN Info:
www.carillonmag.org.uk
Closing date: 1 November 2010

Rubies in the Darkness Autumn Poetry Competition

Competition judge is poet and editor of 'Rubies in the Darkness' Peter Geoffrey Paul Thompson. Book prizes for top 3. Entry fee £3 per poem. Please make cheques payable to P.G. Thompson. Contact 41 Grantham Road, Manor Park, London E12 5LZ
Closing date: 1 November 2010

Bedford Open Poetry Competition 2010-2011

For poems of up to 50 lines. First prize £300. Final judge Lucy Newlyn. Entry fee £3 per poem. Contact Bedford Open Poetry Competition, 38 Verne Drive, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2PS
www.interpretershouse.org.uk
Closing date: 14 November 2010

Iota Shots Pamphlet Prizes

Iota launches three new prizes for shorter poetry pamphlets to be published by the Templar Poetry imprint. Poets are invited to submit 12-16 pages of poetry, with no more than 40 lines of text per page. This is an international competition and both postal and online submissions are welcome. The postal submission fee is £14.50 payable to Iota and the online fee is £15.50. Judge is Templar Poetry Editor Alex McMillen. Three prizes: three winning submissions will be published as Iota Shot Pamphlets by Templar Poetry. Each of the winning poets will receive £100 and 100 copies of their pamphlet. All poets who submit will receive a complimentary Templar Poetry Pamphlet. Postal submissions should be addressed to Iota Shots, PO BOX 7721, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 9DD, UK Online submissions to
iotashots@iotamagazine.co.uk
www.iotamagazine.co.uk
www.templarpoetry.co.uk
Closing date: 14 November 2010

Poetry Business 2010 Book & Pamphlet Competition

Entrants are invited to submit a collection of 20-24 pages of poems. This year's judge is Simon Armitage, and the competition is sponsored by NAWE (The National Association for Writers in Education). Entrants with a Sheffield postcode are automatically entered into the Sheffield Poetry Prize category. The best single poem from their collection could win them £100, publication in The North magazine and on the website, and an opportunity to read their winning poem at a Poetry Business reading. Entry fee £25, or £20 for North subscribers and Friends of the Poetry Business. Contact The Competition Administrator, The Poetry Business, Bank Street Arts, 32-40 Bank Street, Sheffield S1 2DS
www.poetrybusiness.co.uk
Closing date: 29 November 2010

Café Writers Open Poetry Competition 2010

For poems of up to 40 lines. Sole judge Michael Symmons Roberts. First prize £1000. Prizes for funniest poems and Norfolk resident. Entry fee £4 per poem or £10 for three poems and £2 per poem thereafter. Contact Café Writers Poetry Competition, 17 Wingfield Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 3HF
www.cafewriters.org.uk
Closing date: 30 November 2010

Grist Writing Competition 2010

For short stories of up to 3,500 words, poems up to 40 lines. Judges are Helen Simson (Short story) and Lemn Sissay (Poetry). First prize £500, second £250, third £100, plus publication for all shortlisted writers. Entry fee £5. Contact The School of Music, Humanities and Media, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH
www.hud.ac.uk/grist
Closing date: 30 November 2010

New Writer Prose & Poetry Prizes 2010

Three categories: fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Over £2000 total prize money. Poetry category is for single poems of up to 40 lines and collections of between 6-10 poems. Entry fee £5 for up to two single poems, £12 per collection. Contact The New Writer, PO Box 60, Cranbrook TN17 2ZR
Tel: 01580 212626
admin@thenewwriter.com
www.thenewwriter.com
Closing date: 30 November 2010

December

Prole Poetry Competition

In search of Prole Laureate 2011 this competition is open to all styles and forms of poetry. First prize £100 and publication in Prole poetry and prose, two runner-up prizes of £30. Judged by Prole editors. Entry fee £3 for first poem, £2 for subsequent poems. Entry by post or email. Further info:
www.prolebooks.co.uk
Closing date: 24 December 2010

Fish Poetry Prize 2011

There is no restriction on the theme of poems, but there is a word limit of 200. Entry fee is 14 Euros for online entries, 16 Euros for postal entries. Contact Fish Publishing, Durrus, Bantry, Co.Cork, Ireland or
info@fishpublishing.com
www.fishpublishing.com/writing-contest-competition.php
Closing date: 31 December 2010

Grace Dieu Writers' Circle 2011 Short Story & Poetry Competition

Poetry competition for poems of up to 40 lines. First prize £400, second £200, third £75, fourth £50, fifth £25. Entry fee £4 for one poem or £12 for 4, £2 for each additional entry over four. Contact The Competition Organiser, 23 Henson Way, Sharnford, Leicestershire, LE10 3PN
www.gracedieuwriterscircle.co.uk
Closing date: 31 December 2010

Kent & Sussex Poetry Society Open Poetry Competition

Judge Jo Shapcott. £1550 in prizes. Entry fee £4 per poem. Contact The Competition Organiser, 26 Courtlands, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5AS
www.kentandsussexpoetrysociety.org
Closing date: 31 December 2010

Larkin and East Riding Poetry Prize 2011

Judge Douglas Dunn. Prize money is £2000. Entry fee £3 for each poem. For further information and to download a competition leaflet visit
www.bridlington-poetry-festival.com
Closing date: 31 December 2010

Rossica Translation Prize 2011

Literary work must be written in Russian by any author, present or past, and published in English in 2009 and 2010. The prize is open to works published in any country. The value of the prize is £5,000 divided between the winning translator and the publisher. No entry fee. Contact Academia Rossica, 76 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TX
Tel: 020 7287 2614
www.academia-rossica.org
Closing date: 31 December 2010

Torriano Poetry Competition

For poems of up to 40 lines. Adjudicators Wendy French & Maggie Butt. First prize £250, second £150, third £75. Winning poets will be offered feature readings at the adjudication. Entry fee £3 for one poem, £5 for two, £10 for five. Cheques payable to the Torriano Support Fund. Entries should be sent to Pat Griffin, 4 Cundishall Close, Whitstable, Kent CT5 4DA or
june.english@btinternet.com
Closing date: 31 December 2010

January

Mayor’s Poetry Competition

The competition aims to attract entries from all over the world and is open to anyone aged over 16, young poets, new poets and established poets. Prizes of £500 for the winner, £200 second and £100 for third place. A special £50 prize for the best poem about Enfield. Entry is £3 per poem, £10 for four. Additional poems are £2 per entry. Judge is acclaimed poet and scientist Mario Petrucci. A list of winners will be displayed on www.enfield.gov.uk and www.chela.co.uk/poetry.php. Cheques should be made payable to The Mayor’s Charity Appeal sent together with entry to The Mayor’s Poetry Competition, Enfield Council, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield EN1 3XJ For full entry details call:
020 8379 1461
www.enfield.gov.uk
Closing date: 31 January 2011

February

Lumen/Camden Poetry Competition

For poems up to 40 lines. Judge Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate. Proceeds to the Cold Weather Shelter. Pamphlet publication of winner's poems, 50 free copies plus reading. Entry fee £2.50 per poem, 6 poems £10. Submissions and cheques to Ruth O'Callaghan, 49 Ripley Gardens, Mortlake London SW14 8HF Online entry via
www.wardwoodpublishing.co.uk
Closing date: 14 February 2011