May 31, 2026 3:41 pm – 3:41 pm
The Welsh Poetry Competition – International Poetry Book Awards 2026 is organised by Poetry Book Awards, a Welsh-based, international book awards programme celebrating outstanding book-length poetry collections by independent authors, self-published writers, and small press publishers. The awards are open to poets worldwide writing in English and aim to increase recognition for independent poetry publications.
Entrants submit a physical printed poetry book or pamphlet published in English that is still in print; unpublished manuscripts are not accepted. Books must be under 200 pages, authored by a single living poet (anthologies and translations are not eligible). Entrants may submit multiple eligible titles in a year, with each entry requiring a separate fee. Books entered are donated after judging to local libraries and bookshops in south Wales.
The competition is international, open to poets of any nationality provided the work meets the language and print requirements. Entries are judged by a panel of experienced poets and literary professionals appointed by the organisers, with multiple cash prizes awarded annually.
Prizes:
- 1st Prize: £800
- 2nd Prize: £400
- 3rd Prize: £200
Winners also get:
- Amazon & Goodreads reviews
- Earn recognition by having an award-winning book
- Certificate, logo to use on books and future work
- Your book cover & link on the organizer’s website
- All books are donated to local libraries/local bookshop/free bookshop after the awards, so you get more publicity
Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.
FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.
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