Former Poet Laureate Launches Schools Poetry Competition
15 January 2021
Former Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy is today launching a new poetry competition to inspire children and young people to use their imagination and get creative.
Former Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy is today launching a new poetry competition to inspire children and young people to use their imagination and get creative.
Dame Carol Ann Duffy is helping to launch the Schools Poetry Competition after today hosting a talk and poetry reading for over 500 children from across Lincolnshire and surrounding areas.
In partnership with the University of Lincoln, The Schools Poetry Competition is open to poets in the following four age categories (at time of entry): 9-11 years, 12-14 years, 15-16 years, 17-18 years. Submitted poems could take any format: sonnet, haiku, couplet or free verse. They could be narrative or epic.
Poems must be no longer than 500 words (not including title). Budding poets from the UK and around the world are invited to submit their poems to the competition on the theme of the Covid-19 pandemic. Poets are encouraged to express freely their interpretations and experiences, whether they be positive or negative.
The competition will be judged by Dame Carol Ann Duffy, Former Poet Laureate and Visiting Artist at the University of Lincoln, as well as Professor Jason Whittaker, Head of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln. Poets are encouraged to submit their entries by email to competitions@lincoln.ac.uk.
The competition is now open and will close on March 1st, 2021. There will be winners and runners-up prizes such as a signed Dame Carol Ann Duffy book as well as £20 in Amazon vouchers.
Professor Jason Whittaker, Head of English and Journalism at the University of Lincoln and competition judge, said: “We are delighted that Dame Carol Ann Duffy is helping us launch this competition for young poets. The arts have helped many of us to stay positive during these times, and we can’t wait to read the competition entries of so many talented young poets in the UK and around the world.
“We want young people to use their imaginations, be honest and free in expressing themselves through poetry. These are extra-ordinary times but often that can spark brilliant art and sometimes just give people the encouragement they need to create and enjoy poetry or indeed any art form.”
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