Everything you need to know before entering the Happiful Poetry Prize
General
- The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over at the time of entering.
- Entries are free.
- Entrants must be based in the UK or NI.
- The deadline for entries is 23:59 Monday 18 November 2024.
- Only one entry per person is permitted.
- Once submitted, no changes can be made to your entry.
- Use of artificial intelligence to create your poem is not permitted.
- Entries must be submitted through the online submissions form. Postal entries or poems submitted via any other means will not be accepted.
- The judges read all the entries, and their decision is final. Neither the judges nor other staff at Happiful will enter into any correspondence.
- No current employee, or paid freelancer currently working with Happiful, is eligible to enter.
Your entry
- All entries are judged anonymously. The poet’s name must not appear on the poem document itself.
- All poems must have a title and must not exceed 25 lines in length (excluding title).
- Entries must include their full name, address, and a short biography (no more than 50 words) with their entry.
- Poems must be on the topic of mental health or wellbeing. Poems without a clear link to the topic will not be considered.
- Poems must be written in English.
- Poems must be the writer’s original work. AI-generated work is prohibited.
Winner and shortlisters
- The winner and four shortlisted writers will be notified by the end of February 2025.
- The winner will receive £100, paid via bank transfer. The four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token each.
- The copyright of each poem remains with the author. However, authors of the winning poems, by entering the competition, grant Happiful the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poem in its print and digital magazine, and on its digital and social media platforms.
Enter the Happiful Poetry Prize 2025.