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the Poetry kit
ISSN
1468-3075
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THE POETRY KIT NEWSLETTER July 2026 |
NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
1 - Editors Notes
Submitting information to The Poetry Kit
To enable the contents and usefulness of the Poetry Kit Newsletter to grow we put it out as an attachment. It will still arrive every month in an email but the bulk of the newsletter itself will be in the attachment. To submit information for inclusion in any area of The Poetry Kit including the Newsletter please see submission details at
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Regular Open Mic Events in the UK
Some face to face poetry events have not restarted. Please check before turning up.
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COMPETITIONS CLOSING SOON - OTHER COMPETITIONS CAN BE FOUND AT
http://www.poetrykit.org/comps.htm
| 14th July 2026 |
1st £100 entry £2 |
A project in memory of the late Robin Lloyd-Jones. In
conjunction with a number of other organisations for whom Robin
campaigned, including Scottish PEN, and the FWS, Dove Tales is
holding a poetry competition about the effects of war on the
environment and how wars are being justified by leaders fighting
not for principle but for control of the earth's resources. |
| 15th July 2026 |
1st £300 entry £5 |
The Shelley Memorial Poetry Competition 2026 Closing date: Wed 15 Jul 2026 The theme of the 2026 competition is Liberty. Judge: Performance poet, Bassie Gracie First Prize : £ 300 Second Prize : £ 200 nn Third Prize: £ 100 The Sussex Cup will be awarded to the best poem from a Sussex-based poet See https://www.shelleymemorialproject.co.uk/competition-2026 |
| 15th July 2026 |
1st £1000 entry £10 |
The New Writers Poetry Competition 2026 Now open to poets anywhere in the world. Poets may submit poems of up to 42 lines. Entries must be previously unpublished, written in the English language, and can be on any theme or subject. There should be no potentially libellous material contained within any entries or anything that is under copyright. There is a cash prize of £1,000 for first prize, and four runners-up prizes of £100 each. The top five poets will also have their poems published on the New Writers website and in the next issue of the New Writers Anthology. Judge: JLM Morton see - New Writers Poetry Competition 2026 - NewWriters.org.uk | 15 July 2026 Deadline |
| 28th July 2026 |
1st £300 entry £4 |
The Morecambe Poetry Festival competition Now open to poets worldwide, welcoming poems on any and every subject. Judge: Jackie Kay First prize: £300 Second prize: £125 Third prize: £25 In addition, entrants living in a LA3 or LA4 postcode will be eligible for a local prize of £50. Open to poets aged 16 and over. See Morecambe Poetry Competition 2026 – Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists |
| 29th July 2026 |
1st £100 entry free |
The Green Dragon Guild Poetry Prize 2026 Now open for submissions on the theme of “Chimeras”. This competition is open to UK‑based fantasy or historical‑fiction authors or poets writing original lyrics suitable for musical setting. Previously published or unpublished works may be entered. Works should be an appropriate length for setting to approximately 3 minutes of music. The winning poet will receive a cash prize of £100 and will have their work set to music by composer David Yardley, which will performed by professional musicians at the “Of Carols & Chimeras” concert on Friday, 20th of November 2026. Judging Panel: Anne Casey, Lucy Holland, Vic James, and David Yardley. See Green Dragon Guild of London Poetry Prize 2026 - The Music of David Yardley |
| 31st July 2026 |
1st £1000 entry £7 |
Winchester Poetry Prize 2026 Poems entered can be on any theme, and in any form. They must be under 40 lines and written in English. Entries are accepted via email or post. 1st prize: £1000 2nd prize: £500 3rd prize: £250 Judge: Julia Copus The Kathryn Bevis Prize will be awarded for the best poem entered by a Hampshire-based poet. The longlist will be announced mid September, with winners announced live at a special prize-giving ceremony as part of Winchester Poetry Day at The ARC, Winchester on Saturday 10 October 2026. See https://www.winchesterpoetryfestival.org/prize |
| 31st July 2026 |
1st Publication entry £5 |
The Mills Archive Trust Inviting submissions of unpublished, original poems on the theme of “Milling.” Poems must be previously unpublished, written in the English language, and not exceed 40 lines. Winning entries will be featured in the official newsletter, across social media, and published in the November issue of the bi-annual magazine, Mill Memories. Judge: Dr Katherine Meehan See Poetry Competition – The Mills Archive |
| 31st July 2026 |
1st Publication entry £12.50 |
Overton Poetry Prize The Department of English at Loughborough University is offering a prize for a sequence of poems in memory of Professor Bill Overton (1946-2012). Poems entered can be on any subject and be up to 300 lines. Publication of the winning sequence in chapbook form (100 copies, of which 50 go to the winning poet). Judge: Dr Kerry Featherstone and Elvire Roberts See Overton Poetry Prize | English | Loughborough University |
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| NEW SHORT COURSES | SHORT COURSES | OTHER COURSES | ||
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Starting 1 August 2026 Summer School: Exploring Poetry Our popular five-week Summer School explores
the rich diversity of 21st-century poetry. Through guided
exercises, tutorials, and constructive feedback, you'll
experiment with new styles, discover fresh approaches to
writing, and develop skills that will continue to benefit your
work long after the course ends. You'll also undertake a personal poetry
project, receiving support to identify and build on your
strengths as a writer. Course length: 5 weeks (online) Fee: £45 Book here:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DL4U7KBE3H9NN Returning Student Discount If you've taken any of our previous courses,
you can join for just £30. Discount booking:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=H88BLH9Z73ZEY |
Click link below for a list of all available short courses
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MENTORING Our most popular course is the longer
mentoring programme. This lasts from 3 to 6 months
depending on response times from the participant. All
mentoring is with Jim Bennett and is individually designed to
meet the needs of the participant. The cost of this is
£110 but places are limited. For further details or to
enrol for this course, go to
mentoring (poetrykit.org)
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For a more complete listing of courses and availability please see