16-25 Poetry Competition
Email your entry to:
Are you aged 16-25 and writing poetry? Enter our competition and help us celebrate poetry - on the page and the spoken word.
Why take part
This is about creating space for new voices. Whether you’re just starting out or already writing regularly, this is a chance to:
share your work
build confidence
be part of a wider creative community
What you can submit
Written poems (page poetry)
Spoken word (video or performance-based work)
Up to 2 poems per person
What happens next
A small number of poets will be shortlisted and invited to:
perform or present their work live at Eastbourne LitFest (25-27 September 2026)
be part of the official festival programme
connect with other writers and performers
Submission Guidelines & Terms
The competition is open to:
writers aged 16-25 at the time of submission
writers of all levels of experience
Note: entrants under 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian to submit and to participate in festival events if shortlisted. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must complete our online consent form before submitting your entry.
Eligibility
Trustees of Eastbourne LitFest, members of the judging panel and anyone directly involved in administering or judging the competition are not eligible to enter. Immediate family members of judges are also not eligible to enter.
Length & format
Maximum 40 lines per poem (or 3 minutes for spoken word)
Written poems: submit as a PDF or Word document
Spoken word: submit as a video file or link that the organisers can access
Your entry should include a process note: 2-3 sentences about your poem - what inspired it, or how you wrote it.
Originality rules
All work must be your own original writing
Poems generated wholly or substantially using AI tools are not eligible
Poems submitted must not have been previously published, self-published or have won another competition.
By submitting, you confirm that the work is your own
Shortlisting
A small number of poets will be shortlisted. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified by Monday 7 September 2026
Shortlisted entrants will be invited to perform or present their work live at the festival.
Shortlisted poets may be asked to briefly discuss their work as part of the process.
Entry fee
The competition is free to enter.
Deadline
Monday 31 August 2026, 11.59pm
Prize
The winner will receive a cash prize of £50. One runner up will receive £25.
Copyright and Permissions
By submitting, you give permission for your work to be:
considered for inclusion in the festival programme
shared in festival publicity, including on our website (with full credit) if shortlisted. The copyright remains with the author.
IMPORTANT: If you submit your spoken word entry by video, you must confirm you give us permission to view and share with other members of the festival team. If you are under 18, you must parent / guardian consent to enter.
Parent/Guardian Consent (for entrants under 18)
If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must complete our online consent form before submitting your entry.
Whether you write for the page, the stage, or somewhere in between, we want to hear from you.
This is an open call for bold, original work - whatever matters to you.
No theme, no overthinking. Just your voice, your words, your way.
We’re looking for poetry that feels real, thoughtful, surprising or powerful - in whatever form that takes.
We’re not looking for perfection - we’re looking for your voice.
Write what matters to you.
Safeguarding & data
personal data will be handled in line with our safeguarding and data protection policies
full policies will be available on our website
A final note
We’re not looking for perfection - we’re looking for your voice.
Write what matters to you.