Forward Prizes for Poetry
@forwardprizes.bsky.social
The best new poetry published in the UK & Ireland
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The 2025 #ForwardPrizes has launched! Is there a better way to start the year?
We are now accepting submissions for all categories. Publishers, journals, competitions, event producers and performance poets - deadline is 16th March! 📅
🔗 Entry terms and how to submit here: https://buff.ly/3BTX8AR
We are now accepting submissions for all categories. Publishers, journals, competitions, event producers and performance poets - deadline is 16th March! 📅
🔗 Entry terms and how to submit here: https://buff.ly/3BTX8AR
Only one week until the shortlist readings & winner announcements at Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025. Don’t miss it! buff.ly/Pp7BLtv #ForwardPrizes #LondonLiteratureFestival #Poetry
Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 | Southbank Centre
The UK's largest arts centre & the heart of London's cultural life.
buff.ly
October 19, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Only one week until the shortlist readings & winner announcements at Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025. Don’t miss it! buff.ly/Pp7BLtv #ForwardPrizes #LondonLiteratureFestival #Poetry
🚨 One week to go! 🚨
Join us 25 Oct @SouthbankCentre for Next Verse: A Young Poets’ Summit Showcase.
A celebration of poetry, craft + community with the UK’s most exciting young voices.
🎟️ From £10. Ages 14+.
Join us 25 Oct @SouthbankCentre for Next Verse: A Young Poets’ Summit Showcase.
A celebration of poetry, craft + community with the UK’s most exciting young voices.
🎟️ From £10. Ages 14+.
Next Verse: A Young Poets' Summit Showcase | Southbank Centre
The UK's largest arts centre & the heart of London's cultural life.
buff.ly
October 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🚨 One week to go! 🚨
Join us 25 Oct @SouthbankCentre for Next Verse: A Young Poets’ Summit Showcase.
A celebration of poetry, craft + community with the UK’s most exciting young voices.
🎟️ From £10. Ages 14+.
Join us 25 Oct @SouthbankCentre for Next Verse: A Young Poets’ Summit Showcase.
A celebration of poetry, craft + community with the UK’s most exciting young voices.
🎟️ From £10. Ages 14+.
Meet the Poets continues! We’re now moving into our next category: the Forward Prize for Best Collection. First up is Juana Adcock, whose collection I Sugar the Bones (@outspokenldn) is shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Forward Prize. 🔗 buff.ly/ZakZSOE
September 19, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Meet the Poets continues! We’re now moving into our next category: the Forward Prize for Best Collection. First up is Juana Adcock, whose collection I Sugar the Bones (@outspokenldn) is shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Forward Prize. 🔗 buff.ly/ZakZSOE
Poetry lovers, this one’s for you! ✨📚 Join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage for the Forward Prizes Showcase, where boundary-pushing poets take the stage to share work that’s bold, brilliant, and unforgettable.
🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbccslfest @bbcarts
🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbccslfest @bbcarts
September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Poetry lovers, this one’s for you! ✨📚 Join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage for the Forward Prizes Showcase, where boundary-pushing poets take the stage to share work that’s bold, brilliant, and unforgettable.
🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbccslfest @bbcarts
🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbccslfest @bbcarts
Don’t miss the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage — a celebration of the most vital voices in contemporary poetry. Step into an afternoon of powerful performances from poets featured in the 2025 Forward Book of Poetry. 🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
September 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Don’t miss the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage — a celebration of the most vital voices in contemporary poetry. Step into an afternoon of powerful performances from poets featured in the 2025 Forward Book of Poetry. 🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
Rounding off our Meet the Poets series for Best Single Poem – Written is Nick Makoha, shortlisted for ‘Codex©’. Fusing personal history, diaspora, and artistic legacy, this poem is a meditative reflection on identity, memory, and cultural ownership. buff.ly/gi3JNZr
September 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Rounding off our Meet the Poets series for Best Single Poem – Written is Nick Makoha, shortlisted for ‘Codex©’. Fusing personal history, diaspora, and artistic legacy, this poem is a meditative reflection on identity, memory, and cultural ownership. buff.ly/gi3JNZr
Next up in the series is Claire Lynn, shortlisted for her poem ‘Live Stream’. This poem is a quiet meditation on observation, community, and the rhythms of care—both human and wild.
Read the full interview via this link: buff.ly/ZCYcNDQ
Read the full interview via this link: buff.ly/ZCYcNDQ
September 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Next up in the series is Claire Lynn, shortlisted for her poem ‘Live Stream’. This poem is a quiet meditation on observation, community, and the rhythms of care—both human and wild.
Read the full interview via this link: buff.ly/ZCYcNDQ
Read the full interview via this link: buff.ly/ZCYcNDQ
There’s still time to join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage! 🎉📖 The event celebrates the best new poetry from the Forward Prizes 2025. Book your free tickets & see the full festival lineup here:
🔗 buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbcarts @bbccslfest
🔗 buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbcarts @bbccslfest
September 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
There’s still time to join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage! 🎉📖 The event celebrates the best new poetry from the Forward Prizes 2025. Book your free tickets & see the full festival lineup here:
🔗 buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbcarts @bbccslfest
🔗 buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbcarts @bbccslfest
Next up is Tim Tim Cheng, shortlisted for their poem ‘Girl Ghosts’, blending memory, myth, and migration. The poem is a polyvocal exploration of girlhood, cultural inheritance, and the fractured stories passed down through generations. Full interview: buff.ly/tIUjmao
September 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Next up is Tim Tim Cheng, shortlisted for their poem ‘Girl Ghosts’, blending memory, myth, and migration. The poem is a polyvocal exploration of girlhood, cultural inheritance, and the fractured stories passed down through generations. Full interview: buff.ly/tIUjmao
REMINDER! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
The Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 🎉
📅 Sunday 26 October | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/for...
#ForwardPrizes #PoetryLive #SouthbankCentre #UKPoetry #PoetryAwards #SpokenWord
The Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 🎉
📅 Sunday 26 October | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/for...
#ForwardPrizes #PoetryLive #SouthbankCentre #UKPoetry #PoetryAwards #SpokenWord
September 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
REMINDER! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
The Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 🎉
📅 Sunday 26 October | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/for...
#ForwardPrizes #PoetryLive #SouthbankCentre #UKPoetry #PoetryAwards #SpokenWord
The Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 🎉
📅 Sunday 26 October | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/for...
#ForwardPrizes #PoetryLive #SouthbankCentre #UKPoetry #PoetryAwards #SpokenWord
We are proud to reannounce the exceptional shortlist for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, celebrating the finest in contemporary poetry.
Congratulations once again to all the poets and publishers!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
Congratulations once again to all the poets and publishers!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
September 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM
We are proud to reannounce the exceptional shortlist for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, celebrating the finest in contemporary poetry.
Congratulations once again to all the poets and publishers!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
Congratulations once again to all the poets and publishers!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
We are excited to reintroduce the powerful shortlist for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection, honouring remarkable debut voices in poetry.
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
September 8, 2025 at 8:10 AM
We are excited to reintroduce the powerful shortlist for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection, honouring remarkable debut voices in poetry.
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes
We are thrilled to share once again the outstanding shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Performed category
Huge congratulations again to all!
🔗 Full shortlist: forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-priz...
#ForwardPrizes
Huge congratulations again to all!
🔗 Full shortlist: forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-priz...
#ForwardPrizes
September 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We are thrilled to share once again the outstanding shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Performed category
Huge congratulations again to all!
🔗 Full shortlist: forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-priz...
#ForwardPrizes
Huge congratulations again to all!
🔗 Full shortlist: forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-priz...
#ForwardPrizes
We are delighted to reannounce the shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Written category.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
September 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We are delighted to reannounce the shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Written category.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
Next up in Best Single Poem – Written: Tom Branfoot, shortlisted for ‘A Parliament of Jets’, a powerful long-form poem exploring global conflict and ecological destruction. Read the full poem via this link: forwardartsfoundation.org/poem/a-parli...
September 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Next up in Best Single Poem – Written: Tom Branfoot, shortlisted for ‘A Parliament of Jets’, a powerful long-form poem exploring global conflict and ecological destruction. Read the full poem via this link: forwardartsfoundation.org/poem/a-parli...
Meet the Poets continues – we’re now in the Best Single Poem – Written category! First up: Abeer Ameer, shortlisted for ‘at least’, a haunting meditation on violence, memory, and how we speak about loss. Read the full poem via this link: buff.ly/WpoMcE1
September 2, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Meet the Poets continues – we’re now in the Best Single Poem – Written category! First up: Abeer Ameer, shortlisted for ‘at least’, a haunting meditation on violence, memory, and how we speak about loss. Read the full poem via this link: buff.ly/WpoMcE1
As the final spotlight on poems for the summer, here are some beautiful lines from My Friends by @arundhathi.subramaniam@bloodaxebooks - and for more incredible poems, why not discover the Forward Prizes shortlist buff.ly/i67GTxe
September 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
As the final spotlight on poems for the summer, here are some beautiful lines from My Friends by @arundhathi.subramaniam@bloodaxebooks - and for more incredible poems, why not discover the Forward Prizes shortlist buff.ly/i67GTxe
We’re holding a Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage and all events are now bookable for the @bbccslfest festival in Bradford on 18-21 September. Run by @bbcarts, @wordupnorth and @bradford_2025, there are over 50 FREE events! Book now: buff.ly/bHdNUC9
August 31, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We’re holding a Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage and all events are now bookable for the @bbccslfest festival in Bradford on 18-21 September. Run by @bbcarts, @wordupnorth and @bradford_2025, there are over 50 FREE events! Book now: buff.ly/bHdNUC9
Our summer holiday poetry series continues with a few wonderful lines from Lazarus Taxa by John Burnside. Burnside, who passed away last year, left a legacy of language that continues to move and inspire, and if you're only just discovering this poet you've got a treat in store. @penguinukbooks
August 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Our summer holiday poetry series continues with a few wonderful lines from Lazarus Taxa by John Burnside. Burnside, who passed away last year, left a legacy of language that continues to move and inspire, and if you're only just discovering this poet you've got a treat in store. @penguinukbooks
Week three of our summer holiday poetry series takes us seaside again, this time with luminous lines by Emma Jeremy (@emmajanejeremy). If the rhythm of these words pulls you in like the tide, why not explore the full poem and connect with both poet and publisher. @emmajanejeremy @out_spoken_press
August 25, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Week three of our summer holiday poetry series takes us seaside again, this time with luminous lines by Emma Jeremy (@emmajanejeremy). If the rhythm of these words pulls you in like the tide, why not explore the full poem and connect with both poet and publisher. @emmajanejeremy @out_spoken_press
There’s still time for you to join us for the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage! Expect bold voices, fresh perspectives, and unforgettable performances. 🎟 FREE – but booking required! Link:https://buff.ly/YYETf4w
August 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
There’s still time for you to join us for the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage! Expect bold voices, fresh perspectives, and unforgettable performances. 🎟 FREE – but booking required! Link:https://buff.ly/YYETf4w
Next up in our Meet the Poets series is Goonie by Michael Mullen (Corsair), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. Goonie explores the balance between page and stage poetry. Read the interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
August 20, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Next up in our Meet the Poets series is Goonie by Michael Mullen (Corsair), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. Goonie explores the balance between page and stage poetry. Read the interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Next in our Meet The Poets series: Altar by Desree (@badbettypress), a powerful debut exploring sacrifice, identity & resilience through vivid, raw vignettes on Black British identity, queer joy, family & more.
Read the full interview via this link:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Read the full interview via this link:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
August 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Next in our Meet The Poets series: Altar by Desree (@badbettypress), a powerful debut exploring sacrifice, identity & resilience through vivid, raw vignettes on Black British identity, queer joy, family & more.
Read the full interview via this link:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Read the full interview via this link:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
📚 Next up in our Meet the Poets series: Heirloom by Catherine-Esther Cowie (@carcanetpress), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. A lyrical meditation on trauma, memory & inheritance. Read the full interview:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
August 15, 2025 at 4:08 PM
📚 Next up in our Meet the Poets series: Heirloom by Catherine-Esther Cowie (@carcanetpress), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. A lyrical meditation on trauma, memory & inheritance. Read the full interview:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Next up in our Meet the Poets series for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection: Chaotic Good (@@faberbooks.bsky.social ) by Isabelle Baafi – a bold debut exploring ambivalence, trauma, and radical hope!
Read the full interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Read the full interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
August 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Next up in our Meet the Poets series for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection: Chaotic Good (@@faberbooks.bsky.social ) by Isabelle Baafi – a bold debut exploring ambivalence, trauma, and radical hope!
Read the full interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...
Read the full interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...