Introduction
The 2025 Disabled Poets Prize is now open for entries from deaf and disabled people aged 18+ based in the UK.
The Prize is looking to find the best, original poetry created by deaf and disabled writers.
The Disabled Poets Prize is free to enter and has two categories:
- Best single poem
- Best unpublished pamphlet
It offers financial and development prizes for 6 shortlisted winners in each category.
This year’s judges are Polly Atkin, Khairani Barokka and Jamie Hale.
You can enter online, or by post. Entries are open from 9am Monday 9 September and close at 1pm on Monday 4 November 2024.
The Disabled Poets Prize is a collaboration between CRIPtic Arts, Spread the Word and Verve Poetry Press. The 2025 Prize is supported by the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).
We wish you all the best of luck, and look forward to seeing some fantastic work!
How to Enter
You can enter the Disabled Poets Prize 2025 online or by post. The Prize is free to enter and is for deaf and disabled people aged 18+ in the UK and has two categories: 1) Best Single Poem and 2) Best Unpublished Pamphlet.
In each category, there will be a first place prize (£500), second prize (£250), third place prize (£100), and three highly commended, awarded £50.
The Prize offers significant professional development opportunities for the winning writers, including a publication deal with Verve Poetry Press for the best unpublished pamphlet as well as development prizes from The Literary Consultancy and Arvon Foundation.
The winners will be announced at Deptford Literature Festival in March 2025.
Before you enter
We recommend that you read these in advance of entering. All are available as text on a webpage, in audio, in a BSL video and as PDF and Word document downloads.
- The Quick Guide to entering the Prize
- Prize Eligibility Criteria
- Terms and Conditions
- Key Dates
- Frequently Asked Questions
Entering the prize
There is no fee for entering but we suggest a donation of £7 per entry, if you can afford it, to help us cover our costs.
Enter online
You can enter online via Submittable or by downloading and posting or emailing our entry form
You can use one online form to enter both categories. Please note you will need to create an account with Submittable to submit your entry, which is free to do.
For your reference, we have provided BSL video, audio and Word document versions of the entry form on the Prize website so you can prepare your submission prior to entering the Prize.
Enter by Post
If you prefer to post your entry, you can post your poem/s along with an entry form, to: Disabled Poets Prize, Spread the Word, The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 4AG.
We can’t return copies entered by post but we will acknowledge receipt by email if requested.
Contact
If you are considering submitting an entry to the Prize, please make sure you have read the following documents, available on the Prize website in audio, BSL and Word document formats.
- The Quick Guide to entering the Prize
- Prize Eligibility Criteria
- Terms and Conditions
- Key Dates
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about the Prize, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have a question about the Prize which is not answered through the Frequently Asked Questions, you can contact the Prize by email at: [email protected]