Awards


The Disabled Poets’ Prize has been set up to award some of the excellent work currently being produced by deaf and disabled poets writing in the UK. With the support of a range of generous sponsors, our prizes offer both financial and development support, along with industry recognition and an increased profile.

Entries for the Disabled Poets Prize 2023 are now closed

Entries closed


The Awards

Thanks to the generous support of a number of partners, the winners of the inaugural Disabled Poets’ Prize in each category will receive:

First prize – £500 and an Online Writers Surgery from The Literary Consultancy (TLC)

Second prize: £250 and a place on an online Arvon Foundation Masterclass

Third prize £100

Highly commended (x3) – £50

All prize-winners in all categories will receive a year-long membership of the community platform Being A Writer from The Literary Consultancy (TLC)


The Disabled Poets Prize is being judged in three categories:


Single poem

This prize is awarded for the best single poem submitted. As well as the cash prize, the overall winner will receive a place on the Arvon Foundation’s online Writing Through course. Judged by Jamie Hale and Romalyn Ante.



Unpublished pamphlet

This prize is awarded in association with Verve Poetry Press. As well as the cash prize, the winning pamphlet will be offered a publication contract by Verve Poetry Press. Judged by Jamie Hale and Peter Raynard.



Poem performed in BSL

This prize is supported by Verve Poetry Festival. It will be judged by Sahera Khan and DL Williams.