Write a poem. Pick any style. Choose any theme. Join the party!

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This special poetry competition is open to 4–18 year-olds and gives every young writer the freedom to create a poem their way. They can write about anything they like, in any style they choose, making it perfect for all ages, abilities and imaginations.

Download a poster, print it & pop it in your classroom window to let pupils & parents know The Big Poetry Party is in town for the summer 🥳🥳🥳

Let the celebrations begin!

[Rules] =>

Only one entry per pupil, there is no limit to the number of entries per school. Teachers please submit your entries altogether where possible!
The name submitted on the Teacher Entry Form will be the contact for future correspondence regarding your entries. If you wish this to be separated by class, please submit one form per teacher.
Entries must be the pupils' own original work.
Poems can be submitted on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or typed (on a computer or using the Online Writing Portal)
Each pupil's name, age and school name should be included on their entry. (Initials or first names only can be supplied if necessary.)
Poems can be in any poetic style and on any theme.
UK entrants only.
Copyright remains with the author.

[School Prizes] => Participating schools receive a free copy of the book in which their pupils feature. [Student Prizes] => Our favourite 5 poets will each win a £50 gift voucher of their choice!

The winners will be announced shortly after the publication date, which will be later this year.

Every entrant receives a bookmark and those poets whose work we'd like to publish also receive a certificate of merit.

[Tips] =>
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Let your young writer join The Big Poetry Party!

To celebrate 35 years of Young Writers, children and young people aged 4-18 can write a poem about anything they like, in any style they choose.

Funny, thoughtful, imaginative, powerful or completely unexpected – there are no set themes and no set poetry styles, giving every young writer the freedom to create something that feels completely their own.

Their poem could even be published in a Young Writers book, and our favourite poets will win a prize!

Write a poem. Pick any style. Choose any theme. Join the party!

It's Easy To Take Part - How To Enter

Email your child's entry along with their name and full address to: [email protected]

Upload their entry at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/enter

Post your child's entry along with their name and full address to:

Young Writers - Big Poetry Party
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: 28th August 2026

[Independent Rules] =>

Only one entry per person.
Your entry must be your own original work.
UK entrants only.
Your poem can be submitted on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or typed.
Your name, age and full home address should be included on your entry.
Copyright remains with the author.
No word or line limit (but we do recommend staying under 750 words).

[Independent Prizes] => Our favourite 5 poets will each win a £50 gift voucher of their choice!

The winners will be announced shortly after the publication date, which will be later this year.

Every entrant receives a bookmark and those poets whose work we'd like to publish also receive a certificate of merit.

Independent entrants are eligible for pupil prizes.

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This competition is now closed.

If you have late entries, please email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

Open competitions can be found here.

What happens now?

Our editorial team will read every single entry. Any child whose work they'd love to publish in a book will be sent a letter and certificate. Children whose work hasn't met the competition criteria will have the chance to resubmit their work. Winners will be chosen from published pieces once all the books in the series have been published.

Competition Timeline

Stage	Date	Status
Letters Sent	By No date set	⏳ In Progress
Books Published	No date set - No date set	⏳ Coming Soon
Winners Announced	No date set	⏳ Coming Soon

Please note we aim to keep these dates as accurate as possible but can be subject to change.

For more detailed information about your school's entries, please log in (or create) your teacher account here using the email you included on your teacher entry form.