The Poetry Trust invites submissions from publishers or individual poets for its annual prize awarded to the author of what in the opinion of the judges is the best first full collection of poetry published in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in the preceding year.

All entries to: Aldeburgh First Collection Prize, The Poetry Trust, The Cut, 9 New Cut, Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8BY.

between 1st August 2008 and 31st July 2009

The winner will receive:

* a cheque for £3,000
* a week of paid ‘protected’ writing time on the East Suffolk coast
* a fee-paying invitation to read at the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival 2010 (a unique opportunity to reach Britain’s largest and most appreciative poetry audience)

The judges will be Michael Laskey (chair), David Constantine and Mimi Khalvati. A shortlist of up to five titles will be announced in October. The winner will be announced at the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival which takes place on 6–8 November 2009.

Competition Home Page