Wigtown Poetry Prize 2023

Open for Submission

18 April 2023
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Scotland's International Poetry Prize is open to all.


The 2023 Wigtown Poetry Prize is now open for entries.

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Founded in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Prize is one of the UK's best established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers' careers. Refreshed and rebranded in 2019, Wigtown Poetry Prize welcomes entries from poets across the world. Two other categories celebrate the best of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language poetry, a special category acknowledges a rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway, and a pamphlet prize is named in memory of Alastair Reid - local poet and one of Scotland's foremost literary figures.


Wigtown Prize: £1500

Runner-up: £200 Wigtown

Scots Prize: £500

Runner-up: £200

Supported by Saltire Society

Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize: £500

Runner-up: £200

Supported by The Gaelic Books Council

Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award

Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.


Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize

30 copies of a pamphlet of your work set by Gerry Cambridge


Invitation to Read at StAnza 2023

A winner of one or more categories will be selected at the discretion of StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival and Wigtown Festival Company


Those entering Wigtown Scottish Gaelic and Wigtown Scots categories can also submit their poems to be considered for the Wigtown Prize free-of-charge.

The competition closes on 31 May 2023, winners will be announced at the Prize Giving event at Wigtown Book Festival on 30 September. We hope to see you there. 

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Read the full rules and guidelines on the Poetry Prize website

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