
Wigtown Poetry Prize
In association with The Gaelic Books Council, Moniack Mhor, Scottish Poetry Library, Saltire Society and StAnza
Scotland's International Poetry Prize was founded in 2005, and is regarded as one of the UK's best-established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers' careers. Now refreshed and rebranded as the Wigtown Poetry Prize, entries are being accepted for our 2021 competition.
Entries are accepted from poets writing in English wherever they may live. Separate 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 - born in Galloway and one of Scotland's most respected poets. For more information on how to enter, please visit the dedicated Wigtown Poetry Prize website.
If you missed our launch event on 25 February, please don't worry. You can still catch it on our YouTube channel until 31 May 2021 here.
We are joined by the judges from each category who offer inspiration and encouragement to anyone that wishes to enter. The event also gives information about the Prize categories and a beautiful musical interlude by Sandy NicDhòmhnaill Jones. We are delighted to also be joined by last year's Prize judges who give an insight into their judging processes and entertain us by reading some of their own work.
2021 Prize details
Wigtown Prize: £1500
Runner-up: £200
Judge: William Letford
Wigtown Scots Prize: £500
Runner-up: £200
Judge: Robert Alan Jamieson
Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize: £500
Runner-up: £200
Judge: Sandy NicDhòmhnaill Jones
Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award
Professional support including mentoring from Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Judging Panel from Wigtown Festival Company Board of Trustees
Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize
Production of a pamphlet set by Gerry Cambridge
Judge: William Letford
Invitation to Read at StAnza 2022
A
winner of one or more categories will be selected at the discretion of
StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival and Wigtown Festival
Company