Guys, gals and non-binary pals,
It's with total delight that, after another tough, tumultuous year and last year's stratospherically high-standard turnout, we announce that we are BACK! Those of you who haven't come across us before, we're a competition for UK-based young poets aged 16--25. Prior to last year, we (Olivia and Anna-May) had for some time wanted to create a free opportunity for young poets to indulge in the healing power of poetry, in memory of Anna-May's brilliant daughter Magdalena, or Maggie as she was often known. Maggie loved art, music, and writing, so we thought this would be a great way to honour and remember her. We're now in the very fortunate position that we've been able to establish the prize, and we are truly proud to be making our mission -- to stand up for both the arts and young people's mental health -- a reality once again (and hopefully for many years to come!).
Without further ado, our judge this year will be...drum roll please...the phenomenal GBOYEGA ODUBANJO!
Here's some more about Gboyega:
Gboyega Odubanjo was born and raised in east London. He is the author of two poetry pamphlets, While I Yet Live (Bad Betty Press) and Aunty Uncle Poems (winner of the Poetry Business New Poets Prize 2020, and published by Smith|Doorstop in 2021). Gboyega is an editor of the poetry magazine bath magg.
And here's what you could win if you enter our lovely competition! Our winner will get their hands on £200, and second and third place will receive £100 and £50 respectively. We also have our very special Dragonfly Prize for Potential, where Gboyega will recognise outstanding effort and promise in a fourth young writer, and said young writer will bag £25 worth of book vouchers.
The competition will open on Monday 1st November 2021 and close on Tuesday 1st February 2022, so make sure you're ready for us: get scribbling! We can't wait to welcome all your amazing entries. Information on rules and how to enter will be shared over the coming weeks, so please do keep an eye on this blog - and of course, all links will be posted on our social media pages.
Take the best care of yourselves.
Much love,
Olivia and Anna-May x
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