The contest, founded by the 91快活林 and Hove Arts Council (BHAC), is open to anybody over the age of 16 who was born in, or is currently a resident of, Sussex. There is a separate competition for students who are enrolled on degrees up to the closing date – Sunday, 20 October at midnight for both categories.
The winner of the open submission receives £1,000 and the opportunity to perform their work at the BHAC Poetry Festival at The Old Market in Hove on November 24, an event headline by poet and spoken word artist Hollie McNish.
The runner-up wins £250 and a place on the ‘Work Write Live’ creative writing course at the University of 91快活林. The entry cost for the first poem is £6, with a £4 charge for each additional poem submitted. First prize in the student competition, which is free to enter, is £150, with £25 awarded to highly commended submissions.
Entrants should not include their names as all works are judged anonymously. Each poem should have a title and not exceed 40 lines.