Shelley Memorial Project
International Poetry Competition 2025
Shelley was one of the greatest Romantic poets in English literature. This year our Poetry competition invites submissions that address the wider definition of ‘a Romantic poem’.
“The life and works of Percy Bysshe Shelley exemplify English Romanticism in both its extremes of joyous ecstasy and brooding despair. Romanticism’s major themes—restlessness and brooding, rebellion against authority, interchange with nature, the power of the visionary imagination and of poetry, the pursuit of ideal love, and the untamed spirit ever in search of freedom—all of these live on in the substantial body of work that he left the world.”
— Poetry Foundation
1st prize - £250
2nd prize - £150
3rd prize - £50
Plus the Sussex Cup, awarded for the best entry from a Sussex resident
Joe Bunn
This year’s Shelley Memorial prize judge is Joe Bunn, otherwise known as the ‘Bard of Worthing’. Inspirational and eclectic, his poetry is funny, political, heartfelt and important. Joe is the curator of various poetry nights on the south coast; nights which mix comedy, music and poetry.
His work concerns folklore of the future and creating new traditions that he hopes will live long after him. He looks to inspire others through creative challenges and gentle encouragement.
Joe is interested mostly in poetry that is tangible, relatable and, most of all, human. There should be something that rings true within the text, so it isn’t just poetry for the sake of it. As Plato said, “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.”
Submission Rules:
Poems may be up to 40 lines.
Entry fee for the first poem is £5.00; entry fee for additional poems is £4.00 per poem.
Poems should be accompanied by an entry form.
The poet’s name should not appear on the poems themselves.
Poems must be the original work of the named author.
Poems must not have been previously published (including on-line), nor won a prize in any competition.
The deadline for receipt of entries is midnight on the 30th May 2025.
The organisers accept no responsibility for entries that are incorrectly submitted or not delivered due to technical faults.
By entering the competition, entrants agree to accept and be bound by the rules of the competitions and the decisions of the judges.
The copyright of each poem remains with the author, but will appear on the SMP website and in our social media.
The judge’s decision is final. Once a poem has been submitted, no amendments to the text will be accepted.
View the 2024 winning poems here.
Results will be announced in mid June and shortlisted poets invited to our awards evening