Guernsey International Poetry Competition 2026
Judged by John Agard
Competition opens
Competition deadline 15 Jan 2026
Our Judge for 2026: John Agard
John Agard is a national and internationally acclaimed poet, playwright, short story writer, and performer, who over his long career has become known and loved for his playful, witty style and charismatic performances.
In 2021, he was awarded the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement for his outstanding contribution to literature, and has previously been awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, the Smarties Book Prize, and many more. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and is studied on the National Curriculum in GSCE English. John lives in East Sussex and travels to festivals around the world to perform his poetry, offering wit, imagination, and exhilarating wordplay.
John Agard appears at the Guernsey Literary Festival courtesy of Renaissance One.
Filter Judge Jonathan Edwards
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Jonathan Edwards’s first collection of poems, My Family and Other Superheroes (Seren, 2014), received the Costa Poetry Award and the Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice Award. It was shortlisted for the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. His second collection, Gen (Seren, 2018), also received the Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice Award, and his poem about Newport Bridge was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2019. He received the Troubadour Prize in 2022. Jonathan has been poet-in-residence at Gladstone's Library and at the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne, a judge for the National Poetry Competition, the Wales Book of the Year and the Foyle Young Poets Award, and a Literature Wales mentor of emerging writers. He lives in Crosskeys, South Wales, and is an Advisory Fellow for the Royal Literary Fund.
Poetry winners’ reading at the Guernsey Literary Festival
Guernsey is an exceptional and inspiring location for a literary festival with an abundance of natural beauty and a thriving Arts scene. The 2026 Guernsey Literary Festival takes place from 24 April to 3rd May 2026.
The festival offers a varied and energetic celebration of literature with something for everyone – from aspiring writers to families looking for a fun day out. For more information on events in 2026, visit guernseyliteraryfestival.com.
We invite you to join us for the International Poetry Competition Winners’ Reading on Friday 1st May 2026.
Categories & prizes
Three finalists in each category, and a further 12 poems for the Guernsey bus and harbour exhibition will be selected by the judge. The judge’s decision is final.
Poems on the Move Exhibition 2026
Nine finalists, three from each category will be displayed at Guernsey Airport.
Poems on the Buses/Guernsey Harbours Exhibition 2026
All nine finalists, and a further 12 poems from all categories will be displayed on Guernsey buses and at Guernsey Harbours.
Thanks to Guernsey Ports, Stagecoach Guernsey, and Guernsey Arts for supporting the public display of the competition’s winning work.
Open Poetry
Entries £5 per poem
or enter 3 poems for £12
1st prize £1000
2nd place £500
3rd place £250
Channel Islands’ Poetry†
Ages 18 and over, born
or resident* in the
Channel Islands
Entries £5 per poem
or enter 3 poems for £12
1st prize £250
2nd place £50
3rd place £30
Young People’s Poetry†
Aged 11-17*
Free Entry
1st prize £250
2nd place £50
3rd place £30
For more information email: [email protected]
2025 Winners
Judge: Imtiaz Dharker
Open Poetry
Channel Islands’ Poetry
Young People’s Poetry
Poems on the Buses Exhibition
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Bus
BADGE Frank Lowry
Read poem -
Bus
The Breath Nairn Kennedy
Read poem -
Bus
The Dark Scott Elder
Read poem -
Bus
the four am phone call Juliette Hart
Read poem -
Bus
Gust Margaret Wilmot
Read poem -
Bus
Other People’s Trees Stuart Henson
Read poem -
Bus
Petty Theft Conlan Heiser-Cerrato
Read poem -
Bus
The Red Pillar Box Sarah Lawson
Read poem -
Bus
The send-off Martine Padwell
Read poem -
Bus
Silly Caterpillar Daisy Mattless
Read poem -
Bus
“Titanic cup found in kitchen could sell for £2000” Harriet Truscott
Read poem -
Bus
We the living Bronwen R. Evans
Read poem