Guernsey International Poetry Competition 2026
Judged by John Agard
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
)
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 7th 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 our Guernsey exhibitions 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
The three top placed poems in each category will be displayed on Guernsey buses.
A further 12 poems from all categories will be displayed 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]
2026 Winners
Judge: John Agard
Open Poetry
Channel Islands’ Poetry
Young People’s Poetry
Guernsey Exhibitions
-
GE
Bold Helen Goff
Read poem -
GE
The Bus Window Kushi Kumari
Read poem -
GE
I want to write a poem where I say I love you Jenny Chu
Read poem -
GE
The Letting Go Tawhida Aalifa
Read poem -
GE
My son believes his late aunt is a butterfly Alanna Rice
Read poem -
GE
Offshoot Jack Cooper
Read poem -
GE
Rocky Immy Crawford
Read poem -
GE
Sand speaks on this boiling day in August Sandra Noel
Read poem -
GE
Spring Clean Rachel Burrows
Read poem -
GE
Statues Esther Morgan
Read poem -
GE
Wallaby in the Garden Adam Elms
Read poem -
GE
When the Light Forgets Its Name Ryoma Al-Farjani
Read poem