Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the competition?
The Open Category is open to poets worldwide.
Anyone who turns 18 on or before 15 January 2027 must compete in the Open category.
The Channel Islands category is open to anyone born in, or currently resident in, the Channel Islands.
The Young People’s category is open to writers aged 11-17 as of 15 January 2027.
Entrants must be at least 11 years old.
Poems submitted in the Channel Islands category and Young People’s category are also automatically entered in the Open category.
Any entries not following the rules of entry will be disqualified.
Can I enter if I live outside Guernsey?
The Open category is open to poets worldwide.
The Young People’s category is also open to poets worldwide, aged 11-17 as of 15 January 2027.
The Channel Islands category is open to anyone born in, or currently resident in, the Channel Islands.
What’s the theme this year?
There is no set theme—write about whatever inspires you. Winning poems will be displayed in high-profile public spaces across the island, bringing poetry to thousands of readers.
What kind of writing is eligible?
Your poem should have NO MORE than 14 lines.
Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must not have been published, self-published, posted online, shared on social media, broadcast or previously won or placed in another competition before 15 January 2027.
Poems created, substantially edited or enhanced using ChatGPT or any other AI text-generation tool are not eligible.
Entries that include identifying details, exceed the length limit, are incomplete, are submitted in the wrong category, breach the AI rules, or otherwise do not follow the rules will be disqualified.
Please check your entry carefully before submitting. We cannot amend or replace files after submission. If you submit the wrong version or spot a mistake before the deadline, you may withdraw your entry and submit again. A new entry fee will be payable. If you notice a mistake after the deadline, your original submission will remain your entry and cannot be changed.
What’s the maximum word count?
The maximum length is 14 lines per poem, on a single A4 page.
Is there a minimum word count?
There is no minimum word count, but it has to be a poem.
Can I submit something I’ve published elsewhere?
Poetry entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, or won or placed in another competition. Longlisted or shortlisted entries are eligible if they have not won a prize and have not been published.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but entries become ineligible if they win a prize elsewhere or are published before prize giving. Entry fees will not be refunded.
Entrants must inform the Guernsey International Poetry Competition immediately if their entry is published or wins a prize elsewhere.
How do I pay the entry fee online?
Payment is made online during the submission process. You’ll be asked to pay the £5 per poem entry fee by PayPal before your submission is finalised.
How do I get a postal entry form?
Download and print the entry form our website email [email protected] to get one emailed to you. There is also an entry form on the competition leaflet.
Send one copy of your entry and a completed entry form.
Amendments or substitutions cannot be made after submission.
If you wish to correct errors, submit a new entry marked FINAL VERSION on the first page, enter again and pay the fee.
No correspondence about amendments will be entered into.
Entries cannot be returned. Please keep a copy.
Who will judge the competition?
Poems will be reviewed anonymously. The final selection will be made by an independent guest judge. A filter judge will assist with the first round of reading.
When is the deadline for final submissions?
15 January 2027 23:59 BST
Entries postmarked on 15 January deadline date but arriving later will be accepted. Late entries are not.
When will winners be announced?
All winners will be notified by 15 March 2027 and our Winners’ List will be published on the competition website and social media.
What is the entry fee?
£5 per poem or 3 poems for £15. Entry is free for 11-17 year olds entering the Young People’s category. Your entry is only confirmed once payment is received. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Can I submit more than one poem?
Yes, you may submit as many poems as you wish. A separate entry fee applies to each submission.
We require stories to be submitted in digital format (Word or PDF) so they can be reviewed by our judges.
If online is not possible, then we will accept postal entries, which must be accompanied by a completed form. You can download the form here [include link].
We do not accept entries by email.
What are the prizes?
Open Category
1st: £1,000
2nd: £500
3rd: £250
Channel Islands
1st: £1,000
2nd: £500
3rd: £250
Young People’s
1st: £1,000
2nd: £500
3rd: £250
The three prize winners in each category will have their poems displayed on Guernsey buses, with nine finalist poems also exhibited at Guernsey Airport.
A further 12 poems will be selected for display in public locations across the island including at Guernsey Harbour.
With thanks to Guernsey Arts, Guernsey Ports and Stagecoach Guernsey for supporting the displays.
Do you allow batch submissions for schools?
We encourage students to submit their entries online via the website. If this is not possible, please contact the organisers below regarding the possibility of batch submissions:
For queries not answered in the FAQs, please email: [email protected]