Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition

The Ware Poets Open Poetry Competition is organised by Ware Poets, a poetry and community organisation based in Hertfordshire, UK. Now in its 28th year, the competition has been running since 1998 and attracts submissions from across the UK and internationally.

The 2026 competition is judged by poet and educator Keith Jarrett, a multiple poetry slam champion and Poetry Society trustee. Poems for all categories may be on any subject.

This year marks the first time five prizes are being awarded, including two special categories: the Sonnet Prize (open to all), and the Local Prize, reserved for the best poem by a writer living in Hertfordshire or Essex.

The winning and commended poems will be featured in our Ware Poets Open Competition 2026 Anthology, with an introduction by Keith Jarrett. Each poet published in the 2026 Anthology will be sent a complimentary copy. The poem that wins first prize will be automatically entered for the Forward Prize and all prize-winning poems will be published on the Ware Poets website.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.