A literary career, can start at any age, especially when there are awards to support young writers to flourish. The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is for young writers from across the world. Last year’s competition attracted a staggering 7,351 young poets from 60 countries – spanning the globe, from New Zealand to Nigeria and from right across the UK, making it one of the largest literary competitions in the world.

Since it began 16 years ago, the Award has kick-started the career of some of today’s most exciting new voices. Many past winners have gone on to become published and prize-winning poets, including: Caroline Bird, Sarah Howe and Caleb Klaces.

Through winning an award, poets receive a programme of writing support – the top 15 poets are published in an anthology which will go out to more than 20,000 people worldwide in March 2014.

There are two prizes available for the 15 overall winners of the award. The 14-17 year olds get the chance to attend a week-long residential course at one of the prestigious Arvon Centres where they will be tutored by this year’s judges Hannah Lowe and David Morley.

The younger age range winners (11-14 year olds) will receive a visit to their school from a professional poet, followed by distance mentoring. The 85 Commended Winners also receive book prizes and a year’s Youth Membership of the Poetry Society.

All 100 winners of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award benefit from ongoing support and encouragement, via publication, performance, promotion and internship opportunities throughout the UK.

The phrase ‘Former Foyle Young Poet’, is now commonly found in professional biographies as alumni continue to make their mark on the wider literary world, their names appearing on bookshelves and at festivals the world over.

Hannah Lowe said: “I am absolutely delighted to be judging the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award this year. I am certain we will discover some really exciting new voices.”

The competition is open to all young poets, whether they have been writing for a long time or just started – all they need is a passionate engagement with words. The Foyle Young Poet of the year award is free to enter and poems can be of any length and on any subject. The deadline for entries is 31 July 2013. Find out more at: www.foyleyoungpoets.org

Source: Foyle Young Poets