This prize is open to writers of colour over the age of 18 who have not yet published a book-length manuscript. Applicants must be resident in the UK in order to be eligible for the prize. 

Applicants can have had poems published in magazines or online or in a pamphlet but they must not previously have published a full-length book collection of their own work, and must not have a publishing contract for a full-length collection with a publisher or literary agent. Applicants must not also have received extensive support from similar mentoring schemes in order to submit. Further notes regarding eligibility, judging process and the prize can be found in the Terms & Conditions section of our webpage.

The James Berry Poetry Prize will assist emerging writers of colour with mentoring to help them develop their work, followed by publication of their debut book-length collection with Bloodaxe Books. Devised by Bernardine Evaristo, OBE, and Nathalie Teitler, the prize is modelled on The Complete Works mentoring programme previously supported by Arts Council England.

The prize is free to enter and is managed by Newcastle University. The prize is open to poets of colour who have not yet published a book-length collection, with special consideration given to LGBTQ+/disabled poets and poets from underrepresented backgrounds.

Applications include a portfolio of writing, personal statement and CV. A panel of judges will choose three equal winning poets. These individuals will receive £1000, editing and writing sessions with an experienced mentor, and debut publication with Bloodaxe Books. Each year the winning poets will be invited to take part the James Berry Poetry Prize reading as part of the Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts events series.

Information on how to apply can be found on our webpage.

Deadline: 31 July 2024 at midnight