This just in from the University of Canberra:
The world’s best poets are expected to enter a new poetry competition from the University of Canberra.
With a first prize of $15,000 and a total prize pool of $25,000, the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s Poetry Prize is one of the most generous competitions of its kind in the world.
“I would like this to become one of the most prestigious poetry prizes in the world, attracting and rewarding the finest writers,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said.
“This prize underscores our commitment to excellence in creative writing in its various forms. We have amongst our graduates some highly successful novelists and screenplay writers. We have introduced the UC Book of the Year, which is sent to staff members and all first year students each year. And we have now created an International Poetry Studies Institute as an investment in a further area of creative writing.
“As the University of Canberra approaches its 50th anniversary and more of our discipline areas enter world rankings I am sure we will be known for the breadth and balance of our strengths.”
The competition has attracted a world-class judging panel made up of leading Australian poets Jennifer Harrison, Brook Emery and Judith Beveridge and British poet Philip Gross.
The prize is administered by the University’s International Poetry Studies Institute, which last year won an Australian Research Council grant to investigate how the role of creativity in poetry could be applicable in other areas.
“The prize celebrates the enduring significance of poetry to cultures everywhere in the world, and celebrates creative excellence,” researcher Professor Jen Webb said.
“It is about rewarding creative practice at the highest level and it is supported by our growing reputation for research and practice in poetry.”
In addition to the $15,000 for the best poem, there is a $5,000 prize for a runner-up. The shortlisted poems will also be published in an annual anthology, which will be a record of excellent international poetry.
Entry is open to anyone in the world with the exception of the judges themselves and University of Canberra staff.
Entries will be previously unpublished poems, written in English (translations are not eligible) and up to 50 lines in length.
More information online.
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