Westival International Poetry Competition 2024

Literature has been a core strand of the festival since its inception in 1976, so we are thrilled this year to announce the launch of the Westival International Poetry Competition 2024! This prestigious competition invites poets from around the globe to showcase their talent and creativity.

Competition Rules

1. Language: Entries must be in English only.
2. Theme: There is no set theme for this year's competition.
3. Submission: All entries must be submitted online via this Google Form.
4. Closing Date: The closing date for entries has been extended to 27th September 2024.
5. Entry Fee:
   • €15 for up to three poems.
   • Payment can be made via Paypal below.
6. Prizes:
   • 1st Prize: €1000
   • 2nd Prize: €250
   • 3rd Prize: €100

Submission Guidelines

• Anonymity: All poems will be judged anonymously. Poems will be disqualified if they show any name, address, or other identifying mark. Please include all details on the entry form only as requested.
• Format:
  • Include only the title and poem in the PDF submission in the form.
  • Poems should be single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font (or similar).
  • Maximum length: 40 lines (excluding title and stanza breaks).
• Entries:
  • You may enter as often as you like provided each set of poems is accompanied by the appropriate fee.
  • Once submitted, poems cannot be altered or changed.
  • Poems must be the original work of the entrant. They must not have been previously published or self-published, in print or online, nor have won a prize in another competition.

Copyright and Publication

• Copyright remains with the author. However, Westival reserves the right to publish winning and shortlisted poems on its website and/or in print.
• Winners will be announced at an event during the festival, where they will be invited to read their poems. Shortlisted entrants will be notified individually.

Judges

We are honored to have an esteemed panel of judges for this year's competition:

• Geraldine Mitchell
• Ger Reidy
• Sean Lysaght

Payment

Please complete your entry payment via Paypal linked on the Google form, and also here : https://paypal.me/westival23?country.x=IE&locale.x=en_US

Contact Us

• For questions about competition rules, please email poetry@westival.ie.
• For questions about payment, please email accounts@westival.ie.

Best of luck in the competition!

The Westival Team