The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2018 is open for entries and is looking for poems by young people aged 11-17 from the UK and beyond.  With entries from over 6,000 young people last year across from the UK and worldwide, it is the largest competition of its kind and its importance is widely attested.  This year the competition will be judged by Caroline Bird and Daljit Nagra.

It's easy and free to enter, and really does change lives. Just see for yourself in a Diary of a Foyle Young Poet.  Winners receive a range of fantastic prizes including membership of The Poetry Society and a stack of poetry goodies. Winners also attend a week-long intensive residential Arvon course, where they develop their creative writing skills alongside fellow poets, or benefit from poetry residencies at their school or distance-mentoring depending on their age and location.

Everything you need to know about the competition is right here on The Poetry Society website.  The closing date for the competition is Midnight BST 31 July 2018, so there's plenty of time for young people to get their entries ready, or for teachers to encourage their students to enter. Organisers also have a range of free teaching resources, posters, anthologies and flyers they can send out to schools and Young People’s organisations, just contact The Poetry Society for details. (Image design by James Brown)