The Hunter Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce entries are now open for Australia’s most significant literary award — the Newcastle Poetry Prize.
For over 30 years, the Newcastle Poetry Prize has championed Australian poets and their craft. With a generous prize pool sponsored by the University of Newcastle and a first prize of $15,000, the competition provides a platform for both emerging and established voices to shine.
It is celebrated throughout Australia for its notable impact on Australian literature and for its embrace of the long-form poem. John Foulcher, one of the 2023 Judges says of the competition, ‘Poetry isn’t and shouldn’t be about prestige. It’s about understanding what it is to be human. In this regard, the Newcastle Poetry Prize is unique in that it allows significant space to explore our humanity by encouraging the submission of extended pieces of poetry.’
In addition to a first prize of $15,000, there are several other awards administered, including the Harri Jones Memorial Award, awarded each year to a poet under the age of 36. The Award honours the late TH (Harri) Jones, a Welsh poet, critic and lecturer at the University of Newcastle.
University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor Human and Social Futures, John Fischetti, adds, ‘We’re very proud to support the Newcastle Poetry Prize. We fully support the creative industries, which provide cultural vitality and vibrancy to our region. Newcastle is a hot spot for poetry and the Newcastle Poetry Prize is one of the most significant poetry prizes in Australia. I encourage the community to get involved, and for budding poets to enter their work for consideration.’
The accompanying anthology, a hallmark of the Newcastle Poetry Prize, offers a coveted platform for poets to be published and their words celebrated. Each year, the anthology captures the vibrant state of Australian poetry, featuring not only shorter verses but also longer, thought-provoking works that challenge and inspire.
In 2023, the Newcastle Poetry Prize is judged by Australian poets Judith Nangala Crispin and John Foulcher. Winners of the competition will be revealed at the Prize Ceremony in November.
The Newcastle Poetry Prize closes at 11:59pm on Friday 4th August 2023.
For more information, visit 2023 Newcastle Poetry Prize.