Forward Prizes for Poetry

The Forward Prizes for Poetry are the most influential awards for new poetry in the UK and Ireland, honouring fresh voices alongside internationally established names.

First awarded in 1992, over the last three decades the prizes have celebrated some of the most recognised names in poetry including Simon Armitage, Thom Gunn, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, Claudia Rankine, Jackie Kay and Caleb Femi. Each year there are four prizes;

  • Best Collection (£10,000)
  • Best First Collection (£5,000)
  • Best Single Poem – Written (£1,000)
  • Best Single Poem – Performed (£1,000)

Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony

We’ve teamed up with the Durham Book Festival to bring the Forward Prizes for Poetry Ceremony to Gala Durham on Thursday 10th October. You are invited to join us for the biggest celebration in the poetry calendar! Come in person or via the festival live stream.

The event is hosted by author, performer and poet, Joelle Taylor, featuring the poet Kayo Chingonyi and BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles.

Where: Gala Durham
Date: Thursday 10 October
Time: 7-9:30pm (doors 6:30pm)
Cost: £15/£12 (Live-stream £5)

Book your ticket now

Explore the Forward Book of Poetry 2025 with Our Reading Guide

For librarians, academics, and anyone interested, this Reading Guide provides an invaluable tool for facilitating deeper engagement with the text—whether in reading groups, classrooms, or literary discussions.

Download the Guide here

The Forward Prize for Best Collection Shortlist 2024

The Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection Shortlist 2024

The Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Written Shortlist 2024

  • Vasiliki Albedo

    ‘On hearing the seismologist say there could be an 8.5R earthquake near Athens’
    (And Other Poems)

  • Derek Chan

    ‘A Craft Talk on the Praxis of an August Evening’
    (Oxford Poetry)

  • Lisa Kelly

    ‘I Wanted To Show You A Donkey’
    (Rialto)

  • Tife Kusoro

    ‘the only other dark-skinned girl’
    (National Poetry Competition)

  • Cindy Juyoung Ok

    ‘Ward of One’
    (Poetry London)

The Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem – Performed Shortlist 2024

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