Win an Extra £1000 on top of your Plaza Prize
Every year, The Plaza Prizes nominates several poems for The Forward Prize for Best Single Poem. This category highlights the impact of individual poems, whether they appear in print or online. It acknowledges the power of a single piece to captivate, move, and resonate with readers.
What is The Forward Poetry Prize?
Since 1992, The Forward Poetry Prize has been synonymous with literary excellence, celebrating the best of modern poetry across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The prize’s establishment marked a pivotal moment in the poetry landscape, providing a platform for both emerging and established poets to gain recognition and reach broader audiences.
Origins and Purpose
The Forward Arts Foundation, a charity dedicated to promoting poetry, established the Forward Poetry Prize with a clear mission: to shine a light on the finest contemporary poetry and to make it accessible to the public. This goal is rooted in the belief that poetry has the power to enrich lives, provoke thought, and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience.
The prize was conceived by William Sieghart, a publisher and philanthropist with a passion for the arts. Sieghart envisioned a prize that would not only reward poets financially but also elevate their work, bringing it to the attention of new readers and critics alike.
Impact and Influence
Over the years, the Forward Poetry Prize has significantly influenced the careers of many poets. Winning or even being shortlisted for the prize can propel a poet into the literary spotlight, leading to increased book sales, media attention, and further opportunities for publication and performance.
The prize has also played a crucial role in expanding the audience for poetry. By celebrating diverse voices and themes, the Forward Prize has helped to dispel the notion that poetry is an esoteric or inaccessible art form. Instead, it showcases poetry’s relevance and ability to address contemporary issues, emotions, and experiences.
Notable Winners and Works
The Forward Poetry Prize has honored a remarkable array of poets, including some of the most celebrated names in contemporary literature. Past winners include Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, and Simon Armitage. These poets have left an indelible mark on the literary world, and their recognition by the Forward Prize has further cemented their legacies.
In recent years, the prize has continued to highlight a diverse range of voices. For instance, in 2020, the Forward Prize for Best Collection was awarded to Vahni Capildeo for “Venus as a Bear,” a work praised for its inventive language and exploration of identity and place. The Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection went to Will Harris for “Rendang,” a collection that delves into themes of heritage and belonging.
Looking Ahead
As it approaches its fourth decade, the Forward Poetry Prize remains a vital and dynamic force in the literary world. It continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of poetry, embracing new forms, platforms, and voices. Through its commitment to excellence and inclusivity, the prize ensures that contemporary poetry thrives and reaches ever-widening audiences.
In a world that increasingly values quick consumption and fleeting trends, the Forward Poetry Prize stands as a testament to the enduring power of words and the profound impact of poetry. By celebrating and supporting poets, the prize not only honors the past and present but also nurtures the future of this timeless art form.
2024 Winners
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 Afternoon’ (Oxford Poetry)
Lisa Kelly – ‘I Wanted to Show You a Donkey in the Field Or I Want to Show You the Donkey in a Field’ (The Rialto)
Tife Kusoro – ‘the only other dark-skinned girl’ (National Poetry Competition)
Cindy Juyoung Ok – ‘Ward of One’ (Poetry London)
ENTER NOW. The Plaza Poetry Prize. Judge: Lachlan McKinnon. 1st Prize: £1000 (US$1250). Deadline: 3oth September 2024.