LAMDA Exams | Verse and Prose Poetry Competition 2023
In anticipation of the new Verse and Prose (Volume 20), we're inviting learners under the age of 18 to submit their poetry to be in with the chance of having their work published.
About the competition
Submit an original poem on any of the following themes: HOME, FRIENDSHIPS, OBJECTS, to be in win the chance of having your poem published.
The competition is open from 9am [BST] on 1 August 2023 and closes at 9am [BST] on Friday 29 September 2023.
The Prize:
The prize winner's poem will be published in LAMDA’s upcoming anthology, Verse and Prose (Volume 20). The work will be used as a set piece in LAMDA’s Speaking Verse and Prose or Introductory Examinations for the period 2024-2029.
The winner will also receive a voucher for a free solo LAMDA Examination, complimentary copies of the Verse and Prose Anthology (Volume 20), and a collection of branded LAMDA merchandise. The Learner will be able to use this voucher for a LAMDA Solo Examination in any discipline they choose
To enter the competition:
- Submissions open on Tuesday 1 August at 9am [BST].
- Submit your poem using the form below.
- Include your name and contact details so we can reach out to you if you're shortlisted and print your name correctly. There's also space to upload an attachment.
- You'll require a responsible adult's permission to enter. See the full terms and conditions below.
Submissions for the poetry competition are now closed, and we'll be reviewing the submissions over the coming weeks.
FAQs
The competition is open to young people under the age of 18.
The poems must be a minimum of 8 lines and a maximum of 30 lines.
-
Learner’s ability to capture one of the following themes: HOME, FRIENDSHIP or OBJECTS
-
Originality, imagination and creativity
-
Quality of writing
-
Suitability for a set piece in LAMDA’s Speaking Verse and Prose or Introductory Examinations
Terms & Conditions
Please see below for LAMDA’s entry instructions and Terms and Conditions.
THE PRIZE
LAMDA Learners’ Poetry Prize is open to children and young people under the age of 18. The Prize is open to anyone living anywhere in the world, as long as the poem is written in the English language.
The prize winner will be published in LAMDA’s upcoming anthology, Verse and Prose (Volume 20), whereby the work will be used as a set piece in LAMDA’s Speaking Verse and Prose or Introductory Examinations for the period 2024-2029. The winner will also receive a voucher for a free solo LAMDA Examination, complimentary copies of the Verse and Prose Anthology (Volume 20), and some branded LAMDA merchandise. The Learner will be able to use this voucher for a solo Examination. The voucher is valid for 1 year from the issue date.
The voucher is only redeemable by the winning entrant and cannot be transferred to another Learner.
The poems must be a maximum of 30 lines and a minimum of 8 lines.
Poems must be written on one of the following themes: HOME, FRIENDSHIPS, OBJECTS.
The poems must be original pieces of work.
Any number of poems can be entered by one Learner. Unfortunately, we cannot accept entries that have been co-written.
The winning entrant cannot use their own published work as the set piece for their own exam.
The winning poet will be encouraged to take part in some press and marketing activity following the announcement of the winner.
ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS:
The submission window will open at 9am (BST) on 01 August 2023.
The deadline for the receipt of entries is 9am (BST) on Friday 29 September 2023.
HOW TO ENTER:
Please read the Entry Terms and Conditions thoroughly. By submitting to the Prize, LAMDA takes this as acceptance of all the Terms and Conditions outlined in this agreement.
Please write and format your poem as follows:
-
Written in English
-
An original poem on one of the following themes: HOME, FRIENDSHIPS or OBJECTS
-
Typed on a computer
-
A maximum of 30 lines and a minimum of 8 lines
-
Saved as a Word document or PDF file
-
Arial, 12pt, black
Submissions can be made via the form above.
We will ask for the parent, guardian or teacher’s name, signature and relationship to the Learner.
Make sure you include your name, address, contact details (email) and age. Please also include an adult’s name and contact details (teacher, parent, guardian).
The form will also ask for:
-
Preferred name of the Learner as you’d like to be printed in LAMDA’s Verse and Prose Anthology Volume 20
-
Preferred pronouns of the Learner for any marketing copy
-
Permission to use the Learner’s poem in publication.
Poems can be uploaded as Word Documents or PDFs.
For teachers who wish to collate their student’s entries, please include your name and contact details, as well as the names and ages of the writers.
Entries not submitted in accordance with these instructions will not be eligible for consideration.
JUDGING
Entries will be judged on the following guidelines:
-
Learner’s ability to capture one of the following themes: HOME, FRIENDSHIP or OBJECTS
-
Originality, imagination and creativity
-
Quality of writing
-
Suitability for a set piece in LAMDA’s Speaking Verse and Prose or Introductory Examinations
Shortlisted and winning Learners will be contacted via email, either personally or via the adult that made/approved the entry. LAMDA will not contact the winner via social media or request any money.
The winner is likely to be announced in October 2023.
LAMDA’s decision on the winning entry is final.
DISTRIBUTION
By entering the Prize, the Learner agrees to their work being published by LAMDA in the Verse and Prose Anthology (Volume 20). Specific copyright terms will be outlined to the winner via email.
LAMDA also reserves the right to publish the poem, alongside the winner’s name, on the LAMDA website. The winning entry will not receive a fee for publication. This prize cannot be substituted for a cash alternative or transferred. LAMDA is unable to accept postal entries.
COMMUNICATION
LAMDA cannot accept responsibility for any incomplete, damaged, lost or incorrect entries. LAMDA reserves the right to cancel this Prize or any of its components at any stage, if deemed necessary. Similarly, LAMDA reserves the right to award multiple winning entries, depending on the quality of the material received.