Terms and Conditions (the Rules)

The Overton Poetry Prize is organised by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University.

Entries may be submitted from anywhere in the world. The Competition is open to anyone aged 16 or over. 

Participation may be under an entrant’s real name or under a pseudonym. The author’s legal name must be registered. Prizes can only be awarded to a “real person”.

Entries

  • Entries must be in English.
  • Entries may be on any subject.
  • Entries must not exceed 300 lines (not including title or blank lines).
  • The name and contact details of the writer should not appear on the poetry sequence itself but should accompany it via online registration for electronic submissions. All entrants will be judged anonymously.
  • Alterations cannot be made to entries after they have been submitted, nor fees refunded.
  • Entries should not be obscene, offensive, defamatory or libellous.
  • Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published or have won a prize in any other competition prior to the announcement of the winners.
  • There is no restriction on the number of entries that any one competitor may submit.
  • Confirmation of entries via the online portal is automatic. 

Judging

Entries will be shortlisted by Dr Kerry Featherstone. Daniel Sluman will undertake the final judging.
Neither the judges, the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, or Loughborough University will enter into any correspondence about the judging.

Timetable

Entries must be received by 31st March 2024 at midnight.

Fees

The cost is £12.50 per entry. Proceeds from the competition entry fees will go towards funding an early-career poet in residence at the University.

Entries can be made via the online portal at: 

Copyright

  • The copyright of each entry remains with the author (although Loughborough University does retain the right to feature the winning poems on their website and associated websites).
  • By submitting an entry, the Entrant grants a non-exclusive licence to Loughborough University to publish the entry (and any background information supplied by the entrant) at www.lboroac.uk or any associated sites, for example on social media. Whilst the copyright of the poems will remain with the author, copyright of the work in chapbook form will remain with Loughborough University.
  • Loughborough University cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any entrant entering the Competition. In the event of any technical failure Loughborough University’s liability will be limited to the entry fee paid.
  • The Competition and Rules will be governed by English Law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. As a condition of entering the Competition, entrants must ensure that by doing so, they do not contravene any laws of their own country of residence.
  • Entry of the Competition implies unqualified acceptance of all the Competition’s Rules.