Keats-Shelley Prize and Young Romantics Prize 2024

2024’s Keats-Shelley Poetry and Essay Prizes are open. As in previous years. there are two competitions. The Keats-Shelley Prize, which is open to all, and the Young Romantics Prize, aimed at anyone aged between 16 and 18 years old. The Chair of this year’s judging panel is the acclaimed writer, broadcaster and historian Tom Holland.

Poets are asked to write a new work inspired by this year’s prize theme of “Exile”, chosen to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lord Byron’s death in Greece.


Keats-Shelley essayists are invited to write on any aspect of the work and/or lives of the Romantics and their circles. Young Romantic essayists can respond to one of two questions set by the judges.


Keats-Shelley Prize winners receive £1000. Two highly commended entrants in each category will receive £500. Young Romantics winners receive £700. Two highly commended entrants in each category will receive £300. All winning poems and essays will be published in The Keats-Shelley Review and on the Keats-Shelley website.


Deadline for all submissions is 10am (GMT) on 31 January 2025.
Please see the essay prize questions and the judges’ biographies in the KSMA’s press release here.


For more information and how to enter both prizes, please visit: www.keats-shelley.org