Hosted by Tavistock Library and supported by Tavistock Heritage Trust as part of 'Tavistock's 1st Gothic and Neo-Gothic Celebration - Literature, Art, Architecture, Theatre, Film and Creative Fun.’

This celebration aims to encompass writing, film, drama and art activities. There will be a Gothic market for writers and traders to showcase their work and a range of related creative events.

Theme: a poem in the gothic tradition incorporating folklore and myth.

A cash prize will be offered to the overall winner, 30% of all entry receipts will form the prize fund. There will also be a second prize of 30% of all the entry fees awarded to a ‘Gothic’ poem based around Tavistock and incorporating its Gothic and Neo-Gothic Heritage. Additional runners-up prizes of books will also be awarded. The remaining 40% of the entry fees will be used for administration costs and for festival and library events.

The results will be announced, and the prizes presented at a special event. The prize winners will be notified approximately two weeks prior to the prize giving.

The judging will be in two stages: a final shortlist will be judged by a panel of librarians, authors and publishers. Shortlisted entries will be ranked by a final judging panel.