This Live Canon competition is for full collections of poetry, and is divided into two categories: First Collections, and Second and Subsequent Collections.

Collections are considered to be 35+ poems, but if the poems are particularly long (or short) participants should use their judgement. A collection is generally over 40 A5 pages. Less than that would be a pamphlet (Live Canon also run a pamphlet competition, so participants for whom this is more relevant should look at this).

The collection should not have been published before. It is fine if individual poems within the collection have already been published elsewhere (journals, magazines, online) but participants are asked to flag up at the start of the manuscript. All work must be, predominantly, in the English language. All work must be original.

Prizes:
3 books will win a publication contract with Live Canon

Guest judge:
Kirsten Irving