The search is on for Warwickshire’s next Young Poet Laureate

The search is on for the county's eighth Young Poet Laureate, who will succeed Emily Hunt in the role for 2023/24.

The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire, and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience. The Laureateship is a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their writing skills and take part in events and activities across the county under the mentorship of a professional poet. Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops. 

Applications are now welcome before the deadline of 6pm on Thursday 5 October 2023. The judges will then get to work and shortlisted candidates will be notified by Thursday 26th October. They will then be invited to take part in a selection say which includes a workshop with a professional poet, a short individual interview with judges and a performance in front of an audience at a public event. This will take place at one of Warwickshire’s libraries on Saturday 4 November 2023. Please ensure when applying that you are available on this date. 

The Young Poet Laureate competition is run by Warwickshire Libraries and supported by Poetry on Loan, an initiative supported by Arts Council England that promotes contemporary poetry throughout public libraries in the West Midlands. 

To apply, applicants need to: 

• Be 13-17 years old. 

• Live and be educated in Warwickshire. 

• Fill in the Application Form (available in the weblink below) 

• Submit three poems. One should be inspired by Warwickshire; one should be about or inspired by libraries and the third can be of your own choosing. 

• Submit a personal statement and explain in 250 words: 

             1. Why you want to be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate 

             2. How you would promote poetry to the diverse range of people 

To submit an application, or for help with any questions about the application process, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youngpoetlaureate or email  libraryevents@warwickshire.gov.uk