The Keats-Shelley Poetry and Essay Prizes 2025-26 are open. The Chair of this year’s judging panel is author, critic and journalist Rupert Christiansen.
Poets are asked to write a new work inspired by this year’s prize theme of “Dystopia” or “Utopia”, chosen to mark the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel The Last Man.
Keats-Shelley essayists are invited to write on any aspect of the work and/or lives of the Romantics and their circles.
Keats-Shelley Prize winners receive £1000. Two highly commended entrants in each category will receive £500. All winning and highly commended 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 Mon 2 February 2026.
More information and how to enter both prizes visit www.keats-shelley.org or click here
Have a question about 2025-26’s Prize? Email: prizes@keats-shelley.org