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There is still time to enter this years’ sixth international Welsh Poetry Competition and be in with a chance of bagging the £300 1st Prize.

The aim of the competition is to encourage and reward the abundance of creative writing talent that we know exists out there but finds difficulty getting recognition.

Writer and competition organizer Dave Lewis said: “Poets have just over a month left to send us their entries and be in with a chance of a cash prize and publication on our website.

“We are 100% independent, we do not use filter judges, we do not get grants, bursaries or other public money from the Arts Council but are purely self-financing.

“This year we’ve already had entries from France, India, USA, New Zealand and Cameroon to name just a few places. We are looking for new and innovative writers, so if you think you’re the one why not send us your work!

“We’ve had five great years now which confirms the Welsh Poetry Competition as a truly international event firmly embedded in the literary calendar. As always many people enter because they know it is a unique opportunity and feel our competition is judged fairly.

“We aim to discover previously unpublished voices and are less concerned with an academic approach to poetry but would rather see pure raw passion burst onto the creative writing scene in Wales.

“The prize money for 2012 is as follows. Prizes are: 1st Prize - £300, 2nd Prize - £150 and 3rd Prize - £75 plus 17 runners-up being published on our website.

“We are absolutely delighted that John Evans, has agreed to judge this year’s competition. He has become an internationally respected figure both for his writing and his work campaigning to conserve our wildlife and environment.”

To enter you just need to compose a poem, in English, of less than 50 lines and send to the competition organizers. Entry forms are available by post, can be downloaded from the web site or picked up from all of Wales’ libraries. It is only £4 to enter and the closing date is Sunday 27th May 2012.

Competition Website - www.welshpoetry.co.uk

Competition Judge – www.johnevans.org.uk

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