The Forward Prizes for Poetry has announced their 2025 shortlists, celebrating exceptional poetic talent across the UK and Ireland, per publishingperspectives.com. A total of £17,000 in prize money will be awarded across four categories: Best Collection, Best First Collection, Best Single Written Poem, and Best Single Performed Poem.
This year’s jurors highlighted a diverse field of entries. Juror Rommi Smith noted the inclusion of poets who use British Sign Language, an observation that coincides with Europe’s new Accessibility Act. Another juror, Sean O’Brien, expressed his delight at discovering “work that endures and renews itself for successive readers and listeners” among both established and emerging poets.
The winners will be revealed at a special ceremony on October 26 at London’s Southbank Centre as part of the London Literature Festival. The event will be a highlight for the poetry community, following the UK’s National Poetry Day on October 2.
The highly anticipated lists feature a mix of well-known and new voices, with five poets vying for the top spot in each category. The prizes aim to champion fresh poetic talent and recognise the most compelling work being produced today. The Forward Prizes continue to be a leading force in celebrating the vibrant and evolving world of poetry.
