Inaugurated in 1998 by the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, The Keats-Shelley Writing Prize encourages people of all ages to respond to the work of the Romantics, by composing their own original poem or essay. Essayists can explore any aspect of the life or work of the Romantic writers. Poets respond to a theme which changes from one year to the next.
In 2021, this theme is 'Writ in Water', to mark bi-centenary of John Keats' death in Rome on 23rd February 1821. Our Prize Chair is Simon Barnes, the award-winning sports journalist and nature writer. Click the link for 2021's Keats-Shelley Prize.
Distinguished judges of the Prize have included two Poet Laureates (Sir Andrew Motion and Dame Carol Ann Duffy), the Makar of Scotland (Liz Lochhead), Stephen Fry, Dame Penelope Lively, Claire Tomalin, Professor Richard Holmes OBE, Tom Paulin, Miranda Seymour, Lord Gilmour, James Fenton, Jack Mapanje, A.N. Wilson, Colin Thubron CBE and Salley Vickers.
For information about the Young Romantics Writing Prize, click here.