Welcome to the Poetry Book Awards website.
We are an annual, international book award given to the best poetry books produced by indie writers, self-published authors or books published by small, truly independent presses. We are proud to be a Welsh-based, international contest open to all indie poets globally.
The 2026 Awards
Our 7th contest is now open to entries.
This year, we have increased the prize money for winning books, and shall be awarding the following:
1st Prize – £800
2nd Prize – £400
3rd Prize – £200
As well as the prizes above, we are also going to award a single prize to the best children’s poetry book submitted to the contest. To find out more – click here.
Winners also get:
- Amazon & Goodreads reviews
- Earn recognition by having an award-winning book
- Certificate, logo to use on books and future work
- Your book cover & link on our website
- All books are donated to local libraries/local bookshop/free bookshop after the awards, so you get more publicity
Judge – Dave Lewis
Closing date: 31st May 2026
Previous Winners
The 2025 Awards
1st Prize Taplash Meditations – Napier Marten
2nd Prize Wheels Within Wheels – Jane Fuller
3rd Prize Meet Us and Eat Us – Vilma Bharatan and Liz Kendall
To see all our past winners – click here.
All images copyright © Dave Lewis apart from: