Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Competition 2012

We are happy to announce that the International Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Competition will be re-launched on 23rd February 2012 (entries will not be accepted before that date). The prize includes the publication of a first poetry collection by the winning author and twenty free copies of the book. The overall competition winner and two runners-up will also be featured in Volume XVI of the Cork Literary Review.

The closing date for the competition is 5.30pm on the 19th June 2012 (deadline extended from 18th May 2012).

Judge for 2012

The judge for the Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Competition for 2011 will be Director of Poetry Ireland Joseph Woods.

Joseph Woods is a poet and Director of Poetry Ireland since 2001. His collections Sailing to Hokkaido (2001) and Bearings (2005) were both published by the Worple Press, UK. For his first book, he won the Patrick Kavanagh Award. Dedalus Press gathered his first two collections in one volume entitled Cargo (2010) and in May 2011 they published his third collection Ocean Letters.

‘A poet with the whole world in his hip-pocket.’
—James J McAuley

‘the colour is electrifying, as in ‘Private Language’… Elsewhere in ‘Trans-Siberian’ or ‘Interview’ it is muted and controlled… If Woods is technically expert it is not to dazzle but to reveal his subject matter… His work as a whole shows an impressive reach and range.’

– Eiléan Ni Chuilleanáin on Sailing to Hokkaido

Last Year’s Winner – White Space by Cliona O’Connell

Cliona O’Connell’s winning collection, White Space is being launched in Poetry Ireland on 23 February 2012. It is being launched by Jean O’Brien, 2011 judge of the Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Competition.

Jean O’Brien, 2011 Judge		Cliona O’Connell, 2011 Winner

“Cliona O’Connell is a new voice in poetry, a voice both subtle and familiar.  A great namer of things, a creator of prayerful descriptions in poems like ‘Late Snow,’ ‘Performer’ and ‘Ikea,’ she arrests the passing world with an unerring emotional attentiveness. Here is modern, relaxed versecraft, laden with feelings as deep as ‘Fado’ and wit as sharp as ‘Damselfly.’

-Thomas McCarthy

‘ the poet had something to say and found an interesting way to say it. A lot of the work, such as ‘Billy Collin’s Clothes’ and ‘Innocence’ have a very Muldoonish use and play with language, they are diverse and interesting. These poems use language well and are witty with some striking images.’

- Jean O’Brien

If you would like more information on the launch of White Space in Poetry Ireland, search for Tigh Filí on Facebook and check out the event page. If you would like to purchase a copy of Cliona’s collection, you can do so (after the launch) using our website, through www.amazon.co.uk or at Waterstones.

The Cork launch of White Space will take place in late spring 2012. Keep an eye on Bradshaw Books for further updates.

Entry Form

Please download the document attached, which contains the application form and guidelines for entry.

Entry form

Entry Fee

Submission Guidelines

Guidelines for Entry:

• Poets will make an initial submission of 5-10 of their best poems.
• Each poem must be typed on a separate sheet of A4 paper.
• Entrant’s name must not appear on the text. Completed entry form should be sent on a separate sheet of paper and enclosed in a sealed envelope.
• Entries must be accompanied by a €20.00 registration fee. (This fee covers the cost of reading and handling, judge’s fees, etc.) The fee may be paid through the Paypal system on the Bradshaw Books website (note: please quote payment reference number on the entry form). Alternatively, entrants may enclose a cheque or postal order with their submissions for the entry fee amount, made payable to Bradshaw Books.
• Entries must arrive no later than 5.00p.m. on 19 June 2012.
• At the end of June, a long-list of poets will be announced. Long-listed poets will then be contacted by the Competition to submit their full collection. The winner and two runners-up will be announced in late summer/early Autumn.

Please note:

• All work submitted should be previously unpublished as a full manuscript. However, individual poems may have been published in journals or have been entered into competitions, as long as the copyright is currently with the poet.
• Submissions by email will not be accepted. All submissions must be posted.
• Manuscripts will only be returned if accompanied by a SAE.
• The purpose of this competition is to publish a full collection of poetry by an emerging poet. In the event that the winning poet is not able to provide the competition with a complete collection, the runner-up will be awarded the prize of a first poetry collection publication.
• Submissions which fail to meet these terms will not be forwarded for judging.
• The poetry competition is open to poets of any nationality writing in English.
• The judge’s decision is final.
• Notification of receipt of entry will be sent by email.
• Copyright of the poetry returns to the poet one year after publication of the collection. Copyright of the collection remains with Bradshaw Books.
• Notification of receipt of entry will normally be by email.
• No correspondence will be entered into once work has been submitted.
• Poems cannot be altered or changed after they have been entered.
• The winner’s collection published by Bradshaw Books in late 2012/early 2013.