There’s the possibility of having your poetry published in a 20-page pamphlet while supporting the homeless, if you take part  in the International Lumen/Camden Poetry Competition 2012. The contest, organised with Ward Wood Publishing, is aimed at raising funds for the London Homeless Cold Weather Shelters Project. Last year’s competition, which was judged by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, raised over £2,000. The winning poem, An Apple Spouts Philosophy in an Office Car Park, by Caroline Squire will be launched in a chapbook of the same name in November.

Entry rules: The winner will have a collection of their poems published in a 20-page chapbook and will receive 50 copies of their collection delivered free within the UK and will be invited to read from their work at the Camden and Lumen open mic events and Friday Night Writers in London. The winner will be selected on the basis of just one poem. Maximum length of each entry is 40 lines; all entries must be previously unpublished work; the entry fee is £2.50 per poem or £10 for six; closing date is 14 February 2012.

The pamphlet will be published by Ward Wood Publishing. International entrants, without a UK bank account should use pay pal (see below)

Payments:

By post: Send your poems and a cheque (payable to Cold Weather Shelter) to Ruth O’Callaghan, 49 Ripley Gardens, Mortlake London, SW14 8HF.

In person: Take your entry to one of the Camden and Lumen open mic events and hand it to Ruth, who will pass it on to Carol Ann Duffy

Online: Go to the Competitions page on wardwoodpublishing.co.uk international entries are welcome

The next Lumen open mic event is on Tuesday 20 September,  at  88 Tavistock Place, London WC1.(Nearest tube stations: Russell Square, Kings Cross St Pancras, Euston) with guest poets Chris Considine, Steve Griffiths. and Christine Webb. Poets from the floor are very welcome, with some longer spots available. Please bring a copy of the poem if you wish to be considered for the new anthology. This year the anthology is edited by Ruth O’Callaghan. Entry: £5/£4.  Wine and soft drinks. Map

The next Camden open mic event is on 7 October, with guest poets Martin Lyon and Jonathan Staffen, at Trinity United Reform Church, 1 Buck Street, Camden Town. starting at 7pm (doors open 6.30).  Entry: £5/£4. Wine  Map