The Litfest ‘World into Words’ Poetry Map

Submit a Poem

The theme of this year’s Litfest digital poetry map is ‘The World into Words’.

How you interpret that theme is up to you – it could be about describing the world you know, or it could be about imagining our world through a different lens. Or it could be about how language and the world intersect, whether politically, culturally, linguistically or historically.

You can submit up to three poems of up to 40 lines each to our digital poetry map – see below for full terms and conditions. And you may also be chosen to read at our gala reading with poet Malika Booker.

To submit, use the form below.

Files should be in Word Document or PDF format.
Each poem will be added to our poetry map — please supply a relevant location for each poem you submit.

Litfest ‘World into Words’ Poetry Map — Terms and Conditions

Status of these terms and conditions

  1. When you submit a poem for the Litfest ‘World into Words’ Poetry Map (“the Project”) you are confirming that you have read and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
  2. These terms and conditions are governed by English law and take precedence over any local rules or laws pertaining to the same subject matter.

Submissions criteria

  1. By submitting a poem, the person submitting (“the Participant”) acknowledges that their submitted poem will be published on the Website as part of the Project.
  2. No responsibility is accepted for poems that do not fit the Submissions Criteria (see below), and these poems will not be published on the Website.
  3. Participants may submit up to three poems
  4. Each poem should be no longer than 40 lines, and about or somehow related to the theme of ‘The World into Words’.
  5. Poems must be written primarily in English (a few words in other languages are permitted).
  6. Poems must be written by the Participant. They must not have been created using AI.
  7. Entries must not have been published in print, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed (2nd, 3rd, runner up etc) in any other competition.
  8. If your entry has been long-listed or shortlisted in other competitions, but has not won a prize or been published, it is eligible.
  9. Simultaneous submissions are allowed but will become ineligible should they win a prize elsewhere, be published or scheduled for future publication prior to the date of the Event.
  10. Participants warrant that: (i) the Submission does not violate any laws of the United Kingdom or infringe upon another party’s trademark or copyright or other intellectual property right (ii) the Submission contains nothing obscene, defamatory or libellous nor is in any other way unlawful.
  11. By submitting to the Project under these terms and conditions, each Participant indemnifies Litfest against any loss or damage resulting from the submission(s), their associated activity and any breach of any warranty.

Acceptance Criteria

  1. Litfest reserves all rights to reject poems which it considers in any way unsuitable for publication, or if publishing it would violate English copyright law.
  2. Every Participant is fully responsible for the consequences of providing false/misleading information.
  3. Any poem that is plagiarized or accompanied by false information will be rejected from the Project.

Poem Judging and Selection

  1. Of the submitted poems, Litfest and associated judges will select a selection of 15 pieces to be a part of a Litfest event.
  2. By submitting a poem to the Project, Participants acknowledge that the poem will be considered for selection to be read at the Event by the Participant or a nominated reader.
  3. All submissions will be judged and selected Participants will be contacted via email on or before Monday 10 March 2024.
  4. Event participation is optional and contingent on the agreement of both Litfest and the Participant.
  5. Any decision of Litfest and associated judges in respect of matters to do with the Project will be final and no correspondence will be entered into unless initiated by Litfest or associated judges.

Submissions Open Date, Close Date and Judging

  1. Poems may be submitted from 00:01 BST, 01 Feb 2025 until 23:59 BST, 5 March 2025.
  2. Participants may cancel their submission by emailing Litfest ([email protected]) at any time, in which case Litfest will undertake to remove the poem from the Website within three working days.

Copyright, privacy, and liability

  1. Copyright of all submitted poem(s) remains with their original authors.
  2. If the poem submitted is written by the Participant, the Participant grants a worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable licence to Litfest for use of the poem as part of the Project, including on the Website and through other channels as Litfest deems appropriate (including but not necessarily limited to social media channels).
  3. By submitting to the Project, Participants warrant that the personal information provided on the submissions form and in any subsequent dealings with the Project is accurate.
  4. Personal information will only be used in administering the Project. When you provide this information you are giving your consent for it to be used for this purpose. Litfest will handle personal information in accordance with the provisions of English law, and will only retain your personal information for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in these Terms and Conditions.
  5. If you wish to be informed what personal information we hold about you, or if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us at [email protected].