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2025 Poetry lists

Our judge Jen Calleja was very impressed with the quality of submissions.  Thanks to everyone who entered the competition! The winning entries are listed below. The winning story will be published here soon.

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Shortlisted entries

  • Living in a car under the Severn Bridge by Estelle Price - 1st prize

  • Angelus, after the loss by Edward Limb - 2nd prize

  • Timepiece by Edward Limb - 3rd prize

  • The Franciscan Sister of The Immaculate Conception by John Murray - winner of the Sussex Prize for poetry

  • They keep Drowning Ophelia

  • Our Children the Clouds 

Longlisted entries

Longlist

  • Gifts on the Birth of a Child

  • Our Children the Clouds

  • Timepiece

  • Angellus, after the loss

  • Just Desserts

  • Portrait of My Father as He Thinks…

  • An argument

  • The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

  • Woman Waiting

  • Living in a car under the Severn Bridge

  • A poem in which I win best in show

  • They keep Drowning Ophelia

Almost made the longlist (special mention)

  • Inside Your Head

  • fuchsia as in future

  • inspecting the hives

Thank you to everyone who entered

Hastings Book Festival team

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