The William Bonar Prize
| The William Bonar Prize An Annual Poetry Prize in memory of the poet William Bonar was launched in 2021. This gifted and well-loved poet brought out three collections of poetry – his two most recent on Red Squirrel Press – and was the co-founder of St Mungo’s Mirrroball – the Glasgow poetry network. This prize is supported by St Mungo’s Mirrorball and Red Squirrel Press. The 2021 prize was won by Morag Smith * The William Bonar Poetry Prize 2022 (Supported by St Mungo’s Mirrorball and Scotland-based publisher Red Squirrel Press.) Submissions are now open for the second, 2022, annual poetry prize for Scottish-based poets in memory of William Bonar. This gifted and well-loved poet was the co-founder of St Mungo’s Mirrorball. He published three titles, his second pamphlet and full collection were published by Red Squirrel Press. Eligibility Entrants should be over 18 years old and currently based in Scotland. They should not previously have had a pamphlet or collection published by a publisher. Entry is free but restricted to one entry each year. Process Entries should be of 10-12 poems, must be the original work of the poet and can be in English, Scots and Gaelic. The poems should not be more than five years old and entries should be accompanied by a short biography in a single document. Email entries marked ‘The William Bonar Poetry Prize’ to jimcarruth63@gmail.com Judges The judges are Sheila Wakefield, Founder and Editor of Red Squirrel Press, Elizabeth Rimmer, Red Squirrel Press poet who also does some editing at the press, Eleanor Livingstone (Former Director of StAnza), Padraig MacAoidh (Gaelic judge) and Lynnda Wardle, writer and William Bonar’s partner. Prize The winner will receive the following: · Publication of a pamphlet by Red Squirrel Press · 30 free copies and 50% discount on unlimited further copies · Editorial support in developing their pamphlet from poet, ‘The Dark Horse’ founder, editor, essayist, typesetter and designer Gerry Cambridge who is Red Squirrel Press in-house typesetter and designer. Closing Date The Closing date is 31st December 2022 and the winner is expected to be announced on 17th February 2023 which would have been William Bonar’s 70th birthday. Last year’s winner of the William Bonar Poetry Prize (2021) was Morag Smith, and she will read from her winning pamphlet at St Mungo’s Mirrorball on Wednesday 16th November 2022. |
St Mungo's Mirrorball 