Could you be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate 2024/25?
Warwickshire Libraries are delighted to announce that the competition to become Young Poet Laureate 2024/25 is now open. The search is on for the county's tenth Young Poet Laureate, who will succeed May Vaughan in the role for 2024/25.
The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience. Our Young Poet Laureate will take part in events and activities across the county and is offered the mentorship of a professional poet. Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops.
Applications are now welcome before the deadline of 6pm on Thursday 3 October 2024. The judges will then get to work and shortlisted candidates will be notified by Thursday 24 October.
Our shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in a Selection Day which includes a workshop with a professional poet, a short individual interview with our judges and a performance in front of an audience at a public event. This will take place at Rugby Library on Saturday 9 November. Please ensure when applying that you are available on this date.
How to apply
Applicants need to:
- Be 13-17 years old.
- Live and be educated in Warwickshire.
- Fill in our Application Form (you can apply online using the link below or download and print the form)
- Submit three poems. One should be inspired by Warwickshire; one should be about or inspired by libraries and the third can be of your own choosing.
- Submit a personal statement and explain in 250 words:
- Why you want to be Warwickshire Libraries’ Young Poet Laureate
- How you would promote poetry to the diverse range of people
or download the form (see below for instructions about submitting)
The closing date is Thursday 3 October 2024 at 6pm.
Entries can be submitted online using the link above or emailed to libraryevents@warwickshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, printed entries can be posted to The Reading and Learning Team, Unit 4, WCC Hawkes Point, 1 Hawkes Drive, Heathcote Industrial Estate, Warwick, CV34 6LX (they must arrive by 6pm on Thursday 5 October 2023).
Data Privacy and Use Statement: We need this information in order to accept and assess your application for the Young Poet Laureate position. We need a way to communicate with you. We will store your details in a way that protects your privacy and process it under the lawful basis of public task. You can read our full Privacy Notice at warwickshire.gov.uk/privacyls.
For more information about the Young Poet Laureate scheme or if you have any questions about the application process, please email libraryevents@warwickshire.gov.uk.
The Young Poet Laureate competition is run by Warwickshire Libraries and supported by Poetry on Loan, an initiative supported by Arts Council England that promotes contemporary poetry throughout public libraries in the West Midlands.
Free poetry workshops
If you are interested in applying for Young Poet Laureate 2024/25 and would like to attend a poetry workshop from current Young Poet Laureate Emilie Lauren Jones for hints and tips on how to improve your poetry, then book your free workshop at one of our libraries:
Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate 2023/24
The ninth Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate was named in November 2024. May Vaughan from Stratford Girls' Grammar School, was appointed to the role on Saturday 4 November 2024 at a Selection Day at Rugby Library where five talented and wonderful shortlisted candidates competed for the title.
Candidates took part in a 90 minute workshop with Coventry Poet Laureate 2021/23, Emilie Lauren Jones, who shared creative tips and advice about how to successfully deliver poetry performances.
The candidates then each took part in interviews in front of a judging panel, which consisted of delivering a poetry performance and answering a series of questions, including sharing their ideas about the Young Poet Laureate role. The day culminated in the judges selecting May as Young Poet Laureate 2023/24.
During her appointment May has:
- performed at a poetry evening at Coleshill Library,
- spoken to a reading group for young people at Warwick Library
- been commissioned to write a poem to celebrate the launch of our new electric mobile libraries.
- been filmed at Rugby Library for a library promotional video
- performed at Book Award Ceremonies with Warwickshire Schools Library Service
- performed at The South Warwickshire Literary Festival