*The call for entries for the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award 2024 is now closed*
Below are some pre-emptive FAQs. We will add to these questions as we receive them via email. Please email admin@edwinmorgantrust.com with any questions that you have.
Q: What do you mean by ‘unpublished’ poems?
A: Any poem that has not been published in print or online (including on social media or personal websites) and has not been accepted for publication at the time of your submission. This includes self-published work.
Q: What do you mean by a ‘full-length collection’?
A: A full-length collection typically contains 48–96 pages of poems. You are eligible to enter the EMPA if you have published a short printed book, such as a pamphlet, chapbook or zine.
Q: What do you mean by ‘ongoing resident of Scotland’?
A: Previous EMPAs required that entrants should have lived in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years. With this new criteria, we recognise that investment in a country, identity or place is not necessarily measured simply by time spent there. While we no longer dictate a minimum period of time spent living in Scotland, we expect that all applicants have an ongoing investment in/ connection to Scotland.
Q: Can I submit one 12-page poem rather than 10 individual poems?
A: The guidance of 10 poems is to ensure that judges can get a wide sample of your work. The New Divan by Edwin Morgan may be considered to be one single poem of many pages, yet his approach, format, subject and language changed and developed across the book. If you would like to include one 12-page poem, ensure that it reflects an overview of your writing style and practice.
Q: Does the Edwin Morgan Trust gain any ownership/ printing rights to submitted, shortlisted or winning entries?
A: One or two poems from shortlisted poets will be put on our website in the lead-up to the announcement of the Awards. However, we do not ask for any ongoing copyright or publishing rights, other than for EMPA promotional use.
Q: Who will be judging the award?
A: We have assembled a panel of judges who will be nominating, reviewing and awarding the EMPA 2024. This panel will be announced in November 2023.
Q: What is the difference between ‘nominated’ poets and the ‘open-call’ process?
A: We understand that an ‘open call’ is not necessarily open to everyone – and some folk may not be in a position where they are able to/ feel welcome to apply, or have not felt represented in our previous EMPA prizes. We want to be proactive about reaching different communities and have assembled a nomination committee to directly nominate poets that they feel are deserving of the EMPA. In addition to this nomination stream, we have an open call. A longlist of 20 nominated and open-call entries will be reviewed by the judges, who will collectively decide on the EMPA 2024 shortlist and award-winners (with £20,000 split between 1–4 winners).
Q: Can I apply with poems that I have submitted to EMPA awards previously?
A: You can, but we strongly advise that poems have been significantly re-worked and developed.
Q: I want to apply with sound/ footage. What is the best way to do this?
A: Please upload your submission to soundcloud or vimeo and provide a link and password via the online submission form for the panel to access. Please make sure that your name or other identifying features are removed from the video/ sound file to ensure anonymity.
Q: Can I submit poems in languages other than English, Gaelic and Scots?
A: Edwin Morgan wrote in a number of languages – even invented ones! Our format asks for ‘primarily’ English, Scots and Gaelic. If using other languages in your work please provide a gloss or a translation where appropriate. The Trust will ensure that your application will be assessed in the original language, but, as a courtesy to all judges, a translation into English should be supplied.
Q: Does the 12-page limit include a cover page?
A: 12 pages have been allocated for your poetry only – a cover or end page is fine to include, as long as it does not form a core part of your poetry submission.
Q: I would like to submit some of my poems as audio recordings and some of my poems as written text. Is this possible?
A: If you wish to include spoken word poems and written poems in your submission, please submit 1) a PDF of all your poems; 2) an audio recording of the spoken word poems to accompany it. In the PDF, please use an asterisk (*) to identify which of the poems are included in the audio recording.
edwinmorgantrust.com 