Submissions are now invited for the annual Hay Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition, and we are delighted to announce the judge for 2025 is the remarkable, Gareth Writer-Davies. The theme this year is entirely open and we hope to receive a wide variety of poems and poetry styles for this competition.

Gareth Writer-Davies lives near the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) and takes his writing inspiration from the beautiful Welsh mountains and rivers of his home. His notable achievements include – Shortlisted Bridport Prize (2014, 2017, 2024), Commended Prole Laureate Competition (2015 & 2021) Prole Laureate (2017) , Welsh Poetry Competition Highly Commended (2017), Winner, Wirral Festival Poetry Competition (2023), Runner Up, Spelt Poetry Competition (2023). His publications are: “Cry Baby” (2017), “Bodies” (2015) , “Wysg” (2022) “The End” (2019) “The Lover’s Pinch” (2018). He was a Hawthornden Fellow (2019)

Gareth has written 5 collections, Bodies (2015), and Cry Baby (2017), published by Indigo Dreams.

Featured above, The Lover’s Pinch (2018), and The End (2019), published by Arenig Press.

His latest book, WYSG (2022) is also published by Arenig Press.

In WYSG Gareth Writer-Davies is instantly recognisable, as he navigates the borderlands of Wales, seeking to bridge the new and the familiar; the streaming of our lives, our conflicts with nature, getting older and always, where we have been and where we are going?

“In these sharply-worked, elegant poems, Gareth Writer-Davies takes the reader on a voyage of mid Wales which invites us to see this landscape in a vivid light.” – Katherine Stansfield

– HWC POETRY COMPETITION –
FIRST PRIZE £100

The Hay Writer’s Circle Poetry Competition 2025 is open to everyone.

The first prize of £100 with additional cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd placed poems.

The closing date for entries is midnight Tuesday 22nd April, 2025
Results will be announced mid May.

Original, unpublished poems of up to 40 lines maximum on any theme.

At our discretion, the winning poems will be published on the Hay Writer’s website. Publication may prevent eligibility for future competitions. All rights remain with the author.

For full competition guide lines and entry form please download the file below :

… or head on over to our Competitions page and read it there too.

Remember, anyone can enter this poetry competition and we can’t wait to read your amazing poems.

Good luck!

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