SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Thank you for your interest in submitting an entry for the 2027 Joe Ushie Poetry Prize. Below are the submission guidelines:
- Each entrant is allowed to submit only one poem
- The submission must not exceed fifty lines
- Entries are to be made in English; however, few words from other languages are allowed as part of poetic license
- Each entry must be accompanied by proof of Nigerian citizenship and a bio of about 200 words
- Proof of citizenship must be a photo ID with full name, place and date of birth, etc. Acceptable forms include international passport data page, national ID card, voter’s card or driver’s license
- Poems must be typed in 12 pts Times New Roman font and single-spaced
- Docx format is recommended for submission
- Entries must be received by the deadline: 11:59 p.m. GMT on 20 April 2026. Any entry received afterwards will be automatically disqualified
- Entries are to be made via the Google form provided below. No entries sent via email or social media chat will be considered
- There should be no identifying information (e.g. poet’s name) on the document containing the poem itself
- Entries will not be returned; authors are advised to keep a copy for their own records
- Friends, family members and close associates of the judges and prize organizers are not allowed to enter for the prize
- Any attempt to communicate with the judges or prize organizers during the prize cycle will lead to automatic disqualification
- ALL longlisted poems will be published in the Joe Ushie Poetry Prize Anthology (Vol. 2, 2027); by entering for the Prize, entrants consent to the publication of their longlisted poem in the Prize anthology
- Entrants are required to like and follow the Joe Ushie Literature Foundation social media handles throughout the Prize cycle to remain eligible. [Facebook – Joe Ushie Literature Foundation; X – @JULitFoundation; TikTok – @ju.lit.foundation/JULF]
The Joe Ushie Poetry Prize appreciates your interest, and we look forward to reading your entry.