Submissions are now open for the 2025 Newcastle Poetry Prize, one of the nation’s most significant literary awards, offering poets across Australia the chance to showcase their work on a major stage.
For more than forty years, the prize has celebrated the craft of poetry, highlighting Newcastle’s place as a cultural hub and literary stronghold.
The University of Newcastle continues its long-standing support of the award, sponsoring the $15,000 First Prize and reaffirming its commitment to nurturing literature and the arts.
This year, the timing of the prize has shifted to coincide with the Newcastle Writers Festival, ensuring the announcement of winners and the launch of the accompanying anthology take place as part of the city’s premier literary event.
The partnership strengthens Newcastle’s reputation as a centre of Australian literature and gives poetry a prominent place in the festival program.
Several new developments will also make this year’s prize especially meaningful. The Harri Jones Memorial Award, established in honour of the acclaimed poet and University of Newcastle lecturer, has been increased to $1,500, continuing to encourage writers aged 35 and under.
The Hunter Writers’ Centre Member Prize has also been renamed to commemorate Jan Dean, a much-loved local poet whose legacy continues to inspire.
In addition, a new $500 award, the Kade Fenwick Prize, will debut this year, to be sustained for the next three years.
Honouring the memory of Kade Fenwick, a passionate poet and advocate for Indigenous, trans and LGBTQI+ rights, the award recognises poetry’s power to give voice to diverse experiences and communities.
Submissions for the 2025 Newcastle Poetry Prize are open now and will close on Sunday, 7 December. The shortlist will be revealed in February, with the prize winners announced and the anthology launched on Saturday, 28 March, at the Newcastle Writers Festival. For more details, visit hunterwriterscentre.org.
