A new satellite event at the Byron Bay Writers Festival will be introduced this year, called the John West Youth Poetry Cup. With a $500 cash prize, the competition is for 10 – 18-year-olds, entry is free, and the cup will be contested in a spoken-word show (there are no written entries).
The youth poetry cup is funded through a bequest by the late Melbourne poet John West, and the show will be hosted by the longtime ‘Writers at the Rails’ co-ordinator David Hallett.
August 3
Hallett says, ‘The contest is for a single, original, two-minute poem, which will be recited by the young writer. There are no themes or subjects, and there will be three judges to determine both the poem and the poet’s performance to pick the winner’.
‘This exciting new poetry comp for kids will be contested at the Byron Bay Library on Saturday August 3. Entries will be taken at 3pm, and the show will start at 3.30pm. Entries are limited. For any further information email [email protected].