Spread the Word and CRIPtic Arts are delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Disabled Poets Prize.
The Disabled Poets Prize was founded by Jamie Hale, with CRIPtic Arts, Spread the Word, and Verve Poetry Press. The Prize is supported by ALCS, the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. The Prize aims to nurture, encourage, and celebrate the talents and successes of deaf and disabled poets.
Barriers to entry to the arts for deaf and disabled people are high, with often inaccessible live spaces and expensive entry prizes. The Disabled Poets Prize, which is free to enter and open to deaf and disabled UK writers, saw 220 entries across two categories – Best Single Poem, and Best Unpublished Pamphlet.
There are a number of cash prizes. Prize-winners and all shortlisted writers will also receive career development opportunities courtesy of Spread the Word, CRIPtic Arts, The Literary Consultancy and Arvon Foundation; while the winner of the Best Unpublished Pamphlet prize will be offered the opportunity to have their book published by Verve Poetry Press.
The final results will be announced at a special event broadcast online as part of 2025 Deptford Literature Festival on Saturday 29 March. Tickets are available to book on Eventbrite.
The 2025 Disabled Poet Prize judges are Khairani Barokka, Polly Atkin and the Prize’s founder, poet Jamie Hale.
2025 Best Single Poem
Shortlist
- Khushi Bajaj – My School has 4.4 stars on Google Maps
- Oli Isaac – to whom / it may / concern
- Imogen McHugh – After her recruitment
- Husna Memon – My Father Has Three Tongues
- Alex Mepham – The Blue Hour
- Erinma Ochu – How to read the atmosphere
- Olivia Tuck – according to the many who loved her
Longlist
- Oliver Carmichael – Prelude
- Bee Gibson – I am sorry for telling you about the rats
- Florence Grieve – A Map of the Theatre by a Girl Who Falls Through the Cracks of Access
- Pippa Marshall – The X-Ray
2025 Best Unpublished Pamphlet
Shortlist
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Jessica Boatright – Burst
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Rue Collinge – HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
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Benjamin J Larner – Freakshow
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Hazel McMichael – Forgetting
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Sarah O’Connor – A Cloudburst of Women
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Erika Phoenix – Welcome to Post Carolina
Longlist
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Joey Hollis – A dictionary of angels
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David McNeish – Let the Tusker Plunge
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Norman Miller – Night Sounds
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Lata Nobes – Mirror
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Anna Shelton – Remedial Swim Class
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Karis Williamson – Tea Apothecary
Congratulations to all the poets and thank you to all those who entered. The judges enjoyed reading all your work.
We hope you will be able to join us on Saturday 29 March for a special broadcast to announce the winners. The event will feature readings from the winning poets and is part of the 2025 Deptford Literature Festival programme. Free tickets are now available to book via Eventbrite.
Donations enable the Prize to develop and grow, so we can reach more disabled poets and provide more opportunities to nurture their writing, artistry and audiences. If you are able to give, please consider doing so on our Total Giving page.