Essays may be on any aspect of the writing and/or lives of the Romantics and their circles.
Essay Rules
Essays should be no more than 3,000 words including quotations.
Entries must be original works. Plagiarism will not be accepted, including AI-generated work. All sources must be acknowledged. They must not have been published previously, either in print or online or in any other media, nor previously submitted to us.
Essay judge Professor Sharon Ruston writes: ‘I want to read a well-organised, lively, and well-expressed essay. It should be arguing a point and offer persuasive evidence in its case. We are also looking for someone who has a deep and creative interest in Keats, Shelley or their circle.’
Entry to the Essay Prize is free.
Prize Deadline: 10am (GMT) on Monday 2 February 2026
• All entries must be submitted via the website.
• Entries are open to anyone aged 18 or over on 1 September 2025.
• Please do not put your name on the entry. Poems and essays are sent to the judges anonymously.
• Please put the title of your poem or essay at the top of the page.
• Entries may be submitted from any part of the world but must be in English and in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Click the green button below and complete the Entry Form.
Remember to attach your entry and click the box agreeing to the GDPR and Copyright conditions. To complete the process, click the green ‘Submit Prize Entry’ button.
Your ID number will appear. This is confirmation that your entry has been received. Please make a note of it.
Entrants to the Keats-Shelley Poetry Prize must also pay the £10 entry fee.
Have a question about 2025-26’s Prize? Email: prizes@keats-shelley.org