Spread the Word partners with Hale to launch Disabled Poets Prize

Writing development agency Spread the Word is partnering with poet and theatre maker Jamie Hale to launch the Disabled Poets Prize.

Created in collaboration with Verve Poetry Press, Verve Poetry Festival and CRIPtic Arts, the prize aims to spotlight the work of deaf and disabled poets, written in English and British Sign Language. It is billed as the first award in the UK to exclusively focus on poetry from the deaf and disabled community.

Deaf and disabled poets are invited to submit writing in the three categories of best single poem, best unpublished pamphlet and best poem performed in British Sign Language. In each category there will be a first-place prize of £500, a second of £250, and a third-place prize of £100. Three poets will also be highly commended and receive £50 each.

Winning writers will also be offered professional development opportunities, including a publication deal with Verve Poetry Press for the best unpublished pamphlet as well as development prizes from the Literary Consultancy and Arvon Foundation. Submissions open on 1st September.

Hale said: “The barriers to developing my career were immense – from the need for expensive software and hardware to write, to the fact that many poetry events are held in wheelchair inaccessible venues. I created this prize because I’ve been lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had, and I want other writers to share in that.”

Director of Spread the Word Ruth Harrison said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Disabled Poets Prize. This is long overdue, and it is more important than ever to provide platforms and opportunities for disabled poets to have their voices heard and their creativity and talent celebrated and recognised.”

Stuart Bartholomew, co-founder and director of Verve, added: "We are thrilled to see a prize for disabled poets emerging into the world – too often overlooked and generally pretty badly catered for in the events landscape, some of the most vital and must-hear voices in UK and world poetry are disabled. If this prize helps to get these voices heard, to create more platforms for poetry by disabled people to be heard, then it will have done us great service.”

In its first year, the prize is being funded by CRIPtic Arts, Spread the Word, Verve Poetry Press and Festival, and individual donations from Hale and arts activist Nathalie Teitler. The organisers are actively seeking donations and conversations with people and companies who are interested in supporting deaf and disabled poets and who would like to contribute.