The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025 | $1,000+ Cash Prizes

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025 is currently opened for submission. The closing date for receipt of entries is 31 March 2025.

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025 is currently opened for submission. The closing date for receipt of entries is 31 March 2025.

Submission Guidelines for the Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025

The name of the author must not appear on the same page as the poem.

It's not a requirement, but we strongly advise you to purchase a copy of The Caterpillar.

Entries must be in English, typed, with each entry on a new sheet.

Entries will not be returned, so make sure you keep a copy.

No corrections can be made after receipt, or fees refunded.

We will accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify us if your poem is accepted elsewhere

English translations of work originally written in another language are acceptable, as long as the author and the translator agree to share the prize, should they win

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Other Ongoing Writing Competitions

• Submit to Kent & Sussex Poetry Competition 2025
• The Plough Poetry Competition 2025 | £1,000 Cash Prize 
• South Carolina Creative Sociology Writing Competition 2025
• The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025 | $1,000+ Cash Prizes 
• Magma Poetry Competition 2025 | £1,000 Cash Prize 

Eligibility Requirements for the Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025

The Prize is open to anyone over the age of 16.

Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published, self-published, published online or broadcast.

You can enter as as many poems as you like (€15 each poem).

There is no line limit.

Fees

Entry fee is €15 per poem

Online payment should be made to enquiries@thecaterpillarmagazine.com via PayPal through our online payment system.

Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to 'The Moth Magazine Ltd., with the sender's name and address on the back.

We can only accept postal orders from Ireland.

Postal entries can also be paid in cash (either in US dollars, Sterling or Euros at the current exchange rate).

Receipt of entry

Enclose a stamped addressed postcard marked 'ACKNOWLEDGEMENT' if you require acknowledgement of receipt of your postal entry (include international reply coupon if entering from overseas).

Online entries are confirmed by the email receipt of your payment to PayPal.

Copyright

Worldwide copyright of each entry remains with the author, but The Caterpillar will have the unrestricted right to publish the winning poems on the Irish Times online and any relevant promotional material.

Notification

All entrants to the competition, including those who have not been successful, will be notified by email by 14 May 2025.

The winner will be announced in June.

Judging

The judge is Kate Wakeling. Her decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into.

Prizes for the Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2025

• 1st prize €1,000 plus a week at Circle of Misse, 2nd prize €500, 3rd prize €250. Some poems may be commended, at judge's discretion.

Entry implies acceptance of all the rules. Failure to comply with the entry requirements will result in disqualification.

Print ENTRY FORM, fill in and then post with fee and entry to:

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize

c/o The Moth 

Ardan Grange 

Milltown 

Belturbet 

Co. Cavan

Ireland

or

Submit Here Online