Wigtown Poetry Prizes 2024: 

A Celebration of Scotland's Linguistic Diversity

The shortlist for the 2024 Wigtown Poetry Prizes has been announced, and it's a testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the Scottish literary scene. With over 500 entries submitted from across the globe, these awards truly embody the spirit of international collaboration and cultural exchange, while staying firmly rooted in Scotland's rich heritage.

A Global Celebration of Scottish Languages

The Wigtown Poetry Prizes are unique in their celebration of Scotland's three indigenous languages: English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic. This year, the competition received an impressive 530 entries, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for these awards and the enduring power of poetry to connect people across linguistic and geographical boundaries.

Nicholas Walker, Chair of the Wigtown Poetry Prize Group, expressed his delight at the increasing interest in the prizes: "Poetry enriches our lives and cultures. The Wigtown Poetry Prizes are particularly special because they are rooted in the heritage of Scotland but aim to nurture and encourage poets from every part of the world, in Scotland’s three different languages."

A Challenging but Rewarding Task for the Judges

This year's judging panel includes the multi-award-winning Gerda Stevenson, one of Scotland's most celebrated creative voices. Stevenson describes the judging process as both "challenging" and "fascinating," highlighting the high caliber of the submissions and the diverse range of themes explored by the poets.

"Reading through a hundred pamphlets, well over a thousand poems, was a complex task, examining the way in which the poems in each pamphlet linked thematically," she said. "The International Prize was less arduous in this respect, but just as fascinating to consider the level of craft employed in each single poem submitted."

Liz Niven, who is judging the Fresh Voice Award, also expressed her admiration for the entrants' work. "I was hoping to find poetry to engage with, richness of subject matter and imagery, alongside attention to structure. I found all this and more from the entrants to the Fresh Voice Award," she remarked.

The Shortlists

The 2024 Wigtown Poetry Prizes shortlists feature a diverse range of voices and styles, reflecting the breadth and depth of contemporary poetry.

• Wigtown International Prize:

  • Wandering Star, Jane Frank
  • Cracked, Magi Gibson
  • The Obituary of Megan Boyd, Louise Greig
  • Homosexual, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir
  • Matter, Kristen Mears
  • Inversion Layers, Jilly O’Brien

• Wigtown Gaelic Prize (Supported by The Gaelic Books Council):

  • Bana-bhuidsich Allt a’ Mhuilinn, Ceitidh Campbell
  • Fianais, Rònaigh an Taibh, Rody Gorman
  • Pràiseach, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir
  • Immram, Taylor Strickland
  • Crìoch cànain, Mona Claudia Wagner

• Wigtown Scots Prize (Supported by Saltire Society):

  • Loch Awe, Lesley Benzie
  • A Black Ex-Miner Caas Doon the Miners' Raws, Robert Duncan
  • Sit In Yir Ain Licht, Rob McClure
  • Karneval, Shane Strachan
  • Whaun She is Done, Lynn Valentine

• Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize:

  • I Go To The Devil, Sarah Gibbons
  • wOmen’s wOrk, Jennifer Harrison
  • The Broken Smashed Rubble of Everything I Owned, Wes Lee

• Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award:

  • Wednesday Afternoons: Agnew Park, Jane Fuller
  • In Between Places, Suzannah Goss
  • Watery Limits, Diane Schofield

Save the Date!

The winners will be announced at a special event during the Wigtown Book Festival on Friday, October 4th, 2024. This promises to be a memorable evening, celebrating the power of poetry and the richness of Scotland's linguistic heritage.

For more information and full details of the shortlisted poets and their work, please visit www.wigtownpoetryprize.com

The Wigtown Poetry Prizes continue to be a beacon of literary excellence, showcasing the best of contemporary poetry from Scotland and beyond. They serve as a reminder of the power of language to connect, inspire, and transform. We eagerly await the announcement of the winners and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Wigtown Book Festival!