Candlestick Press: Christmas Tree Poetry Competition

Candlestick Press is looking for five new poems to feature in its festive pamphlet for 2025. Christmas Tree will be published in September and will contain poems about all kinds of Christmas trees and what they mean to us – everything from the indoor conifers we decorate with lights and tinsel to trees in the wild, laden with mistletoe or snow, or full of berries for the birds. Any tree is valid, as long as it suits the Christmas/winter theme. Be inspired by winter walks, special family times, choosing a tree, recycling it or even planting one.

Poems should be no longer than 37 lines, including title and stanza breaks. It must also be new, unpublished, and not currently submitted elsewhere. Submissions must be written in English.

Prizes:
In addition to publication, each winner will receive £100 and 10 copies of Christmas Tree.

Judges:
Di Slaney and Kathy Towers (Candlestick editorial team)