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Worlds into Words: Freedom from Torture Poetry Competition 2026

Closing date: 09 Oct 2026

This competition celebrates the many worlds all writers bring to their work. The theme “Worlds into Worlds” is inspired by the experiences of survivors of torture, whose journeys are not only physical but psychological, shaped by resilience, loss and the search for belonging.

Judges: Alan Hollinghurst and Rachael Allen

Poems can be submitted from anywhere in the world.

Length limit: 40 lines.

First Prize:
– An online mentoring session with poet, lecturer and editor Rachael Allen
– VIP tickets to the competition reading event
– Publication in Freedom from Torture’s quarterly newsletter The Survivor

All winners and runners up will receive book bundles. All winners will have their poem featured on Freedom from Torture’s website and promoted on social media.

Find out more about Worlds into Words: Freedom from Torture Poetry Competition 2026
Entry fee: £5 | £1 for under 18s | Free for those with lived experience as a refugee
Adults Children