The NSW Writers’ Centre and The Blake Society present the 2011 Blake Poetry Prize.

Now open for entries.

Exploring the Religious & Spiritual Through Poetry.

This national award, now in its fourth year and generously supported by Leichhardt Municipal Council, offers a cash prize of $5,000 for a new poem that best explores the religious or spiritual. The prize is non-sectarian and encourages Australian poets to write a new work of up to 100 lines displaying a critical awareness of issues relating to the religious or spiritual. Poems sympathetic to those concepts are also equally welcome.

Tasha Sudan, winner of the 2010 Blake Poetry Prize for her poem 'Rahula' said, “It is so important to have a prize that focuses purely on the spiritual. The Blake Poetry Prize is a wonderful opportunity for poets to engage people with the deeper questions of the human heart and mind.” Rev. Dr Rod Pattenden, Chairperson of the Blake Society added, “It has often been through the slow shy work of poets and artists that Australians have accessed the mysterious depths and prickly irritations of what we might consider the religious and spiritual imagination to be. This Prize gives an
opportunity to enjoy the unique contribution of poetry to this important cultural conversation.”

The NSW Writers’ Centre exists to promote writing-based culture and the rights and interests of writers in NSW. The Centre provides a dynamic program of activities including workshops, seminars, festivals, competitions and mentorships.
The Blake Society, named for the poet and artist William Blake, aims to stimulate the interaction of ideas and spiritual thought across all artistic media in Australia.

Entries must be received by 5.00pm, Friday 3 June 2011 and the winner will be announced on Thursday 15 September 2011.

Entry forms and more information are available at www.nswwriterscentre.org.au or call 02 9555 9757.