FAQs
Why should I enter my book to the Sarah Maguire Prize?
The Sarah Maguire Prize aims to raise the profile of contemporary poetry in English translation. We will publish a selection of chosen poems in an anthology which will be distributed to English readers and audiences in order to promote the selected poets, translators and their books. The winning poet and their translator, or translators, will share a prize of £3,000. Additionally, shortlisted poets, translators and publishers will all be invited to a UK award ceremony, for which some travel subsidy is available. Press and marketing support will be available to shortlisted publishers, to help promote the selected books.
Is there a cost to entering prize?
No. The prize is free to enter.
Will you request hard copies of my book in order to enter?
We only require PDF copies of the book to submit it for the prize. We will request 7 copies of shortlisted titles to pass on to the judges and for marketing purposes.
I am a poet, how can I enter the prize?
The Sarah Maguire Prize is only open to submissions from publishers. If you would like your book to be considered, then you will need to speak to your publisher and encourage them to enter.
My book is published outside of the eligible dates, or due to be published in 2022, can I enter?
The prize is only open to books published between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2021. However, we will open the prize again in 2023 for books published in 2022 and 2023. Please check back for further details.
My book is not published in the UK, is it eligible?
Books do not have to be published in the UK, however the publisher must hold the rights for sale of the book in the UK, as well as having obtained all necessary permissions to publish the book in the English language.
Is there a cap on the number of entries publishers can submit?
No. Provided books are eligible, then publishers can enter multiple titles.
Can judges call in books that have not been submitted?
Yes. If judges come across a book in their own reading, which they would like to consider for the prize, they may call this in.
My book contains translations of a single poet but taken from a number of their original-language collections. Is it still eligible?
Books submitted can be collected or selected works rather than a translation of a single collection. However, at least 50% of the translations in the book must not have been published before in book form. Therefore if your title brings together translations that have all been published previously in English then it will not be eligible.
My book contains the work of several poets. Is it eligible?
No. Books must be the work of a single poet
My books is a short pamphlet. Is it eligible?
All books must have at least 48 pages and a valid ISBN number.
My books is only available as an e-book. Is it eligible?
No. Books must be published as physical publications.
The original-language poet is originally from outside Europe, but currently resides within Europe. Is a translation of their work still eligible?
The poet can be resident anywhere in the world but must originate from outside Europe and publicly identify their writing as being from beyond Europe. Eligibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to discuss the eligibility, please contact us.
What do we mean by ‘beyond Europe’?
For the purposes of the 2022 prize Europe will be defined as proposed by the United Nations geoscheme, which can be found here.
The translator of the book is from and/or based outside of Europe. Is my book still eligible?
It is the origin of the original-language poet which decides the eligibility of a book. The translator can be from or based anywhere in the world.
My book has multiple translators, or includes translations working from literal/bridge translations. Is my book still eligible?
Yes. Books can be translated by any number of translators, and including collaborative translation processes. In such instances the translators prize fee will be split between all translators.
What is the Poetry Translation Centre’s role in selecting the winner?
The Poetry Translation Centre pick the judges for the Sarah Maguire Prize, and will adjudicate on eligibility based on the published rules. In all cases PTC’s ruling on the eligibility or ineligibility of a book will be final and binding. If you’d like to discuss whether a title is eligible, please contact us.
The judges will independently decide on the shortlist and the winner. The decision of the judges is final and they will not enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions. The judges reserve the right not to award the Prize if, in their opinion, no works entered reach a sufficiently high standard.
Who should I contact if I have a query about the prize?
If you have a query or would like to find out more, please contact us via info@poetrytranslation.org.