Poetry in Motion Community 2025/26 anthology ‘Endure’ – Submissions Now Open – closing 27 Feb 2026

Poetry in Motion Community 2025/26 – Submissions now open

The 2025/26 Poetry in Motion Community anthology will be titled Endure.

These are difficult times and our title only seeks to reflect that. The title may evoke duration, strain and patience. It allows not only survival, but what it costs to persist; what is borne, sustained, resisted or quietly maintained over time. Your reflections, whether similar or different, are welcomed.

So, Endure marks only a poetic moment, without prescribing how a poet might approach it.

“Poetry in Motion Community continues to create space where new and emerging voices can be heard alongside more established writers, without hierarchy or prescription. As we open submissions for the Endure anthology and the twelfth Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing, the programme remains committed to amplifying the legacy of our late, great Nobel laureate by supporting poetry that is grounded, attentive and alive. We are delighted to support our community of poets and our ongoing partnership with our principal funder, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. ”
— Conor Shields, Chief Executive, Community Arts Partnership

Poetry in Motion Community invites submissions from writers aged 18 and over who are resident in Northern Ireland, including those at early or emerging stages of their practice.

Submissions to the anthology are also considered for the Seamus Heaney Awards for New Writing, which recognise outstanding new work by local poetic voices.

“I do think this project is particularly important as it … encourages us as writers to put ourselves and our work out there.”
— Kerry Newcombe, Seamus Heaney Award long-listed poet, 2025

“My experience is of a safe space for experiment, free of the pressure of orthodoxy, where poems and their writers can and will be taken on their own terms.”
— Sue Steging, Seamus Heaney Award winner 2023 and long-listed 2025 and ex-panel member

“Some poems feel visceral or natural, others comforting or contemplative in their scope. There is an astounding array of serious talent on display.”
— Alan Magee, Seamus Heaney Award long-listed poet, 2025

For this year, the submissions process follows much the same format as recent PIMC anthologies. Details of poetry masterclasses and support will be announced shortly.

Submission brief

Poets may submit up to three poems. Poems may be on any subject and in any style. Submissions must be previously unpublished and the poet’s own original work.

Submissions are open to writers aged 18 and over who are resident in Northern Ireland.

Submissions must be abide by the updated submissions criteria posted here

For queries or clarification, please contact Steven Tunley steven@capartscentre.com at Community Arts Partnership.