Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Partner for Poetry Publishing & Writer Development
The Poetry Business has been a cornerstone of literary development since 1986, dedicated to nurturing poets and advancing contemporary poetry. With nearly four decades of experience, we provide comprehensive writer development through workshops, residential courses, and an acclaimed digital programme featuring leading poets. Our publishing arm, Smith|Doorstop, produces books, pamphlets, and The North, a biannual literary magazine renowned for its eclectic mix of poetry and critical content.We host prestigious competitions, including the International Book & Pamphlet Competition and The New Poets Prize, which have launched the careers of numerous celebrated poets. Collaborations with Poets Laureate like Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage underscore our commitment to excellence. Recognised with the Michael Marks Award for Pamphlet Publishers, we combine tradition with innovation, offering accessible online resources and fostering a vibrant community for poets nationwide.
Services
Poetry Publishing
Writer Workshops
Literary Magazine
Writing Competitions
Digital Programmes
Poet Mentorship
Book Subscriptions
Residential Courses
Audio Publications
Young Poet Support
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of expertise in poet development and publishing.
- Our digital workshops feature tutelage from 32 of Britain's top poets.
- We host the prestigious International Book & Pamphlet Competition.
- We provide dedicated support for emerging poets aged 17-24 through The New Poets Prize.
- Collaborations with Poets Laureate including Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage.
Associations and certifications
- Michael Marks Award for Pamphlet Publishers
What people say
Vital and vitalising
Benchmark in writer development
Excellence in pamphlet publishing
Essential reading magazine
Outstanding digital workshops
Services
Poetry Publishing
We publish poetry books, pamphlets, and the biannual literary magazine The North. Our Smith|Doorstop imprint discovers emerging voices while maintaining high editorial standards. Services include manuscript evaluation, editorial guidance, and national distribution through partnerships like Inpress.
Writer Workshops
Our workshops provide skill development for poets at all levels. Led by experienced tutors, sessions include writing exercises, critical feedback, and access to industry professionals. Both in-person and digital formats accommodate diverse participant needs across the UK and internationally.
Literary Competitions
The International Book & Pamphlet Competition and The New Poets Prize identify and promote emerging talent. These annual awards offer publication opportunities, mentorship, and financial support, with past winners achieving significant literary recognition and career advancement.
Digital Programmes
Our digital initiatives feature virtual workshops, audio resources, and interactive content. Developed with leading poets, these programmes provide accessible learning experiences, including writing exercises, Q&A sessions, and critical discussions for writers worldwide.
Poet Mentorship
We offer structured mentorship connecting emerging poets with established professionals. This includes personalised feedback, career guidance, and opportunities to collaborate on publications or events, fostering long-term professional growth within the poetry community.
People
Ann Sansom
Co-Founder
Co-founder of The Poetry Business, Ann has over 35 years' experience in poet development. She edits The North magazine and contributes to shaping the organisation's educational programmes and publishing strategy.
Peter Sansom
Co-Founder
Co-founder Peter Sansom established the writer development model that became the organisation's foundation. He continues to influence editorial direction and mentorship initiatives while maintaining an active role in workshops and publications.
Questions
How do I submit poetry for publication?
Visit our submissions page for current guidelines. We accept manuscripts for Smith|Doorstop pamphlets and The North magazine during specific windows announced annually.
Are workshops available online?
Yes, our 'Apart Together' digital programme offers virtual workshops with leading poets. Sessions include interactive writing exercises and discussion via Zoom.
What is The New Poets Prize?
This annual pamphlet competition supports writers aged 17-24, offering publication, mentorship, and career development opportunities to emerging poets.
Can I access back issues of The North?
Yes, we sell physical and digital back issues through our online shop. Subscriptions also provide access to current and past editions.
Do you offer financial assistance for workshops?
Bursary places cover full workshop costs for underrepresented or financially disadvantaged writers. Gift ticket bundles also support access for those in need.
How are competition winners selected?
Submissions undergo blind judging by industry professionals. Winners receive publication, mentoring, and inclusion in our annual anthology.
Videos
Reviews (2)
Hilary Robinson
May 28, 2017
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Great day, as always, yesterday. Interesting prompts and valuable comments from the rest of the group. I always come away from these writing days with valuable drafts to work on.
Yvonne Green
Dec 02, 2014
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Winning The Book And Pamphlet Competition, getting the phone call, was an unparalleled event. It meant a collection, a book, a place for poems on a shelf, in computers and Kindles latterly. It meant I could write and separate the question of being read from that, share that question with others, stand back from it and its place. At aged 50, my… published poems, dwarfed by rejection slips, the poems I'd felt compelled to recite since I was 5 went somewhere, or some of them did. The growing stacks of rejections, drafts, scraps around me still feel as solitary as my pen, hand, computers, as
