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The William Bonar Poetry Prize 2026

Red Squirrel Press in partnership
with St Mungo’s Mirrorball

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Submissions will open on National Poetry Day, Thursday 1st October 2026. The prize is held annually in memory of William Bonar, a gifted and well-loved poet and the co-founder of St Mungo’s Mirrorball. He published three titles; his second pamphlet and full collection were published by Red Squirrel Press. The prize is funded by Red Squirrel Press.

Elligibility

  • Entrants should be over 18 years old and currently based in Scotland.

  • They should not have had a pamphlet or collection published by a publisher.

  • Entry is free but restricted to one entry each year.

Process

  • Entries should consist of 10-12 poems, must be the original work of the poet and can be in English, Scots and Gaelic.

  • The poems should not be more than five years old.

  • Entries should be accompanied by a short biography, 200 words max. Poems and biography to be included as a single document.

  • Email entries marked ‘The William Bonar Poetry Prize’ to Jim Carruth, Chair, St Mungo's Mirrorball, jimcarruth63@gmail.com.

Judges

Sheila Wakefield (Poet, short story writer, editor, Founder/Editor of Red Squirrel Press 2006, Postbox Press 2015, Postbox - Scotland’s International Short Story Magazine and Tringa Press, 2024)

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Eleanor Livingstone (Poet, reviewer, editor, Director of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival 2010-2021, previously Artistic Director 2005-2010)

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Padraig MacAoidh/Peter Mackay (Academic, writer, poet, broadcaster and Scotland’s National Makar since 2024, writing primarily in Gaelic is Gaelic judge)

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Elizabeth Rimmer (Poet, editor, translator and has five full-length collections published by Red Squirrel Press and an art book, Charms for the Healing of Grief, in collaboration with Hugh Bryden, by Roncadora Press, 2023)​​​

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Lynnda Wardle (Poet, writer, memoir, creative non-fiction, essays, reviews and William Bonar’s partner. ‘still a thinning’, poems by Lynnda and Billy will be published in February 2027)

Prize

The winner will receive the following:

  • Publication of a pamphlet by Red Squirrel Press.

  • Editorial support in developing their pamphlet from Gerry Cambridge, The Dark Horse founder, poet, editor, essayist. Gerry is Red Squirrel Press' in-house typesetter and designer.

  • 30 free copies and 50% discount on unlimited further copies.

  • Launched at St Mungo’s Mirrorball as part of their annual National Poetry Day
    event.

Closing Date

The Closing date is 31st December 2026 and the winner will be announced on the 17th February 2027, on what would have been William’s birthday. 

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