We’re delighted to launch the EAST MIDLANDS PAMPHLET PRIZE, open for submissions in June 2026. This will be followed by our regular FULL COLLECTIONS submissions call in July. Read on for a summary of each, and scroll down for details, guidelines and frequently asked questions.
East Midlands Pamphlet Prize
This new prize offers publication to East Midlands poets, with pamphlet imprint Little Betty. Run in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival, and supported by Arts Council England.
Submissions open 1st – 30th June 2026
Open to anyone living, working or studying in the East Midlands
Winners will be selected by Little Betty editors, Vanessa Kisuule and Anja Konig
Resulting pamphlets will launch at Nottingham Poetry Festival 2027
Send a sample of your work to li*********@***********ss.com following the guidelines below 👇
Full Collection Submissions
Welcoming submissions of full-length poetry collections from writers anywhere in the world, for publication with Bad Betty in 2028.
Submissions open 1st – 31st July 2026
Authors will be selected by Bad Betty directors, Amy Acre and Jake Wild Hall
Resulting collections will be published in 2028
Send a sample of your work to su*********@***********ss.com following the guidelines below 👇
Submission guidelines
Please only submit to ONE of the opportunities above, selecting the correct email address.
Please send a maximum of 10 pages of poetry (we’ll ask for the full manuscripts of shortlisted submissions).
PDF or Word doc / docx files are preferred. If you need to use a different format then do, and we’ll let you know if we’re unable to open it.
We don’t have specific font or spacing requirements, but please keep it clear and readable, with no more than one poem to a page.
Keep your email brief – no need to explain your work as we’ll expect it to speak for itself. Feel free to include a short bio.
Work sent outside of the submission dates will not be read.
We’re not currently looking for single poems for anthologies, so please only send work that’s part of a complete manuscript.
FAQs
What are you looking for?
To get an idea of the kind of work we like, we recommend reading some of our books—which you can purchase from our online shop, find or order into your local bookseller, or read for free at the National Poetry Library—or coming to one of our events.
What do you mean by ‘pamphlet’?
A pamphlet is typically up to around 36 pages in book form (25-30 pages of A4), and is often (but not always) a poet’s first solo publication—a chance to share their voice with the world and grow their audience before diving in with a full collection. Established poets also use the pamphlet form, often to experiment with a theme, or to present a concentrated, cohesive project with a quick(ish) turnaround. It’s fine if your manuscript is currently longer than this, as long as you’re happy for it to be cut down during editing. If your book is over 50 pages, consider submitting it to our full collections submissions instead.
What do you mean by ‘full collection’?
A collection is typically 60-100+ pages in book form (around 50+ pages of A4) and usually follows several years of writing, a history of publication in magazines, journals, anthologies or pamphlets / chapbooks, and a history of presenting your work at live readings and events.
What do you mean by ‘East Midlands poets’?
By ‘East Midlands poets’ we mean anyone writing poetry (whether or not you’ve been published before) who currently lives, works or studies in the East Midlands. The East Midlands region covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.
Does my writing have to be about the East Midlands?
No, it can be on any subject or theme.
I’m submitting a full collection. Do I have to be an East Midlands poet?
No, our full collections submissions call is open to anyone.
When will I get a response?
You should get an automated response confirming that we’ve received your submission (check your junk folder if you don’t see this). We aim to get back to everyone with a decision (whether it’s yes or no) within three months of the deadline. Please avoid checking in with us in the weeks after submitting, as we’ll be busy reading your work, but do drop us a line to let us know if you need to withdraw your manuscript.
What happens if my book is selected for publication?
You’ll receive a contract and some information on the process ahead, and we’ll agree together on a timeline for working on and publishing your book. You’ll work with an editor to hone and develop your manuscript into its final form. We’ll typeset and design your book, sharing proofs for your approval. On publication, you’ll receive 15 complimentary copies, a discount on further copies, and a small advance of royalties. We’ll work hard to promote the success of your book, distribute it to readers and booksellers, submit it to awards and reviewers, market it via social and paid media, and (where funding allows) offer you paid performance opportunities around the time of your publication, as part of the Bad Betty live tour.
Is there a cash prize?
No. The two winners of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize will receive publication with Little Betty in 2027, including all the usual benefits that we offer our pamphlet authors, plus a launch event at Nottingham Poetry Festival 2027.
Can I submit work that’s been previously published (including self-publication)?
It’s fine if some of the poems in your manuscript have been published elsewhere, but the manuscript as a whole should be a new body of work, with no more than a third of it previously collated in a single book.
Good luck! We look forward to reading your work.