Her collection, Birds of Passage, addressed themes of ‘passing through’, comparable to the passage of migratory birds.

Her work will now be published and will be available to purchase online. Speaking about the award, Liz said: “I was on holiday when the email came through.

“I was in shock, so had to sit down, with a strong brew before I could form words. I can now say, without hesitation that I am delighted to have been selected for this year’s award!” 

Competition judge Dr Kerry Featherstone, a lecturer in creative writing at Loughborough, said: “Her reading at the launch was fascinating as she gave the background to some of her work, and then read with real feeling and humour.

“As ever, this year we are looking for a series of poems that really makes sense together; whether it’s poems in a similar style, or about a particular theme or location, we want to see submissions that feel like a collection, not just a group of poems.

“This year’s guest judge is Daniel Sluman. Daniel is a poet and disability rights activist whose collection Single Window was nominated for the T. S. Eliot prize in 2021.”

Students, staff and members of the public can now submit entries for the 2024 Overton Poetry Prize.

The prize is awarded each year to a sequence of poems of up to 300 lines in length on any subjects. The winning entry will be published in chapbook form and will be available to purchase online.

This international poetry competition was set up in memory of Professor Bill Overton (1946-2012), who worked in the English department at Loughborough.

Much of Bill’s teaching and writing was on poetry, the school hope that this poetry prize will contribute to the creative life of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and the experience of students.

The competition closes on 31st January 2024.

There is a cost of £12.50 per entry. Proceeds from the competition entry fees will go towards funding an early-career poet in residence at the University.

Visit Overton Poetry Prize for more information including entry requirements and terms and conditions.

ENDS