The Maya Poetry Book Awards have had a great year, with many more books entered than the previous year. Judge Dave Lewis has had a tough job, but has just announced the top 25 poetry collections on his longlist.
Recognised for championing outstanding poetry across the globe, with entries from over twenty countries, the Maya Poetry Book Awards are a truly international competition, accessible to all through the English language. The Awards continue to champion outstanding poetry from self-published authors and independent presses, offering greater recognition to writers outside the traditional publishing industry. The 2026 competition reflects this ongoing commitment, recognising books that highlight accessibility, diversity, and the evolving landscape of modern poetry.
“Great poetry takes risks, tells truths, and finds new ways to speak to the world,” said Dave Lewis, judge for the 2026 International Poetry Book Awards. “This is our seventh year, and it has also been our most successful yet, both in the number of entries and the extraordinary multiplicity of subjects.
“Whittling the field down to just twenty-five books proved almost impossible, and there were easily another ten or more books that could have been included. There were also some beautifully crafted volumes and inspiring designs.
“Along the way I’ve had to part with books about Covid, immortal Gorgons, a lifetime of hard labour, and the heartbreaking loss of a son. There was so much grief, so much love of nature, and so much originality. We received books exploring pronouns, QR codes and Christianity, rhyming satires on Trump, a futuristic Digi City, anti-fascist haiku, and even the ancient craft of London’s bell-makers.
“To everyone who entered, thank you. Your books made the judging both a pleasure and a challenge.”
The Longlist (in alphabetical order)
Arthur Allen – Some things I do not know
Beth Clapton – Still Point
Jo Davis – Fit for Work
Tim Dowley & Mig Holder – Ghosts behind the Door
Marc D. Goldfinger – Relationships
Neil Gower – Meet me in Palermo
Paul Hawkes – Poems for Peace and the Planet
Dominique Hecq – Otopos
Christopher James – The Ice Sonnets
David Grant Lloyd – Still Alive in Dubbo
Mike McNamara – Loose Cannon
Rebecca Meredith – Beautifully Odd
Deborah Miller – Echoes of Silence
Rosie Parslow – i love you but i don’t always like you
Estelle Phillips – Into My Arms
Leah Pow – Too much, Not enough, Just right
Anthony Powers – Together on Severn
Emma Purshouse – Unsung
Martin Rieser – Self Portrait with Animals
Paris Rosemont – >>glitch<<
John Rowe – ONE: The art of the one-word poem
David Terelinck – Small Epiphanies
Yvette Thomas – Ten Thousand Nights
Patricia Townsend – Bridging Time 1944-2024
Sarah Wetzel – Elegies of Herons
The Maya Poetry Book Awards are open to poets from around the world and welcome submissions that push boundaries and reflect the rich diversity of contemporary poetry.
The Awards will announce our shortlist on 1st September 2026.
We will also be awarding a separate Children’s Poetry Book Prize this year; the winner will be announced on 1st October 2026, when we reveal our top 3 prize-winning books.
Websites: www.poetrybookawards.co.uk | www.davelewis.co.uk