The literary world has turned its collective gaze toward one of its most prestigious honors as the shortlists for the Forward Prizes for Poetry have officially been announced. Recognizing 20 exceptional poets across four distinct categories, this year’s selection highlights a dynamic interplay between cutting-edge innovation and established, internationally celebrated voices. Widely regarded as a premier barometer for contemporary verse, the Forward Prizes continue to celebrate the vibrant diversity, emotional depth, and formal experimentation defining modern poetry.
At the helm of this year’s evaluation is a distinguished judging panel chaired by acclaimed novelist and memoirist Sarah Moss. She is joined by an exceptional roster of contemporary poets: Romalyn Ante, WN Herbert, Michael Mullen—who was himself shortlisted for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection last year—and Yomi Ṣode. Together, this panel has sifted through a vast sea of submissions to curate shortlists that bridge the gap between emerging talent and household literary names.
The announcement brings a wave of celebration particularly for The Poetry Society, whose members and affiliated artists occupy a prominent place across the newly unveiled shortlists. From triumphant single poems that have already claimed national titles to deeply resonant full-length collections born out of collaborative artistic projects, the imprint of The Poetry Society on this year’s Forward Prizes is both undeniable and profound. As the literary community looks ahead to the ultimate announcement of the winners, these shortlists serve as a vital snapshot of the health, urgency, and brilliance of contemporary poetry.
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Detailed Chronology: The Journey to the Shortlists and Society Successes
The path to the Forward Prizes shortlists is a rigorous one, involving months of deliberation by the judging panel and years of artistic cultivation by the poets themselves. The journey of several shortlisted artists reveals deep connections to developmental projects that ultimately birthed the award-nominated works we see today.
The Genesis of Nominated Collections: Karen McCarthy Woolf and Sarah Howe
Among the most notable entries in the Best Collection and Best Single Poem categories are works that trace their lineage back to collaborative cultural initiatives hosted by The Poetry Society.
Karen McCarthy Woolf’s shortlisted collection, Unsafe, did not emerge in a vacuum. Her creative trajectory with The Poetry Society began with Unwritten, an ambitious project designed to unearth and showcase previously unheard Caribbean poetic voices from the First World War. This foundational work resulted in a widely praised anthology published by Nine Arches Press. Building upon the complex themes of conflict, trauma, and resolution explored during Unwritten, McCarthy Woolf expanded her artistic scope into a lyrical essay titled [UnSafe/Space], which was published in The Poetry Review. This essay later evolved into a striking animated film created in partnership with Mecha Collective, which recently screened at the Ledbury Poetry Festival, before crystallizing into the powerful poems featured within her nominated collection, Unsafe.
Similarly, Sarah Howe’s shortlisted collection, Foretokens, shares roots in multidisciplinary collaboration. Howe previously teamed up with poet Fred D’Aguiar for a joint initiative involving The Poetry Society, Oxford University, and poetrycinema. The project produced innovative filmpoems for TIDEfest 2021, the free online cultural festival for the TIDE (Travel, Transculturality and Identity in England, 1550–1700) project. Drawing inspiration from a historical artefact, Howe penned the poem “Stoneware dish: Longquan kilns,” which filmmaker Aindri C. adapted into an evocative animation.
Howe’s collaborative streak extended to the National Portrait Gallery, where she and D’Aguiar were commissioned to write a new poem in direct response to Pierre Mignard’s 1682 painting, Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth with an unknown girl. These artistic cross-pollinations have clearly enriched Howe’s poetic vocabulary, culminating in the sophisticated verse found in Foretokens.
Triumphs in the Single Poem Categories
The celebration extends to the single-poem categories, where Fiona Larkin secured a shortlist placement for “Absence has a grammar.” This remarkable piece previously earned Larkin the top prize as the winner of the National Poetry Competition 2024. Joining her in the accolades is Matt Barnard, whose poignant poem “Two Boys at Midnight” was awarded a Highly Commended recognition in the same category. Furthermore, Poetry Society trustee Keith Jarrett has cemented his standing in the Best Collection category with his deeply affecting book, Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Categories, Prizes, and Full Shortlists
The Forward Prizes for Poetry are among the most coveted and influential literary awards in the English-speaking world. Established to honor excellence in poetry and to bring innovative new voices to a wider readership, the prizes encompass substantial financial backing to support the laureates in their future creative endeavors.
Prize Structure and Financial Awards
The 2025/2026 Forward Prizes span four distinct categories, recognizing both printed page and oral performance:
- The Forward Prize for Best Collection: £10,000
- The Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection: £5,000
- The Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Written: £1,000
- The Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Performed: £1,000
The Complete Shortlists
Forward Prize for Best Collection
- Egrets, While War by Tishani Doshi
- Foretokens by Sarah Howe
- Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied by Keith Jarrett
- Unsafe by Karen McCarthy Woolf
- Bycatch by Caroline Smith
Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection
- Sculling by Sophie Dumont
- Even the Trees by Roshni Gallagher
- Ground Provisions by Shauna M Morgan
- The Way the Water Held Me by Catherine Redford
- October by Nur Turkmani
Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Written
- “The Fear” by Tara Bergin
- “Portrait of My Daughter as Postmortem with Needle” by Kizziah Burton
- “Madam Gout” by Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana
- “Absence has a grammar” by Fiona Larkin
- “night guard” by Riwa Saab
Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Performed
- “Frozen Fruit” by Ellie Rose Amit
- “To The One Who Holds the Maxim Gun” by Francis-Xavier Mukiibi
- “Diamonds” by Takunda Muzondiwa
- “When I Give Up My Seat for You” by Maureen Onwunali
- “Dumbarton East” by Biff Smith
Official Statements and Institutional Impact
The announcement of the shortlists has prompted widespread celebration across the UK literary establishment, with institutional leaders emphasizing the vital cultural role played by poetry in contemporary society.
The Poetry Society issued a glowing statement regarding the achievements of its members and associated writers. Highlighting Fiona Larkin’s dual success—moving from her victory at the National Poetry Competition 2024 to a Forward Prize shortlist nomination—the Society underscored the exceptional caliber of talent emerging from its community. Alongside Larkin and Matt Barnard, the Society expressed immense pride in trustee Keith Jarrett, as well as Karen McCarthy Woolf and Sarah Howe, whose long-standing creative partnerships with the organization have continually pushed the boundaries of what poetry can achieve.
Reflecting on the overarching mission of the Forward Prizes, the judging panel—led by Sarah Moss—has emphasized the awards’ commitment to championing poetry at its most innovative. By casting a wide net that captures both debutantes taking their first steps into the literary spotlight and internationally celebrated veterans redefining their craft, the Forward Prizes reaffirm their status as a vital cultural institution. The inclusion of diverse poetic forms, from page-bound lyrical essays to dynamic performed pieces, demonstrates an acute awareness of the medium’s evolving landscape.
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for Contemporary Verse
As the literary world digests the implications of these shortlists, attention naturally shifts toward the autumn ceremony where the ultimate winners will be crowned. The financial support provided by the £10,000 Best Collection prize and accompanying category awards offers crucial backing to poets navigating an increasingly complex arts economy. Beyond the monetary rewards, however, a Forward Prize nomination serves as a powerful career catalyst, guaranteeing increased readership, critical analysis, and academic study.
Furthermore, the prominence of collaborative and multimedia projects—such as Karen McCarthy Woolf’s animated film essays and Sarah Howe’s historical artifact-inspired filmpoems—points toward an exciting future for poetry. As poets increasingly break free from traditional boundaries, integrating their work with visual arts, historical research, and digital platforms, the art form is proving more adaptable and engaging than ever before.
The 2026 Forward Prizes shortlists are not merely a reflection of past achievement; they are a beacon pointing toward the future of literature. They invite readers to explore new perspectives, grapple with historical and personal traumas, and celebrate the sheer beauty of language handled by masters of the craft. For poetry enthusiasts, critics, and casual readers alike, the coming months promise a rich exploration of the twenty shortlisted works, ensuring that contemporary poetry remains a vibrant, pulsing heart of cultural discourse.
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