The Kendal Stanza

24/07/2026

Very happy that The Wordarium has chosen to share our survey…

*Future event* alert…

Have you completed the survey yet?

This form is designed for anyone who is interested to know more about a poetry event in Kendal which will take place in 2026 / 2027. The key thing is that this is a form designed to capture interest, ideas and skills. It will be used to further shape an event which is already in the planning stages....

12/07/2026

We love this… Every poet starts somewhere… Mean teacher…

25/06/2026

Worth a look for poets and writers with things ready to submit!

Wells writers, rappers and rhymers, this is your nudge before that brilliant draft goes back to sulking in the notes app.

The Festival of Literature competition deadlines are coming up, with £5,000 in prizes and local awards on offer. Poetry, short stories, children’s books and young poets all get a look-in.

Full story:
https://wells.nub.news/news/local-news/sp8563-wells-writers-urged-to-enter-festival-prizes-300015

25/06/2026

1 WEEK TO GO!

What a great opportunity for anyone with a pamphlet ready to go!

Have you sent yours in yet?

Just 1 WEEK LEFT to get your pamphlet submitted to the Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2026! What are you waiting for?

Deadline: 1st July 2026

This year's judge is Marjorie Lotfi

THE PRIZES

First Prize: publication of the winning pamphlet + launch reading

Poets on the shortlist of 10 will each get a paragraph of feedback from the judge

The winner and 3 others will have a poem published in Magma

All shortlisted poets will have a poem published on our website

Marjorie Lotfi will read 50 entries selected by Magma editors.

Marjorie Lotfi is the author of The Wrong Person to Ask (Bloodaxe Books, 2023), which won the 2024 Forward Prize for Best First Collection and a James Berry Award. It was also shortlisted for the Saltire Prize for Best Book of Poetry and was a Poetry Book Society Special Commendation. Marjorie’s poetry has been published widely, including on London’s Poems on the Underground.

She says:
"I’m looking for crafted poems that grab my attention and won’t let go. Usually, these are poems I return to because they surprise me, saying something new or something I thought I already knew. Because this is a pamphlet prize, I’m also looking for poems that speak to one another – the impact of any single poem will be broadened by the overall body of work."

For more information and to submit your poems just head to our website - https://magmapoetry.com/open-poetry-pamphlet-competition.../

25/06/2026

A lovely competition for anyone eager and has a connection to Shipley and that area…

They have a poetry night as part of their community festival there.

https://saltairefestival.co.uk/events/poetry-night/

We know poems don’t always arrive on schedule, so we’re giving you a little more time - the submission deadline has been extended to 29 June.

We can’t wait to read your poems and celebrate them as part of this year’s festival

More info: https://saltairefestival.co.uk/events/poetry-night/

📧 [email protected]

25/06/2026

We are EXCITED!

has had its hiatus, it’s time to pause and think, and we are back!

Planning is afoot for this really exciting Kendal event, but we need your help!

Please please:
1. Comment on this post for reach!
2. Complete our survey - most is multiple choice or tick box.
3. Reach out via message to say more if you would like with regards to ideas etc
4. Share this post with the survey link far and wide.
5. See us in Kendal - keep an eye here for the next news installment on the BIG Kendal event

Thanks so much! Leila

We are also on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ4bpMru5Eq/?igsh=aTIzeXY3dGx6ZGJk

Access the form via Google forms here.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2uaVKk6sLz0n29ZQFkaScEx-kLZ2GDqEVj2NZIZ9YGpZg0g/viewform

It is an anonymous survey unless you choose to leave an email address for future updates.

If not see The Kendal Stanza on Facebook or Instagram or message me direct - Leila

This form is designed for anyone who is interested to know more about a poetry event in Kendal which will take place in 2026 / 2027. The key thing is that this is a form designed to capture interest, ideas and skills. It will be used to further shape an event which is already in the planning stages....

25/06/2026

We missed it!

Was anyone writing yesterday in the heat?!

We were at a poetry open mic in the evening in Barrow - more soon!!!

Today is ! ✍️

For 2026, award-winning author and First Story Ambassador Patrice Lawrence invites everyone to and use an existing book cover to inspire a new piece of writing.

Grab your pen or your laptop and get involved! Everyone is welcome 🫶

Check out the prompts and activity sheet here: https://firststory.org.uk/writeday/

21/06/2026

Wow what a lovely lovely LONDON based FREE offering from these people! Thanks to them for sharing with us on Instagram!

Grab some book loving pals London women and head on down!

Your ticket includes: Access to all brand & author stalls 

21/06/2026

*** WE ARE BACK - IN ACTION ***

📖 🎤 ✍️ WELCOME FOLLOWERS - OLD AND NEW! ✍️ 🎤 📖

21/06/2026

This is an interesting post on photography and permissions at The Wordarium in Lancaster…

What do you think?

It has certainly sparked some thinking in us whilst we work out our next moves and continued events etc for 2026 onwards!

PHOTOS FROM WDM EVENTS As a performer or audience member, please let us know either on the night, before or afterwards if you’d rather NOT be included in the photo montages we put together for each Wordarium event and share on social media.

No problem whatsoever (and no questions asked) if you’d rather your likeness wasn’t shared online, or anywhere else for that matter. Any questions or comments about this, don’t hesitate to contact us via [email protected]

Thank you!