T S Eliot Prize 2009

The Poetry Book Society awards the annual T S Eliot Prize for Poetry, now in its seventeenth year. The Prize, which has been described as the ‘world’s top poetry award’ (Louise Jury, The Irish Independent) is awarded annually to the writer of the best new collection of poetry published in the UK or Ireland. It is unique as it is always judged by a panel of established poets and it has been described by Andrew Motion as ‘the Prize most poets want to win’.

The judges for the 2009 T S Eliot Prize will be Simon Armitage (Chair)), Colette Bryce and Penelope Shuttle.

The judges will meet in late October to decide on the ten-book shortlist, which will be announced on 22 October.

The T S Eliot Shortlist Readings will take place on Sunday 17 January 2010 in the Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Book now by clicking here, or calling 0871 663 2500.

The winner of the 2009 Prize will be announced at the award ceremony on Monday 18 January 2010, when Mrs Valerie Eliot will present the winner with a cheque for £15,000 and the shortlisted poets will each receive £1,000.