South Yorkshire teens win national ‘New Poets Prize’ and will publish their collections

Lauren Hollingsworth-Smith and Georgie Woodhead were two of the four chosen winners of the competition, which is run each year by The Poetry Business.

The talented pair are both members of Hive South Yorkshire - a writing hub for talented youngsters - and their prize will see each of them publish their early collections.

Lauren, aged 18, of Rotherham, said: “I’m overwhelmed to win the New Poets Prize.

“Hive has given me so many opportunities and helped me to realise my dream of being a published writer.”

Lauren is currently waiting to see if she gets the grades needed to accept her place at Oxford University in September, where she hopes to study English and French.

She previously won prizes in the international Foyle Young Poet of the Year Award, Young Northern Writers Award, and Ilkley Young Writers Competition.

Of her collection, ‘Ugly Bird,’ judge Luke Kennard, said: “Hollingsworth–Smith’s poems are immediately and joyfully readable even at their darkest, and Ugly Bird is full of masterful juxtapositions, emotional swerves and perfect details.”

Georgie, aged 17, of Crookes, bagged her place in the line-up with her collection, ‘Takeaway.’

She was also a winner of the Foyle Young Poet of the Year in 2018, and won the BBC Young Writer of The Year in 2019.

She’s performed widely at open mics and live events, and has been a guest on Ian McMillan’s The Verb on Radio 3.

Of her work, judge Luke Kennard said: “Takeaway is a vivid and powerful collection; expansive but precise lines and stanzas give Woodhead the space to explore the lives and scenes she depicts.

“So many of the images here are breathtaking and will really stay with me.”

Georgie said: “I’m thrilled to be a winner, and so thankful to Hive for the incredible support, advice, and mentorship to get to this stage.”

Poet Vicky Morris, who runs Hive, said: “I’m so thrilled for them both; so young and so much talent.

“They’re both have their own distinct voices and it’s been a joy watching them grow into them.”

If you’re a young person aged 14 to 30 in South Yorkshire who likes writing, get in touch with Hive to find out what’s happening for young writers in your area: www.hivesouthyorkshire.com