By Isle of Wight Observer
The fifth Isle of Wight Book Awards returns with a poignant new addition – a dedicated poetry category created in memory of the awards’ first-ever winner, Marion Carmichael, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The newly-introduced Marion Carmichael Award for Poetry will celebrate poetic voices connected to the Island, recognising both emerging and established writers while paying tribute to a valued member of the Island’s literary community.
Founded by author Hunter Davies, the awards have grown into an annual celebration of local writing. Their aim remains simple yet powerful, to encourage people on the Island to write, publish, and share their stories while shining a spotlight on the Island’s beauty, heritage, and creative spirit.
Open to books written on or about the Island, or by authors who live here for at least six months of the year, the awards welcome both first-time and experienced writers. Self-published and traditionally published works are equally eligible, provided they were first published in 2025 and submitted in physical format. Categories are: Fiction; Non-Fiction; Children’s, and Poetry.
This year’s judging panel includes for children – the award-winning author of the Five Realms series, Kieran Larwood; fiction – Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, Heidi Perks; and Angela Buckley, a crime historian and author specialising in Victorian and Edwardian true crime. The poetry judge has yet to be announced.
The top three entries in each category will receive certificates, with category winners awarded £200 and overall winner an additional £500. Books can be entered from May 11 to June 20, and the awards lunch will take place on October 6 at the Island Sailing Club, Cowes.
Entry forms must be completed and include three copies of the book dropped off to one of four collection points across the Island by June 20. The copies will be offered for sale at the awards event, with proceeds going to this year’s chosen charity.
Drop-off locations are Monkton Arts (Ryde), Medina Bookshop (Cowes), Mrs Middleton’s Bookshop (Freshwater), and Babushka Books (Shanklin).
Details and entry forms can be found via iw.observer/iw-book-awards.