Why Not Burnley? and A Moment to Yourself
Deadline: 9am, Monday 5th January 2026
Free to enter
We’re inviting writers of all ages from Burnley and the surrounding areas to take part in a new creative project celebrating local voices, everyday creativity, and the upcoming journey toward Burnley’s 2027 Year of Culture.
Your work will be considered for display at Rhode Island as part of a special exhibition throughout February, with a relaxed launch event for contributors.
Whether you’re an experienced writer or trying poetry for the very first time, we would love to hear your voice.
This project has two parts and you can submit to either or both:
1. Respond to the “Why Not Burnley?” poem
We’re asking local writers to create their own response to the Why Not Burnley? poem, which launched the 2027 Year of Culture campaign. We want you to take the first line from each stanza in the poem below (in bold), and create your own version of the poem, which should be a poetic reflection on Burnley and celebrate all it has to offer.
Why not Burnley? Why not here?
A valley of stories, proud and clear.
This isn’t art for its own sake,
But how we build, invest, remake.
A place where deeper roots can grow –
We’ll learn, we’ll reach, we’ll rise, we’ll show.
A borough of makers, creators, friends,
Seeing our home through a different lens.
We’ll shape our story, shift the view,
Of our outdoor town of green and blue.
A networked place with skills to share,
With culture woven everywhere
Through food, through sport, through light and sound,
New partnerships and pride are found.
From tech to trades, from craft to stage,
We’re writing Burnley’s modern age.
So if not now, then truly – when?
If not by us, then who? So then –
Step in, speak up, bring others through –
The future’s ours – it starts with you.
This is our call, our stand, our plan:
To dream, to do – because we can.
2. Write a short poem or piece of creative writing: “A Moment to Yourself”
A gentle poem, or short piece of creative writing, capturing a moment of pause, rest or reflection, that someone can enjoy while reading their coffee.
Guidelines:
- No more than 10 lines
- Think small, quiet, human moments
How to Submit
Please email your work to [email protected]
- Attach your poem(s) as a Word document (.doc or .docx)
- Use the subject line:
Rhode Island x Burnley Words Festival Submission
This subject line is essential — it helps us track entries. - Include your name, age (if under 18), and contact details inside the document itself
- If the writer is under 18, the submission should be sent by, or include contact details for, a parent/carer/teacher/guardian
You may submit to one or both categories.
There is no fee to enter.
We aim to display as much work as possible in the final café exhibition. To ensure a consistent look across the exhibition, all submitted poems will be printed and displayed by the festival team in a standard format.
Opening Night: Thursday 29th January Details TBC
All writers who submit work will be invited to a relaxed celebration evening at Rhode Island in January.
It will be a chance to:
- see your poem on display
- bring friends and family
- meet other local writers
- Perform your piece if you wish (spots may be limited)
The exact date and time will be confirmed early in the new year.
After You Submit
We will contact all writers in early January to confirm which pieces will be displayed and to share full details about the opening night.
Eligibility & Content Guidance
- Open to all ages
- Open to writers in Burnley and the surrounding areas
- Submissions must be suitable for display in a public café, where audiences of all ages and backgrounds will read them
- Please avoid swearing or sexual content
- We reserve the right not to include any work we deem unsuitable for the public exhibition
- All work submitted should be your own, and not previously published
- No AI-generated content or plagiarised pieces will be considered.
- We may also use your work online and in social media in order to publicise the exhibition but we will always seek permission from you first, and your work will always be credited to you
Accessibility
If you need to submit your work in another format (e.g. audio or video) for access reasons, please contact Stephie in advance via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01254 674777
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