We are very pleased to announce the Iris annual competition, which this year comes to you in association with Routledge Classics.
The forthcoming brand new Iris annual magazine is all about the passion, beauty, and resonance of Roman love poetry. Roman love poetry was full of themes that recurred in the writings of many of the poets, and one of these themes was that of the “locked-out lover” (or in Latin, the exclusus amator). Poems on this theme described a rather pathetic, often drunken lover, locked outside of his mistress's door, begging to be let in. It's an image that can easily be transferred to a different time and place, and can be tragic, humorous, or both! Our 2012-3 competition is all about interpreting this theme.
You can either write a poem or a short piece of prose. The maximum length for all entries is 30 lines, and entries should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “IRIS COMPETITION”, and your name and age.
We are delighted to announce that Madeline Miller, author of the bestselling novel The Song of Achilles will be judging the competition.
The winning entrant will receive £100 to spend on books from Routledge's Classics list. S/he will also receive a signed copy of a Classical book, and be featured in the next edition of the Iris annual and on our website Iris online.
Runners up will receive a signed copy of a Classical book and also feature in the next edition of the Iris annual and on our website.
If you're looking for inspiration and information about Roman love poetry, why not order the forthcoming edition of the Iris annual (out in October) here.
The deadline for entries is, fittingly, February 14th, 2013.
Good luck to everyone!
