POETS who want to take part in the PENfro Book Festival Open Poetry Competition need to get their entries in soon - the deadline is Friday, July 19.

Top prize is £100; second, £50; third, £25. The subject is open, but there is a maximum length of 40 lines for each poem entered. Entry fee is £3 a poem. Anyone aged 16 or over can enter.

Guest judge is award winning poet Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch. She has published three collections of poems, the latest of which, Banjo, is shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year Award 2013. Samantha, who lives in New Quay, was shortlisted for the same award in 2009 and 2011. Last year she was second prizewinner in the National Poetry Competition.

Entry forms for the PENfro Open Poetry Competition can be downloaded from the website, where full details and rules can also be found: http://penfrobookfestival.org.uk/open-poetry-competition-2013">http://penfrobookfestival.org.uk/open-poetry-competition-2013

PENfro Festival chairman Derek Webb said: "There is a vibrant and growing poetry scene in west Wales and new talent is thriving. This contest enables us to showcase some of that excellent work and to encourage new writers. Entries are coming in steadily. If you want to be considered, ensure you make the deadline."

Shortlisted writers will be invited to the Cellar Bards and Friends festival event in the Oak Hall at Rhosygilwen on the evening of Friday, September 13, where prizes will be presented by Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch.

This year's PENfro Book Festival will run from Thursday to Sunday, September 12 to 15. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, are the headline guests on the Saturday evening. The festival will include the popular Sunday Book Fair, a varied range of workshops for writers; and guest readings, talks and discussions with leading authors; as well as lively entertainment with a literary theme on three evenings.

• PENfro Book Festival has received funding from PLANED through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 – 2013, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development.