The History of Janet Coats

Janet Coats was part of the renowned thread-making family, J&P Coats. The eldest daughter of Thomas Coats and Margaret Glen, her father was one of four brothers who inherited a Paisley-based thread manufacturing company that was renamed J&P Coats in 1830. She was also the wife of publisher, James Tait Black and Janet’s own literary aspirations resulted in two volumes of nature-inspired poetry, one of which was published as Verses and Rhymes, in 1899.

Inspired by Janet Coats and her legacy, we host an annual poetry prize for adults and young people. Shortlisted writers have their work published in our Janet Coats Memorial prize pamphlet and receive a reading at the annual prize giving event during the Festival itself. Winners of the prize are announced by the judging panel at the Award Ceremony and the winners receive a cash prize.

JANET COATS MEMORIAL PRIZE 2024

This year’s Paisley Book Festival’s theme is “Imagine Something Different” and we’re seeking short poems that breathe life into this theme, capturing the very spirit of innovation, daring to explore realms uncharted. We invite poets to infuse their verses with the essence of boundless possibilities, transcending the ordinary to embrace the extraordinary. Whether drawing inspiration from the tapestry of diverse cultures, envisioning utopian landscapes, or challenging societal norms, we encourage submissions that embody the spirit of courageous imagination. 

Please email your poems of up to 40 lines (either in a Word Document, MP3 or MP4 file) to jcmp@renfrewshire.gov.uk with Janet Coats Memorial Prize in the subject line. You can enter one poem only and the closing date for entries is midnight on 25th February 2024. Entrants to the adult prize should be 18 or over. 

Our judging panel has yet to be confirmed. Shortlisted entrants will be expected to attend the Janet Coats Memorial Prize Awards Ceremony on Friday 26th April at 6.30pm as part of the Paisley Book Festival. Writers will be informed if they have made the shortlist by April 2024, and the winners will be announced on the night of the award ceremony. All short-listed entries will be included in a souvenir pamphlet celebrating the Janet Coats Memorial Prize in 2024 and the winner will receive a cash prize of £850.

Janet Coats was part of the renowned thread-making family, J&P Coats. The eldest daughter of Thomas Coats and Margaret Glen, her father was one of four brothers who inherited a Paisley-based thread manufacturing company that was renamed J&P Coats in 1830. She was also the wife of publisher James Tait Black and Janet’s own literary aspirations resulted in two volumes of nature-inspired poetry, one of which was published as Verses and Rhymes, in 1899. 

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 25th February 2024.

Submitting your work: email your poems of up to 40 lines to jcmp@renfrewshire.gov.uk in a Word Document, MP3 or MP4 file with ‘Janet Coats Memorial Prize’ in the subject line.  Writers retain full copyright of their work. All poems should be submitted blindly with no names or contact information on the files. The poet’s name and contact details should be included clearly in the body of the email.  

Entries can be submitted by post to: JCMP, Paisley Central Library, 22 High St, Paisley PA1 2BS

Who can enter? If you are over 18 and were born in Scotland or live or have lived in Scotland, you can enter the Janet Coats Memorial Prize. 

PLEASE NOTE: there is a separate Janet Coats Memorial Prize for under 18s open to children and young people who attend school in Renfrewshire. Details will be circulated locally via school librarians and the Libraries Team. 

Prize: £850

 Terms and Conditions

  1. Entries received after midnight on 25th February 2024 will not be eligible for the Janet Coats Memorial Prize.
  2. Writers may submit only one poem whether written, MP3 or MP4 file.
  3. All poems should be submitted blindly with no names or contact information on the file formats. The poet’s name should be included in the email. 
  4. Writers retain full copyright of their work and we will only publish work with the permission of each winning shortlisted writer.
  5. The competition is open to residents of Scotland over 18, those who were born in Scotland or have previously lived in Scotland 
  6. There is no entry fee, no purchase necessary and you do not need to attend any of the Paisley Book Festival events to enter this competition.
  7. Written poems submitted in Arial font at 12 point size, with single-spaced poem lines and double-spaced Stanza spacing, and must not be previously published. 

JANET COATS MEMORIAL PRIZE – YOUNG PEOPLE 2024

The theme of this year’s Paisley Book Festival is Imagine Something Different.

  • What does this theme make you think of?  
  • When you think of the future, what do you imagine?
  • Imagine you could step into the shoes of someone else. What new perspectives or experiences do you think you would gain?
  • If you could create your own world, what kind of place would it be? What opportunities would exist that are different from your own reality?

We would love to read, hear, and see your poetry on this theme.  

Please email your poems of up to 40 lines to sls@renfrewshire.gov.uk with Janet Coats Memorial Prize in the subject line and include your name, school and age in the email with the poem as an attachment. You can also hand in your poem to your school librarian. You can enter one poem only and the closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 25th February. Entrants to the young person’s prize should be secondary pupils living in or attending school in Renfrewshire.  

Our judging panel has yet to be confirmed. Shortlisted entrants will be expected to attend the Janet Coats Memorial Prize Awards Ceremony on Friday 26th April at 6.30pm as part of the Paisley Book Festival. Writers will be informed if they have made the shortlist by April 2024, and the winners will be announced on the night of the award ceremony. All short-listed entries will be included in a souvenir pamphlet celebrating the Janet Coats Memorial Prize in 2024 and the winner will receive a cash prize of £50 and £200 toward their school library. 

Janet Coats was part of the renowned thread-making family, J&P Coats. The eldest daughter of Thomas Coats and Margaret Glen, her father was one of four brothers who inherited a Paisley-based thread manufacturing company that was renamed J&P Coats in 1830. She was also the wife of publisher James Tait Black and Janet’s own literary aspirations resulted in two volumes of nature-inspired poetry, one of which was published as Verses and Rhymes, in 1899. 

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 25th February 2024.

Submitting your work: Email your poems of up to 40 lines to sls@renfrewshire.gov.uk as a document, photo, MP3 or MP4 file with ‘Janet Coats Memorial Prize’ in the subject line.  Writers retain full copyright of their work. All poems should be submitted blindly with no names or contact information on the files. The poet’s name, age and school (or contact details if home schooled) should be included clearly in the body of the email.  Poems can also be submitted to the school librarian. If handwritten, poem should be legible.  

Who can enter? Any secondary school pupil living in, or attending school, in Renfrewshire.

Prize: £50 for the winning poet plus a £200 donation to their school library supported by the Peter Coats Charitable Trust.

The Janet Coats Memorial Prize is supported by University of Edinburgh and the Peter Coats Charitable Trust. 

 Terms and Conditions

  1. Entries received after midnight on 25.02.24 will not be eligible for the Janet Coats Memorial Prize.
  2. Writers may submit only one poem whether written, MP3 or MP4 file.
  3. All poems should be submitted blindly with no names or contact information on the file formats. The poet’s name should be included in the email. 
  4. Writers retain full copyright of their work, and we will only publish work with the permission of each winning shortlisted writer.
  5. There is no entry fee, no purchase necessary and you do not need to attend any of the Paisley Book Festival events to enter this competition.
  6. Poem should not have been published previously.
  7. If poet is learning English as an additional language, entries may be submitted fully / partially in home language, with translation.