FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Everything you need to know about competing in Mind Over Slammer 2026/27.
Everything you need to know about competing in Mind Over Slammer 2026/27.
Is there an age limit to enter a slam?
Yes. All slam entrants must be aged 18 or over
How do I enter a slam?
Visit our Slam Applications page, choose the regional heat you would like to enter and complete the relevant application form.
All entrants must be 18 or over.
Application deadlines and details of when successful applicants will be informed are provided on each application form.
When will applications open for each slam?
Applications for all slams are open now! Visit our Slam application page.
How many poets will be in each slam heat?
Each regional slam heat will have 12 competitors.
How are the slam heats structured?
Each heat is divided into three rounds.
Round 1: All 12 poets perform.
Round 2: The 6 highest-scoring poets from Round 1 perform again.
Round 3: The 3 highest-scoring poets from Round 2 perform in the final round.
A winner will be announced, and that poet, alongside the first runner-up, will qualify for the Mind Over Slammer National Grand Finale in London.
All 12 poets who qualify for the National Grand Finale will have their travel and accommodation expenses covered.
How long do I have to perform?
Every poet has a maximum of 3 minutes at the mic to perform a single poem of their own creation.
What happens if I go over the time limit?
Poets are given a 10-second grace period. After this, 0.5 points will be deducted for every additional 10 seconds over the time limit.
What are the National Grand Finale prizes?
🥇 1st place — £1,500
🥈 2nd place — £1,000
🥉 3rd place — £500
What are the rules on props?
Poets may not use props, costumes, pre-recorded music or musical instruments while performing. It’s just the poet and their poem on stage.
Poets are, however, welcome to sing, beatbox or make other sounds with their body as part of their performance.
Do poems need to be on specific topics?
Poets are free to write and perform on any topic they wish. However, poems may not include sexist, racist, homophobic or transphobic comments.
Basically: leave any hate at the gate.
Anger, upset, frustration and other difficult emotions are completely legitimate emotions to explore and express through poetry.
Can I enter more than one heat?
Yes. Poets can apply for as many regional heats as they wish, but can only perform in one heat.
Do I have to memorise my poem?
No. Memorisation is not required. Poets are welcome to read their poem on stage.
Who will judge the slams?
Each regional slam will have five judges.
Two pre-booked judges with a performance background.
One MoS Team Member.
Two audience members selected on the night.
How will the slam be judged?
Each poet receives scores out of 10.
The highest and lowest scores are removed, and the middle three scores are added together to give the poet a total score out of 30.
Scores are shared directly with the scorekeeper rather than announced to the audience or poets.
The point is not the points, the point is the poetry!
What is the judging criteria?
Poets are judged on:
Poetic language
Idea and theme
Tone and mood
Performance
Vocal strength and emotion
Fluency
Will performances be photographed and filmed?
Yes. When applying to take part, artists will be required to consent to their performance being filmed and photographed.
High-quality video from the event may be uploaded to our YouTube channel as part of the full show, with clips and photography also used for promotional purposes across our social media channels, website and mailing list.
Will there be any mental health support for slam participants?
Yes. We appreciate that competition, performing live or discussing potentially sensitive subjects may trigger anxiety or other mental health concerns.
Slam participants will therefore be offered an optional, free 45-minute online aftercare session with our resident psychotherapist, Anna Sinski.
Anna will also be available at the event should participants require support.
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