Sarah Howe takes Forward prize for collection exploring family history
Sarah Howe has won the Forward prize for best collection, receiving £10,000 for *Foretokens*, her second book of poems. The collection explores new parenthood, her father’s death and her mother’s early life in Hong Kong, and its recognition places Howe among winners of one of the UK’s major poetry awards.
Three other poets also received prizes: Nur Turkmani won £5,000 for best first collection, while Tara Bergin and Biff Smith each received £1,000 for a written poem and a performance poem respectively. *Foretokens* was shortlisted for the 2025 TS Eliot prize; Howe’s debut, *Loop of Jade*, won that prize a decade ago. The Forward prizes were established in 1992.
In short
- Sarah Howe wins £10,000 for *Foretokens*.
- Nur Turkmani takes the first collection prize.
- Tara Bergin and Biff Smith win poem awards.
Explained simply
The Forward prizes are UK awards for contemporary poetry, established in 1992. They recognise work in several categories, including full collections, first collections and individual poems.
Sarah Howe is a British poet whose first collection, Loop of Jade, won the TS Eliot prize. Her second book, Foretokens, draws on experiences including becoming a parent, her father’s death and her mother’s early life in Hong Kong.
The awards help bring attention to poets and new work. This year’s other recipients were Nur Turkmani, Tara Bergin and Biff Smith, recognised for a first collection, a written poem and a performance poem.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Sarah Howe wins Forward poetry prize for best collection”.