Poetry Contests

Ah, the season for poetry and other writing contests has begun.  If you're interested in a poetry contest check here.  There is a separate page for essay contests.  Poetry contests generally begin around November and last through the spring.  More contests will be posted when their new deadlines and requirements become available.  If you know of a contest that is not posted, let me know and I will add it. 

Poetry:

Gannon University - Deadline February 1, 2005
 
bulletSubmit 1-3 poems, which will not be returned
bulletType each entry on plain white paper
bulletInclude your name, home address and phone numbers in upper left corner
bulletInclude Solon High School, grade, and English teacher's name in upper right corner
bulletSend entries to:  Berwyn Moore Poetry Contest, Department of English, Gannon University, University Square, Erie, PA 16541
bulletAward Ceremony April 21, 2005 in Erie, PA
bulletVisit their website

 

 First prize $100; Second prize $75; Third prize $50

 

Images, Solon High School Literary Magazine - Deadline February 11, 2005

bulletImages will accept poetry and short fiction, as well as artwork and photos. 
bulletPlease put your name on the back of your submission.
bulletGive your submissions to Mrs. Bush, Images advisor.
bulletImages will be published in May.
  Published authors and illustrators will receive one free copy of the magazine. 

 

Princeton University Poetry Contest for HS Juniors- Deadline March 1, 2005
 
bulletSubmit 1-3 poems, which will not be returned
bulletInclude your name, home address and phone number on each poem
bulletInclude Solon High School, grade, and English teacher's name in upper right corner
bulletSubmissions should be addressed to: Princeton Poetry Prize, Creative Writing Program, 185 Nassau Street, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.
bulletVisit their website

 

 Results will be posted on their website by April 1, 2005

 

Creative Communication - Deadline April 5, 2005
 
bulletThis contest has 5 divisions:  K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and adult.  There will be ten winners per division.
bullet21 line maximum poem length
bulletEntries must include poet's name, poem title, home address, current grade, school name, school address and teacher's name. 
bulletEnter online at poeticpower.com or mail entries to Creative communication 90 North 100 East;  Logan, Utah 84321
bulletIf a single school has more than five poets published, the school wins a free anthology.  (We won free anthologies in Spring 2003 & 2004 and Fall 2003.) 
bulletAccording to their website, only 50% of entries are honored with publication.
  Over $6000 worth of prizes are awarded annually.

 

Teen Ink Poetry Contest - Monthly Contest. 

 
bulletThere are monthly winners, so you can submit your poem(s) any time. 
bulletCheck out their website for requirements and submission information.
Winning poems are published in Teen Ink, the magazine.  Winners receive a free copy of the magazine, a dictionary and bragging rights.

 

National Federation of State Poetry Contests - Deadline March 15, 2005.
 
bulletThere is an entry fee of $1 per poem.
bulletA maximum of 8 poems may be submitted.
bulletMail your poem to Kathleen Pederzani, NFSPS Contest Chairman, 121 Grand Boulevard, Reading PA 19608-9680
bulletVisit the NFSPS website for more information on these 50 contests.

 

 Prizes vary, but first place ranges from $15 to $50.

 

Wergle Flomp Poetry Contest - Deadline April 1, 2005.
If you're into spoofs and parodies, you should check out this contest.
bulletSubmit a poem which spoofs a "vanity contest" to that contest.
bulletSubmit the same poem to the Wergle Flomp contest.
bulletSee the Wergle Flomp webpage for a sample.

 

 Prizes have very odd amounts--see the website for an explanation.

 

Winning Writers - Website of Information and Contests for Students
  This website seems totally legitimate and seems to be providing valuable first-hand experience as a result of getting burned as a young writer. 
bulletSee winningwriters.com for more information.

 

 

Cuyahoga Community College Poetry Contest - Deadline March 26, 2004.
  I realize this contest is currently outdated, but I expect it will have a March 2005 deadline.
bulletRead poems by last year's winners:  including Brittany Snyder, Jade Sterle, and Opal Joshi.
bulletSecond annual poetry contest for HS juniors and seniors
bulletSubmit up to three poems of 20 lines or less (each)
bulletAcquire an entry form at the college website.
bulletMail your poem to Cuyahoga Community College Poetry Contest, 700 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2878. 
bulletContact the Liberal Arts department at 216-987-2290 for more information. 

 

 Prizes:  First place - $150.  Second place - $75;  Third place - $50.

 

Publish your writing on a website for Ohio's student writers.
bulletSubmit a poem to be published on the internet.
bulletVisit OCTELA's website for information on submitting your entry.
bulletPeruse the same website to read poetry by other Solon teens.

Poetry & Fiction:
 

Earth Day:  Art, Poetry and Essay Contest - Deadline March 26, 2004. 
Earth Day Coalition Logo
bulletOpen to students grades 7 - 12
bulletPrompt:  What concerns you most about Ohio's water quality?  What is important about Lake Erie, Ohio's rivers, streams, wetlands or other Ohio waterways?  What is at risk, and what can be done? 
bulletInvestigate topics at various websites:
Ohio Trees, Endangered Wildlife, Rare Plants, Ohio Birds, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lake Erie, Ohio EPA, Ohio Bicentennial Website.
bulletEntries should be 500 words or less for entrants grades 10-12
bulletObtain an entry form from Mrs. Bush (your parent must sign this form) and attach it to the back of your entry
bulletMail entry to Earth Day Contest, Earth Day Coalition, 3606 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
bulletFor more information or to download an entry form visit the Earth Day Coalition website.

 

 Prize:  cash prize, certificate of honor, and display of work at Earth Fest 2004

 

Writer's Digest:  Short Story, Poetry and Essay Contest - Deadline May 15, 2004. 
 
bulletNot just for high school writers.  However, Writer's Digest is a reputable name in the field and if you're serious about your writing, this source may be for you. 
bulletThere are entry fees (all under $15) for these contests.
bulletFor more information on requirements for each contest, visit the Writer's Digest website. 

 

 Prize:  cash and prizes

 

Teen Ink Magazine

 
bulletWhat is your favorite thing you have ever written?  You can probably submit it to Teen Ink.  It isn't a contest, but it is a place to be published. 
bulletThey accept various genres of writing, and art and photos.
bulletCheck out their website for requirements and submission forms.
bulletMrs. Bush has a sample copy of the magazine on her desk--if you're interested in seeing it, just ask!  I know of three Solon teens who've been published in this forum. 

 

Byline Magazine

 
bulletThis magazine has a variety of writing contests with deadlines every month. 
bulletMany contests require a small entry fee (under $5), but they also offer prizes (~$50). 
bulletCheck out their website for requirements and submission forms.

 

Student Bylines, Revolving deadlines - Next deadline - June 1, 2004

 
bulletThis contest (to have your work published) does not seem to be affiliated with the contest above.
bulletThey accept poetry and fiction of 1500 words or less and publish chosen submissions into a text. 
bulletSee their website for specific requirements and submission details. 
They pay you for winning entries.

 

Hanging Loose, continual submissions

 
bulletThis is a serious literary magazine for serious writers (HS and adult).
bulletThey will accept 3-6 poems or 1-3 short stories at a time.
bulletSee their website for specific requirements and submission details. 
Selected authors receive two copies of the magazine and a small fee. 

 

Up Pantoum Poems Poetry Contests Prose Contests Writing Conference 2003 Contest Winners 2004 Contest Winners 2005 Contest Winners 2006 Contest Winners Class of 2007 Winners 2008 Contest Winners