Our contest has yet to feature a selection in the genre of poetry, and we are growing anxious for a writer to submit that first winning poem. Below, we offer some suggestions to help you understand our aesthetic criteria:
- Avoid heavy abstraction. We prefer poems with strong imagistic qualities that help us see what you want to communicate.
- Avoid overly-personal writing. While you may choose any subject matter–personal or public–your poem should be rendered in such a way as to make that material meaningful to your audience as well as to yourself.
- Not every poem must tell a story, but your poem should leave us with the sense that we have encountered a complete unit of meaning rather than a list of impressions.
- Have a rationale for your line breaks, and be wary of novelty formats. Not all of us can be e.e. cummings, nor should we try.
- Avoid predictable, cliche, or corny endings. A disappointing ending can ruin an otherwise good poem.
- Do not use the comments area below for submissions. We’re serious. We will immediately delete submissions posted as comments.
Cool contest.
Is the contest open to applicants in the UK or purely those within the US??
I want to knock your socks off…
Yes, it’s open internationally-we receive submissions from around the world. Good luck!
Uptill when poems are submitted? What are the best topics e.g. life, love, hope etc selected mostly for the prize?
Poems may be submitted whenever the mailbox is open. For this month’s contest, there is no theme, although it varies month to month, from judge to judge.
Is children’s (including rhyming) poetry acceptable?
Yes. Our program offers a Childrens/Young Adult MFA, so children’s rhyming poetry is fair game. FYI, the contest mailbox is currently closed, but will reopen February 1. Good luck!
Where do we put in the personal details? What about the writing itself? Do we attach it as a file or paste it in the body of the e-mail?
The submissions for June are now closed. Check back July 1.
For contest rules, click here: http://whidbeystudents.com/student-choice-contest/student-choice-contest-rules/
hi could you tell me how to enter this compitition and the end date for entries
I WANT TO BE PART OF THE COMPETITION. HOW DO I ENTER?
Please visit our student choice contest checklists in the Student Choice Contest section of the website. There you will find a complete list of guidelines for submission. Thanks.
do read my poem …i am 14 now and write as a free lancer
Please submit your poem via the mailbox link on the student choice contest page.
Does it matter how old the writer is?
No, it does not matter how old the writer is.
Can you give me your e-mail to enter as my library does not facilitate using your automatic e-mail system
I’m sorry, we cannot give out the judge’s personal email address.
Can the poem be inspired by another author? I wrote a good poem but it is inspired by George Ella Lyon. Should I write under the title: “inspired by Geroge Ella Lyon”or something?
It can be inspired, but cannot be copied.
Hello,
You guys really set up a nice competition! Wow! I hope to blow your socks off. This is kind of like the previous question, but if it is inspired, may I use the same format? For example, I will use Emma’s example, George Ella Lyon. Her poem where I’m From is set up with I’m From… for every line. May other writers enter a piece alike this?
Thank you so much,
~A 12 year old.
All entries should be the original work of the author.
I can’t find anywhere specifically stating whether or not we may submit multiple pieces per month. May we?
No multiple submissions. Thanks.
Does this month have a topic to write on or can we enter anything we want to?
Topics are posted on the homepage and also on the student choice contest page.
You need to make the submission area easier to find. I’m really confused
Please make a tab for the submissions. It’ll make it more efficent and the usage of this website may go up. (Don’t worry about my last post, I found that out.)
To submit, simply click on the mailbox link on the student choice contest page.
Can I submit my poem if I’ve submitted it in a different contest elsewhere?
No. We do not accept simultaneous submissions.
great to find and avenue to test my talent with the world, tnx guys!!!
Am from Nigeria .wish to contest pls how may i summit my poem
Please refer to the instructions on the checklists provided under the student choice contest tab on the website.