Don't Miss this One: The All Write Now! Conference at SEMO July 16

SEMO
All Write Now! Location

If you haven't signed up for the All Write Now! Conference already, you still have time.

This year's Conference at SEMO in Cape Girardeau, MO, will be July 16. Conference organizers have scheduled a variety of speakers including agents, editors, publishers, and award-winning writers. Other highlights include several contests, one-on-one critiques, a slush-pile workshop, on-site book sales, and door prizes!

The contest deadline is quickly approaching.

Writers of poetry, short stories, essays, middle grade, or flash fiction works have until May 15th to submit.

The good news is:

You don't have to attend the conference to submit and win!!!

The entry fee is modest (only $10 per entry).

And . . . previously published works are eligible to win!

Read complete guidelines here.

Here are the AWN! deadlines to watch:  

May 1st - June 27th - Standard registration is $85

May 15th - Last day to submit writing contest entries

June 15th - Last day to receive the group discount rate at the Pear Tree Inn. 

June 20th - Last day to submit sponsor ads (need setup time for the brochure)

June 25th - Last day to submit critique pieces, which cost an additional fee. 

June 27th - Last day to register for the conference and sign up for free pitches. 

July 1st - Last day to request the bookstore order your books.

July 16th - Last day to have pieces copied and ready for the Slush Pile Workshop.

For complete information, including names of faculty and schedule, visit the AWN website.

Poetry in Motion Contest From Metro Arts in Transit

Photo by lordsutch Creative Commons

I've already been to vote, and I didn't have to wait in line.

Hey locals, here's your chance to have your poetry motoring around the city of St. Louis.

Plus check out this ultra cool sidewalk poetry project going on in St. Paul, Minnesota. Wish we would do it in Missouri. Think about it. You're walking through a mundane day, living your life of quiet desperation and you find passionate words at your feet. Who couldn't use some these days?

From Metro Arts in Transit:

"Metro Arts in Transit and the Poetry Society of America are sponsoring a regional Poetry in Motion® contest open to all residents living within a 50-mile radius of the city of St. Louis. Metro Arts in Transit has sponsored various poetry and literary contests for the past decade. Starting with MetroLines, Arts in Transit's programming evolved into Literary St. Louis, and now Poetry in Motion®.

For 2009, fifteen (15) poems will be selected for publication and will be reproduced on posters that will include visual imagery that relates to the subject of the poem. The visual design will be created by Metro Arts in Transit at its discretion and will be displayed on MetroLink trains and Metro buses for up to one year. The winners will receive a $50 award and will be invited to read their poem at the Reading Ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Regional Arts Commission.

The contest is open to both published and unpublished work by poets of all ages. Previously published work must be provided with permission to reproduce.

Submittals will be judged by Jeanne Allison, Certificate in Writing Program Coordinator, UMSL; Edward Boccia, Professor Emeritus, School of Fine Arts, Washington University in St. Louis; Kris Kleindienst, co-owner, Left Bank Books, journalist with Vital Voice, News-Telegraph, and Gay News-Telegraph; Deanna D. Neely, teacher, Saint Louis City Public Schools; Howard Ramsby, teacher, English Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University.

The contest is open to all children and adults.

Please visit our website at www.artsintransit.org for contest rules, details, and to download your ENTRY FORM!

Sponsored by Metro Arts in Transit and the Poetry Society of America with financial support from the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council."

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on February 2, 2009 (postmark does not count)
Length: Up to 3 poems with a maximum of 15 lines per poem
No Entry Fee
An entry form must accompany your submission.

Dante's Heart Poetry Contest

Märchenbrunnen 1 (Snow White and Rose Red) by Nordelch Creative Commons

DANTE'S HEART POETRY CONTEST

Entries Due: November 1, 2008
Winners Announced: December 2008

• 1st Prize - $125 + Publication
• 2nd Prize - $75 + Publication
• 3rd Prize - Honorable Mention + Publication

Contest Judge:
Ever Saskya, Author of _The Porch is a
Journey Different From the House_
Entry Fee: $7 (USD)

What We're Looking For:
This contest seeks work that speaks to the mission of Danteʼs Heart.

Dante's Heart (http://www.dantesheart.com/) is an online venue looking for creative work that explores how myth and fairy tale define and are defined by the human experience(s). We want to celebrate the shock, wonder, bewilderment, suffering, and enchantment of myth, of the fantastic; we want to hear about rivers running with wine and ghosts jumping the Mississippi on motorcycles. We're concerned with the neglect of myth, with the blindness of a culture determined by myths it hasn't thought about; we demand (beg, entreat, scream) that myths be thought about, made and remade, handled with a delicate & angry/sad/ desperate/joyous exuberance.

Contest Rules
Submit poems by e-mail to editors@dantesheart.com.

Submit entry fees using the "Giving" page on our website (www.dantesheart.com), and e-mail us to specify that the funds are for the contest entry fee. Entries & entry fees must be received by November 1 in order to be considered for the contest.

Submit one entry only. An entry may consist of any of these:

• 1 poem of up to 7 pages
• A series of 2-3 inter-related poems up to 10 pages
• A series of 4 or more inter-related poems up to 15 pages

Send your best work. Please peruse our journal, Danteʼs Heart, at www.dantesheart.com, prior to submitting.

Borders Open-Door Poetry Contest & Poetry Readings Video Series

Borders is hosting its 2nd annual open-door poetry contest judged by poet Billy Collins.

Entries can be in print or video. Note that in some places it says the cut-off date is July 2008, but the main page says September 30 is actually the deadline for the second contest. Ten winning poems (5 adult and 5 teen) will be featured on Border's website, with two of these selected as overall winners.

Submit your poem or a link to your video poem on their website.

Border's open-door poetry video series has poets reading and discussing poetry. Jorie Graham has some great advice on writing poetry, and I recommend the Episode Six performance, Kim Addonizio's "What Do Women Want" for a quick shot of inspiration. Here's to the red dress.

Writer's Digest Poetry Contest 2008

Writer's Digest has announced their poetry contest for this year.

Entry fee: $10 for first poem

$5 for every additional poem
Style: Any
Length: 32 lines or less
Deadline: December 19, 2008



Prizes:
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $100
Fourth Through Tenth Place: $25
Eleventh Through Twenty-Fifth Place: $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books.

* The First-Place winner has the option of a FREE package from Lulu.com
* The names and poem titles of the First through Tenth-Place winners will be printed in the August 2009 Writer's Digest, and winners will receive the 2009 Poet's Market.

You can submit online or mail this form to:
WD Poetry Awards
700 East State Street
Iola, WI 54990

Missouri Poet Laureate Walter Bargen and St. Louis Writers Guild Poetry Contest

From the St. Louis Writers Guild:

ANNOUNCING...

On Saturday, June 7, from 10 am until noon, St. Louis Writers Guild will host WALTER BARGEN, Missouri Poet Laureate, who will present a talk titled "The First Line is the Poem." You do not want to miss this historic opportunity to meet our first Poet Laureate and also learn what he has to say about poetry.

This event will take place at Barnes & Noble-Crestwood, 9618 Watson Road, Crestwood, MO 63126. The presentation will include readings and books will be available for purchase and signing. Admission is free for SLWG members. The $5 fee for non-members will be fully credited toward dues if application is made within 30 days. Please help spread the word. We owe WALTER BARGEN a strong audience.

For information, visit: http://www.stlwritersguild.org/. For a chance at a $10 gift card from Barnes & Noble, please register to attend at: http://www.stlwritersguild.org/zfiles/calendarprograms/events/registration.php

What better time to remind you that our annual Deane Wagner Poetry Contest is open for submissions now through June 14? This is one of our two legacy contests, having run for decades. It has brought in entries throughout the US and abroad and has been mentioned in many national magazines and on websites that feature reputable writing contests. (We consider this and our short story contest major assets of SLWG). Local writers have been greatly advantaged this year by the opportunities to attend the poetry program that was presented in April by the judge, and also by this coming event featuring Missouri's Poet Laureate. Printable guidelines are available at: http://www.stlwritersguild.org/zfiles/calendarprograms/contests/poetry/poetry.php

We hope to see you,
Claire Applewhite
Publicity Chair
Saint Louis Writers Guild

Writing Contest for Essay, Poetry, and Short Fiction

"Write" by the trial Creative Commons

New Letters, the University of Missouri-Kansas City's prestigious literary magazine, is sponsoring writing contests for essay, poetry, and short fiction submissions.

The contests:
The $1,500 New Letters Prize for Poetry
for the best group of three to six poems

The $1,500 Dorothy Churchill Cappon Prize for the Essay
for the best essay (not to exceed 8,000 words)

The $1,500 Alexander Patterson Cappon Prize for Fiction
for the best short story (not to exceed 8,000 words)

Entry fee: $15 (but this includes a subscription to New Letters)

Postmark Deadline: May 18, 2008

OWFI Conference and River Styx Poetry Contest

I'm off to the Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference, so I may not get to post tomorrow.

Don't forget the deadline for the 2008 River Styx Poetry Contest is May 31, 2008. It has a large entry fee, but it's a well-respected contest and a correspondingly large prize.

From the website (bold is mine):

"A prize of $1,500 and publication in River Styx is given annually for a group of poems. All entries will be considered for publication. Submit up to three poems totaling no more than 14 pages with a $20 entry fee, which includes a one-year subscription to River Styx, by May 31, 2008.

Include name and address on cover letter only.
River Styx, International Poetry Contest
3547 Olive Street, Suite 107
St. Louis, MO 63103."

9th Annual Tupelo Press/Crazyhorse First Book of Poetry Contest

Notes on the Writing Life has info on the 9th annual Tupelo Press/Crazyhorse poetry contest for poets who've never published a book. You must submit a collection of poetry for consideration.

Prize: $3000 and publication of your book

Deadline: April 15, 2008.

Entry fee: $25

All unpublished poems are considered for Crazyhorse.

Don't Forget Saturday Writers One-Page Poetry Contest

In honor of April being poetry month, Saturday Writers is announcing our 6th annual poetry contest!

Submission Guidelines:
1) Any style, any subject, any form allowed. Wow us in one page. (One poem per single-spaced page.)

2) No identification should appear on the entry. Attach a separate coversheet with title, name, address, e-mail, and phone number.

3) Two copies of each entry! (Both judges need a copy.)

4) Entry fee: $5 per poem, maximum of three entries.

5) Poems must be unpublished at the time of submission, original work of the contestant.

6) Deadline: March 15, 2008 postmark.

7) Prizes: 1st place - $100, 2nd place - $50, 3rd place - $25. Top 10 entries receive a certificate.

8) Winners will be posted on the website by April 30, 2008. Certificates and cash prizes will be mailed the following week.

9) Mail entries flat, not folded, to: Saturday Writers One-page Poem Contest, Tricia Sanders, 90 Westwood Trails, Foristell, MO 63348. Do NOT send by certified mail!

10) Checks payable to: Saturday Writers.

Contest is open to members of Saturday Writers and non-members. Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top ten only) may be given the opportunity to have their stories included (one time rights) in the Saturday Writers literary collection, published the following year.

For a list of winners, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Or check out our website after April 30: http://www.saturdaywriters.org/.

Decision of judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Poems will not be returned.

Saturday Writers One-Page Poem Contest

In honor of April being poetry month, Saturday Writers is announcing our 6th annual poetry contest!

Submission Guidelines:
1) Any style, any subject, any form allowed. Wow us in one page. (One poem per single-spaced page.)
2) No identification should appear on the entry. Attach a separate coversheet with title, name, address, e-mail, and phone number.
3) Two copies of each entry! (Both judges need a copy.)
4) Entry fee: $5 per poem, maximum of three entries.
5) Poems must be unpublished at the time of submission, original work of the contestant.
6) Deadline: March 15, 2008 postmark.
7) Prizes: 1st place - $100, 2nd place - $50, 3rd place - $25. Top 10 entries receive a certificate.
8) Winners will be posted on the website by April 30, 2008. Certificates and cash prizes will be mailed the following week.
9) Mail entries flat, not folded, to: Saturday Writers One-page Poem Contest, Tricia Sanders, 90 Westwood Trails, Foristell, MO 63348. Do NOT send by certified mail!
10) Checks payable to: Saturday Writers.

Contest is open to members of Saturday Writers and non-members. Prize winners and honorable mention recipients (top ten only) may be given the opportunity to have their stories included (one time rights) in the Saturday Writers literary collection, published the following year.

For a list of winners, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Or check out our website after April 30: http://www.saturdaywriters.org/.
Decision of judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Poems will not be returned.

Sixth Biennial Greensboro Awards for Poetry and Short Fiction

Thanks to Donna for this contest announcement.

"The Writers’ Group of the Triad, Greensboro, NC, invites your members to participate in the Sixth Biennial Greensboro Awards for Poetry and Short Fiction."

Prize: $500 each genre.
Deadline: April 30, 2008
Entry fee: $20 entry fee.

No children’s or young adult. Final Judges: Poetry – Kathryn Stripling Byer: Short Fiction – Shannon Ravenel.

Contest for St. Louis Area Poets - Poetry in Motion on Metrolink

St. Louis's Metro Arts in Transit and the Poetry Society of America are sponsoring the Poetry in Motion contest for poets living within 50 miles of St. Louis, MO. The contest is open to children and adults.

Fifteen poems will be selected, paired with images, and displayed on Metrolink's trains and buses for one year.

Winning poets receive $50 and a year's subscription to Poets and Writers Magazine - and get their poetry read by all those zombie bored commuters.

The submission deadline is January 15, 2008. A postmark won't do for this one guys - it must be there by that date. The poem must come from an address within 50 miles of St. Louis, MO.

Poetry Contest - Burning the Midnight Oil

Burning the Midnight Oil Poetry Contest
Sponsored by The Write Helper

Submission Guidelines:

Every poem receives a free critique!

1) Any style, any subject, any form allowed. Poem should fit on one page.
2) No identification should appear on the entry. Attach a separate coversheet with title, name, address, e-mail, and phone number.
3) Entry fee: $5 per poem, maximum of three entries.
4) Poems must be unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant.
5) Deadline: October 31, 2007, postmarked.
6) Prizes: 1st place - $100, 2nd place - $50, 3rd place - $25.
7) For free critique, include a business size, self-addressed envelope or provide email address. Optional: For a thorough line edit, include $2 per poem.
8) Winners will be posted on the website by November 30, 2007. Cash prizes will be mailed the following week.
9) Mail entries flat, not folded, to:

Burning the Midnight Oil Poetry Contest
c/o Amy Harke-Moore
104 Harke Lane
Old Monroe, MO 63369.

Do NOT send by certified mail!
10) Checks payable to: The Write Helper
11) Now accepting online entries on our website: www.thewritehelper.com.
Contest is open to all poets. Prize-winners will be given the opportunity to have their poems published on our website: www.thewritehelper.com.

For a list of winners, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Or check out our website for the top 25.

Decision of judges is final. Not responsible for lost or misdirected entries. Poems will not be returned.

Margie: The American Journal of Poetry's "Strong Rx Medicine" Contest

Margie: The American Journal of Poetry has announced its "Strong Rx Medicine" Best Poem Contest and it has BIG prize money.

Deadline: Entries postmarked by October 31, 2007
Grand Prize: $2,500
for Best Poem & Publication in MARGIE Vol. 6
Twelve finalists will be published in Margie.
Judge:
TROY JOLLIMORE
Winner of The National Book Critics Circle Award

Quoted from their website:
GUIDELINES:
Submit 3 unpublished poems along with a $15 entry fee payable to MARGIE, Inc. (60 line limit per poem) Additional poems may be submitted for $5 each

Enclose a single cover sheet with your name, address, phone, email (if possible) & poem titles
No names should appear on the poems themselves
Simultaneous submissions accepted
Only submit copies as poems will not be returned
All entries will be considered for publication in Margie / The American Journal of Poetry
Include a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to receive notification of contest results
Send contest submissions & entry fee to:
MARGIE, POB 250, Chesterfield, MO. 63006

Questions? Please email us at: margiereview@aol.com