23 poetry contests to enter in 2023
Rina Fontes Malka
A writer with too many ideas and not enough time.
Entering poetry competitions is a great way to motivate yourself to write, a chance to make some extra cash, and a good portfolio builder! However, finding the competitions can be tedious at best — so we’ve done the hard work for you!
Why should you enter writing competitions?
Writing competitions, of any kind, offer exposure, publications, cash, or other prizes!
There’s no given that you will win, but if you do, competitions often come with a handsome stipend, and other small prizes for runners-up and honorable mentions. Also, you don’t always have to enter poetry competitions in your own country. Since most competitions are electronic now, they frequently permit poets from other country to submit their poems (provided they are in the appropriate language of the competition).
Free Poetry Competitions to Enter
If you're not looking to drop entry fees, here are some poetry competitions to enter that are completely free!
1. $ Bennington College Young Writers Award$
Entry Requirements: The Young Writer’s Award calls for students in 9th-12th grade (U.S. and international) to write for their three competition categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction. All entries must be original and sponsored by a high-school teacher (homeschooled students are instructed to contact a mentor for sponsorship).
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: November 1st, 2023
Prize: 1st place winner receives $1,000; second-place winner receives $500; third-place winner receives $250
2. $ Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships $
Entry Requirements: The Poetry Foundation presents the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry fellowship. They are looking for U.S. citizens aged 21-31 with a commitment to poetry. Applicants can upload a PDF document of 10 pages of poetry.
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: April 14th, 2023
Prize: $27,000
4. $ Poetry.com Contest$
Entry Requirements: Poetry.com hosts poetry competitions every month, and everyone is free to join provided they have a Poetry.com account. Poems should be previously unpublished and shouldn’t exceed 75 lines. All poems must be in English, and there’s a limit of 150 poems per contest. The winner is decided democratically, where everyone is permitted one vote for their favorite poem.
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: Monthly
Prize: First Place wins $500; Second Place wins $300; Third Place wins $200; 5 Runners-up win a Personalized Mug
5. $ The Sunflower Poetry Review$
Entry Requirements: The Sunflower Poetry Review is open to poets over 18 from any country. Poems can be of any genre and style, but all must be in English and completely original. There is a 150-word minimum and 500-word maximum, and there is a limit of one poem per writer.
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: Year round deadline
Prize: Prize Package that includes poetry/writing-related prizes and/or other items that are elected by the Sunflower staff.
6. $ Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest$
Entry Requirements: The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest is the opportunity to use your literary funny bone. There’s one poem per writer with a 250-line limit. All writers are eligible to apply, although some select countries are excluded due to U.S. government restrictions. All poems must be written in English (although inspired gibberish is accepted).
Entry Fee: $0
Deadline: April 1st, 2023
Prize: First prize is $2,000; Second prize is $500; and there are 10 Honorable mention awards at $100 each. All winners are published.
Small Fee Poetry Competitions
If you have a few dollars to drop on an entry fee, contests behind a paywall typically have a smaller competition pool and higher prizes. Here are some poetry contests you can enter for $10 and below.
7. $ Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award$
Entry Requirements: Plough presents the Rhina Espaillat Poetry Award, honouring the achievements of renowned poet and translator, Rhina Espaillat. Poems must be unpublished, cannot be submitted elsewhere, and be under 50 lines. There is a 3-poem submission limit per writer.
Entry Fee: $5
Deadline: March 30th, 2023
Prize: First place receives $2,000 and a publication in Plough Quarterly. The two finalists will receive $250 and a publication in Plough Quarterly as well.
8. $ Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest$
Entry Requirements: Ready for a challenge? Tadpole Press is hosting their 100-Word Poetry Contest. There’s a 100-word limit (who could’ve guessed), and the theme is ‘Humor As Healing." Any writers from any background are welcome.
Entry Fee: $10
Deadline: April 30th, 2023
Prize: First place gets $1,000; Second place gets a writing coaching package (worth $450); Third place gets a developmental and diversity editing package (worth $250).
9. $ Tor House Prize for Poetry$
Entry Requirements: Poetry of all forms are accepted, as are multiple and simultaneous submissions. Each poem should be printed on 8 1/2" by 11" paper, no longer than three pages.
Entry Fee: $10 for the first 3 poems, $15 for up to 6 poems, $2.50 for additional poems
Deadline: March 15, 2023
Prize: $1,000 (first place), $200 Honorable Mention Award
10. $ The Charm Poetry Competition$
Entry Requirements: The Charm Poetry Competition invites anyone over the age of 16 to enter their writing contest. Poems may be on any subject, but must be written in English and be original, unpublished work. Submissions must be less than 32 lines long, and a maximum of 4 entries are accepted.
Entry Fee: £5
Deadline: April 23rd, 2023
Prize: First prize is £100; Second prize is £50; Third prize is £25
11. $ New Writers Poetry Competition$
Entry Requirements: The New Writers Poetry Competition is open to everyone aged 16 and up. Poems can be on any subject, but must be in English, unpublished and original works only. 40-line limit.
Entry Fee: £10 per entry; £18 for two entries*; £25 for three entries*
Deadline: July 12th, 2023
Prize: First Place is awarded £1,000; Second Place is awarded £300; Third Place is awarded £200.
12. $ Frost Farm Prize for Metrical Poetry$
Entry Requirements: The Frost Farm Prize for Metrical Poetry contest accepts writers of all backgrounds. Poems must be unpublished original works, in metrical form, and written in English. There’s an unlimited amount of entries.
Entry Fee: $6
Deadline: March 31st, 2023
Prize: $1,000 and the chance to read in the next Hyla Brook Reading Series at the Robert Frost Farm.
13. $ Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest $
Entry Requirements: Dream Quest One present their Poetry and Writing contest. Any subject, theme, style, and form are welcome, but there is a 30-line limit on poems. Multiple entries are accepted.
Entry Fee: $5.00 per poem.
Deadline: May 28th, 2023
Prize: First Place offers $250; Second Place offers $125; Third Place offers $50.
14.$ F(r)iction Writing Contests $
Entry Requirements: F(r)iction hosts their writing contest. It’s open internationally to applicants over 13-years-old (poets younger than 16 require parental consent), and all styles of poetry are accepted. All works must be in English, and there is a 3-page limit. Simultaneous submissions are eligible, but previously published work is not.
Entry Fee: $10 per poem (or $12 for a 3 pack)
Deadline: April 27, 2023
Prize: $300 Prize
15.$ The Plaza Prize Prose Poetry Competition$
Entry Requirements: The Plaza Prize presents their Prose Poetry Competitions, open internationally. Multiple entries are allowed, in any style or form, but all poems must be unpublished, original, written for adults, and in English. There is a 50 line limit, and simultaneous submissions are permitted, so long as another submission by that poet hasn’t already won.
Entry Fee: £10.00 (subsequent entry: £5.00)
Deadline: March 31st, 2023
Prize: First Place offers £500; Second Place offers £200; Third Place offers £50; the top 10 shortlisted prose poems will also be published in The Plaza Prizes Anthology.
Poetry Contests With Larger Fees
If your budget has a little more wiggle room, you might consider these poetry contests with entry fees over $10.
16. $ Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition $
Entry Requirements: Writer’s Digest is holding their Annual Writing Competition! It’s open internationally to poetry submissions. Poems have a 40-line limit, and all work must be original.
Entry Fee: Early Bird fee is $20 (subsequent entries are $15 each). Regular fee is $25 (subsequent entries are $20 each).
Deadline: Early-Bird Deadline is May 5th, 2023; Regular Deadline is June 5th, 2023.
Prize: First place receives an array of prizes: $5,000 in cash (with an additional $1,000 for the first place winners in each of the competition’s categories), an interview with Writer’s Digest’s November/December issue, an all expense paid trip to Writer’s Digest annual conference (that comes with a Pitch Slam slot), a special trophy presentation at the keynote, and publication of their winning piece.
17. $ Narrative Prize$
Entry Requirements: The Narrative Prize holds their annual contest, and it’s open internationally! You can submit up to 5 poems (in one document) and all poetic forms and genres are welcome. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
Entry Fee: $27
Deadline: June 15th, 2023
Prize: $4,000
18. $ The One Page Poetry Contest $
Entry Requirements: One Page Poetry is hosting their annual poetry contest! Open internationally, multiple entries are permitted. As per the contest’s title, poems must fit on one digital page of 8" x 11".
Entry Fee: $25
Deadline: September 30th, 2023
Prize: First place gets $2,000; Second Place gets $1,000; and Third Place gets $500.
19.$ The Lascaux Prize in Poetry$
Entry Requirements: The Lascaux Review presents their Lascaux Prize in Poetry. Multiple submissions are accepted, and there is a limit of 5 poems per entry. No length restrictions apply, and all genres and styles are welcome.
Entry Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31st, 2023
Prize: $1,000 and a bronze medallion; finalists receive $100.
20. $ Bridport Prize $
Entry Requirements: The Bridport Prize is open internationally to writers aged 16 and up. All entries must be original, unpublished and a maximum of 42 lines. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but should a submission win in another competition, you must withdraw. Unlimited entries.
Entry Fee: £12
Deadline: May 31st, 2023
Prize: First place offers £5,000 and an invitation to the Bridport Award Ceremony; second prize offers £1,000; third prize offers £500. All winners will be published in the Bridport Anthology.
21. $ Emerging Writer's Contest$
Entry Requirements: The Emerging Writer’s Contest is open internationally, and is exclusive to writers who have never been published. Poetry submissions must be a minimum of 3 pages, and maximum of 5 pages. Only one entry per year, per author, is permitted. All work must be original and unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, so long as you notify the contest if you win elsewhere.
Entry Fee: $24
Deadline: May 15th, 2023
Prize: $2,000 and a review from Aevitas Creative Management.
22. $ The Caterpillar Poetry Prize$
Entry Requirements: The Caterpillar Magazine is holding their annual Caterpillar Poetry Prize! Open to any adult (in this case, writers over 16) writing poems aimed at young target audience, aged 7-11. All work must be original and unpublished. Poems can be on any subject.
Entry Fee: €15
Deadline: 31 MARCH 2023
Prize: First place is awarded €1,000, and a week at Circle of Misse in France! Second place is awarded €500, and third place is awarded €250. All winning poems will be published in the Irish Times.
23. $ The Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry$
Entry Requirements: The Adrienne Rich Award for Poetry is open internationally! You can submit 1-3 poems (maximum 10 pages) on any subject and style. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please contact the contest if your poem wins anywhere else.
Entry Fee: $15
Deadline: April 30th, 2023
Prize: $1,500
Now, go enter some of these competitions! Good luck!
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