The national poetry month of April is here. What does it mean? Poetry contests abound offering prize money, awards, and publication to the lucky ones.
Where should one begin? With a variety of tried and true contests awarding prize dollars as well as publication, where should a hopeful poet go first?
Publish Poetry
One never knows without attempting to enter. With a fearless heart, a writer must offer his best, creative spark to the powers that be. Whether it is a small literary magazine or a national journal, a poet must send his work off to be critiqued and judged regularly.
Where to Enter Your Poetry
Once a poet decides his writing is vanilla or chocolate, or maybe even pistachio - blended with a bit of strawberry, his writing has a home. Finding an editor who likes pistachio or vanilla writing is the way a writer can pinpoint the path to being published.
Poetry Publications
There are a plethora of ongoing competitions and one must be diligent in weeding through the most appropriate journals and literary magazines. It doesn't happen overnight, reading through the list of competitions can dull the mind. What can one poet do?
Read The Poet's Market
This complete reference book of poetry competitions, journals and magazines offers the most up-to-date information to those serious about their writing. Don't delay. The Poet's Market reference book promises current addresses and editor's names for one year. It is the creme de la creme of reference books for poets.
Poetry Publishers in Florida
Check out Penumbra from the Tallahassee Writers Association. Penumbra is offering a poetry competition for poetry of all kinds as well as Haiku. Winners will be rewarded with dollar prizes from $200 to $20, along with publication.
Go to the Anhinga Press for Florida writers or writers who love Florida. The Anhinga is the omnipresent Florida bird who sits with his wings spread out to dry in the sun along any Florida pond, lake or waterway.
Check out Mudlark, the electronic poetry journal and see what competitions are currently ongoing.
The Tampa Review is always seeking new writers in poetry and prose. Check it out online and try a hand at competing.
National Poetry Contest
Compete in the Writer's Digest Writing Competition. The grand prize is $3,000.00 cash and a trip to New York to meet with editors or agents. Current entry deadline is May 15, 2009. This is the 78th annual writing competition with minimal entry fees for each category. Categories include memoir, short story, rhyming poem, unrhyming poem, stage play, children's fiction, young adult fiction, feature article, movie script, inspirational writing.
Contests can provide writers with a showcase of their work, a chance to let editors see what's new. One doesn't have to be a winner to be showcased - some writers who get noticed are the 20th place poets in a competition. Contests can open doors wide for writers!
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