How To Enter A Poetry Contest in 2024: Helpful tips– Pawners Paper

To Enter a poetry contest, there are various rules and guidelines outlined to writers by the organizers. Don't panic, we will give you some helpful ..

How To Enter A Poetry Contest In 2024:  Helpful tips

What is poetry contest?

Poetry contest is a competition organized for writers to submit poems for cash prizes and other attached benefits like publications.

As a poet, or at best, a writer, getting a poetry or writing contest is one of the safest and easiest way of making money from one's skills and talent as a young and emerging writer. 

Unless one already has a published work, and he or she is getting good income from it, poetry and writing contest is the best way to build one's career as a writer.

Aside monetary values, some other benefits come along with winning or being among the shortlists for a poetry or writing contest. One is global recognition, a chance of getting published in popular magazines. You can check these out, we have amazing magazines that you can submit to, especially those that pays writers for submissions with no entry fee whatsoever.

Another benefit is, a slot to be a member of a prestigious literary organization. The best part is that some even comes with sponsorship.

However, getting the right poetry or writing contest might be quite difficult sometimes. Be rest assured, You can check here, we've got a compiled list of poetry and writing contest you would want to put in for with amazing cash prizes.

How To Enter Poetry Contest

To Enter a poetry contest, there are various rules and guidelines outlined to writers by the organizers. Don't panic, we will give you some helpful tips on how to enter a poetry contest below

First and Foremost, have an idea about the organizers. What they want interested poets to submit for them. The best way to do this is by checking their past contests, the winners of these contests, and the poems that won these contests. You can also go further by checking the shortlisted writers' poems.

Now, what you should look out for is the style of writing. It should be reiterated that every writer has his own style, therefore, having an insight on this will really help you.

Secondly, the themes! If there is a theme to write on as prescribed by the poetry organizers, follow these strictly as it's going to give you the best chance of being considered or at best, winning the contest.

For instance, if you're told to write on nature. Write on the sun, wind, trees or anything related to nature. Avoid writing on something unrelated.

Thirdly, the rules and guidelines! Most poetry organizers are fond of outlining guidelines for submissions. After themes, following the rules and guidelines is the second best way to get your works considered. 

Rules and Guidelines often look like this: 

"Submit only one poem of not more than 40 lines ( some might ask you to submit more)

Simultaneous submission are not allowed.

Send a bio, cover letter along with your work

Do not submit if your work is already published somewhere else"

I believe you know what guidelines are now, right? Easy Peazy!

Furthermore, in some poetry or writing contest, genres are included. For instance, (Poetry genre: haiku, limerick etc.) In other writing contests not strictly for poets, genres often look like these – poetry, essay, fiction, Nonfiction etc.

Lastly, and most importantly, the mode of submission! Never forget them because this is your gateway to the contests. Anything aside the stipulated mode of submission will be a stress in futility. You won't be considered. With my experience, poetry and writing contest organizers often emphasise on this.

What do I mean by mode of submission?

 Submission by email, submittable, an online form, letters etc.

Follow these like a prophecy from a seer and I assure you that you'll have a great chance of being considered and even winning the contests.

We have other thing you will be interested in as a writer or poet. Check here to find out.

How Do You Enter A Poetry Contests Or Competition With A Relaxed Mind?

It's something often common among writers who often dou t their dexterity as to submission of their works.

No problem with that. People get tensed sometimes but it should stay longer such that it creates doubt in their minds.

Here are some relaxing tips!

Find the appropriate writing or poetry contests or competitions. The one that best fits you.

Like I said earlier, read the submission guidelines

Revise your proposed work quite a few times until you're satisfied its free of any possible errors.

Then keep your head high! Worry less about the outcome and hope.

You might do some yoga too. It helps. Lol.

How To Judge A Poetry Or Writing contest

Judging a poetry contest can be quite tactical. But from my experience, writing contests are better judged by styles, message passed by the writers, usage of literary devices like metaphor

You can check our homepage for contests updates and the guidelines for submission. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for updates!

Check our opportunities section to see available contests you'll surely fit in.