The 2025 Zócalo Poetry Prize Honors Poems of Place | $1,000 Cash Prize

Since 2012, the Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize has recognized the U.S. writer of a poem that best evokes a connection to place.

The 2025 Zócalo Poetry Prize Honors Poems of Place

Since 2012, the Zócalo Public Square Poetry Prize has recognized the U.S. writer of a poem that best evokes a connection to place. The deadline for the entries for 2025 is January 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. There is no fee required to enter the contest, and we accept simultaneous submissions.

According to the organizers, they are on the lookout for that rare combination of creativity and clarity, excellence and evocation. The prize interprets “place” in many ways: A location may possess historical, cultural, political, or personal importance, and may be literal, imaginary, or metaphorical.

This year's winner will be selected by the Zócalo staff, led by poetry editor Connie Voisine, working in conjunction with a Poetry Prize selection committee. The committee consists of ASU director of creative writing Sally Ball, attorney Rebecca Wiggs, and Inner-City Arts president and CEO Shelby Williams-González.

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Cash Prize for the 2025 Zócalo Poetry Prize Honors Poems of Place

The winner will receive $1,000 and will have the opportunity to read their poem at the Zócalo Book Prize event in the spring. Zócalo will also publish the poem on their site alongside an interview with the poet. In addition, they plan to recognize our honorable mention submissions.

Screenwriter and philanthropist Tim Disney returns to sponsor Zócalo’s literary prize program, which also includes the Zócalo Public Square Book Prize.

Submission Guidelines for the The 2025 Zócalo Poetry Prize Honors Poems of Place

For consideration, please send up to three poems to poetry@zocalopublicsquare.org.

Please attach your poem(s) to your email as a single Word document. Include your name, address, phone number, and email address with each poem. Personal identification will be removed prior to review by the judges. They will accept online submissions only, and will acknowledge receipt at the time of submission.

Eligibility

Poems must be original and previously unpublished work. They accept up to three poems from each writer as well as simultaneous submissions; let them know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Judging

Entries will be judged based on originality of ideas, theme, and style, as well as how well their poem evokes a connection to place. Judging is at the sole discretion of Zócalo Public Square and our Poetry Prize committee. The winner will be announced in spring 2025, and the winning poet will receive $1,000, a published interview, and an opportunity for a public reading hosted by Zócalo. The winning poem will be published on zocalopublicsquare.org. They will also publish a selection of honorable mention poems; those writers will receive $100.

Conditions

The winning poem and honorable mentions become the property of Zócalo Public Square, but writers may republish their poems at a later date after crediting and receiving permission from Zócalo. By entering the contest, the entrants grant Zócalo the right to publish and distribute their poems for media and publicity purposes, along with the poet’s name and photograph. Poets will be contacted by Zócalo before we publish any submission.