Share your words with your community.
SUBMISSION RULES
The subject for all submissions is "Virtue". Check out this list for some good options: https://www.virtuesforlife.com/virtues-list/
Poetry can be written in any poetic style (excluding haiku and limerick).
A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person entering the contest. Any poem containing plagiarized material will be disqualified.
Any entry containing cliché, or overused phrases will not be accepted. Examples: ‘Roses are red’, ‘Think outside the box’, or ‘At the end of the day’
All poems must be written in English.
Contest entries must be at least 3 but cannot exceed 26 lines (including stanza breaks) and cannot exceed 55 characters per line (including spaces between words). Any submission that exceeds these limits will be automatically disqualified. The poem title does not count as a line.
Do not double-space.
Poem must adhere to basic rules of capitalization.
Do not use “texting” lingo. Properly spell out all words and numbers.
Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate will not be accepted.
To ensure proper lineation, please use the “Enter” key to start a new line, indicating all intentional line breaks.
Do not include your name or any other information at the end of your poem.
POET RULES
The contest is open to anyone aged eleven (11) and up
The poet's name and address will be verified.
Only one poem per person may be submitted.
Poetry submissions must be uploaded via a PDF using the form found on this page and must be received by the webmaster no later than December 15, 2024.
Poems should be typed in 12pt, Helvetica, or Arial font.
For questions, email booksvillefest@gmail.com.
JUDGING PROCESS
Contest entries are judged based on poetic technique, effectiveness, style, and creativity. See our rating system guidelines under Ratings.
PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in both Youth (age 11-17) and Adult categories.
PUBLICATION
All contestants will be given the opportunity to be featured in a poetry anthology. There is no purchase required to be included in this anthology. There will be no royalties paid to contributors of anthologies. Every author will receive one free copy of the published anthology. Additional copies will be available for purchase. By submitting a poem to our contest, you accept that your poem will appear online and in print. We reserve the right to not publish a poem for any reason.
COPYRIGHT
All publications are copyrighted with the U.S. Library of Congress as compilations. All individual poetry remains the property of the author.