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A couple of months ago I mentioned I won a poetry contest. Today I'd like to discuss that win, and if entering off-site poetry contests might be for you.
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A Passion for Poetry Contests: Part 1
After the phone call I couldn’t stop squealing. I had entered a local poetry contest in April and the judge called me personally to find out if I’d be able to attend the poetry reading/prize ceremony the following Saturday; like I didn’t have the date circled in red permanent marker since I’d sent in my poems.
Due to the personal invitation to read I was pretty sure I had won something; besides the judge also shared with me that my poem had captured her attention from the start, and never let it go. I don’t think my feet touched the ground for a week.
When Saturday came, I was a giddy, wiggly, fluttery mess. At the ceremony the judge announced the winners, and presented the prizes. She started from honorable mention then teased her way up to first prize. Despite the presence of my husband, I lusted for that sweet, sweet, top spot.
Every time my name wasn’t called, I was stabbed first with excitement: I didn’t get an honorable mention – was my poem in third or second place? Then I was stabbed with uncertainty: what if I’ve only been fooling myself? What if I was only clinging to hope’s skirt, waiting for her to notice me?
Finally, there was only one award left – this was it, either I’d won the heart of the judge or hope was breaking-up with me for good this time. When the judge announced my name, thank heavens my wobbly legs were able to propel me to the podium to accept the prize - a $50 check, and a year membership to the local art gallery that sponsored the contest.
~*~
Off-site poetry contests aren’t for everyone. To help you identify if entering writing contests might be your passion, I will share the information I use to decide whether a particular contest is right for me or not.
1) Am I allowed to enter? Some contests have restrictions of age, group membership, region, etc.
2) Is there an entry fee? Contest entry fees range from free (always nice) to $25 or more per entry.
3) Is the prize worth the entry fee? If the contest has one prize of $100 and an entry fee of $25, it doesn’t look as good to me as two entries for $5 with a $50, $25, $15, and two $10 prizes up for grabs.
4) Will I be a big fish in a little pond? I am not a bad poet, but I don’t think I’m up to stellar status, yet. I don’t want to throw away my money, even a puny five bucks. I chose the local contest because: A) it only cost me $5 for two entries, B) because it was local, the competition wasn’t as stiff as a national contest, C) this was a cheap way to see if my work could compete with the work of others. I’ve entered the Writer’s Market poetry contests several years with nothing to show for it but a tenderized ego. This is a quality contest, but it isn’t cheap – and in its defense it isn’t outrageous either. So, I decided I would work my way back up to the Writer’s Market contests. A best selling poetry book wasn’t built in a day.
5) Is the organization holding the contest reputable? There are some contests out there whose only goal is to make money by getting poets to buy an expensive book, tack on a bio and a picture for even more money, and sometimes even asks those poets to buy their own high-priced trophy (Leiper, 104). The contest is legitimate in that they do pass out the promised prize money. The trick here, if you choose to enter this type of contest, is to not pay for all the extra temptations.
6) This final item is a tip: You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repeating. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE CONTEST GUIDELINES or you’re just wasting your entry fee. I go over everything three times. Once as I get it ready, once as a double check, and a final time with someone else’s eyes – they look everything over as I read the guidelines to them.
~*~
Even though the contest was a small local one, it gave me the validation my waning writer’s ego needed. In fact, I entered a flash fiction contest soon after, and I just found out this weekend that my entry made the top 25 in this global contest. At the very least I will walk away with an honorable mention. Who needs Red Bull? 
Again, poetry contests aren’t for everyone. Some people might rather spend an entry fee on stamps and envelopes and submit their poetry to publishers, instead. I prefer to do a little of both.
To get you started on your poetry contest mission - if you choose to accept it, I’ve selected some site contests as well as some poetry selections this month. Next month I’ll tell you about what led up to being brave enough to enter off-site contests, and how I invested my winnings.
Source notes:
Leiper, Esther M. (2006). Win! Poetry Contests. Perham, MN: WRITERS' Journal Books.
My own experiences and the research I've done that you'll find listed in this item:
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Theme: Poems about writing, poetry, and some poetry contests.
Poetry:
A Few Site Poetry Contests
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Comments on last month's newsletter:
Submitted By: each
Submitted Comment:
I love to think that I can write Poetry...but the thing is, I've never learned the technicalities of poetry writing. Would love to see how your board reacts with this poem of mine. If there are any suggestions? And, obviously, would love for it to be considered for Poetry Newsletter if it's worth it. Thanks, and eagerly waiting. Eva
***NOTE FROM EDITOR: To see this poem, check out the Editor's Picks above***
Submitted By: White 
Submitted Comment:
It is well worth anyone's time to read the poetry newsletter. Always interesting and informative. Thank you. White
Submitted By: Ronis brain tumor is gone!
Submitted Comment:
Another awesome newsletter! I will be definitely checking out these and possibly trying out the forms too!
Submitted By: warriormom
Submitted Comment:
I LOVE this newsletter. I am new at poetry. I took some courses in college eons ago, but this newsletter is fascinating. I can't wait to look at some examples and try my own hand at it. Thanks!!!!!
Submitted By: chord0
Submitted Comment:
Parody can also involve a short story, see my essay on The trial, by Kafka, it was a short story written to make fun of the laws of the Austria-Hungarian empire. chord0
Submitted By: mareann52
Submitted Comment:
Loved the newsletter, and looking forward to next week. ~Cookie
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Poetry: June 25, 2008 Issue [#2461]
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