  Poetry
This week: Gain exposure for your poem! Edited by: ~ Santa Sisco ~  
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Hello from ~ Santa Sisco ~ , I am the guest editor of this week’s newsletter.
I am thinking of entering my poem into a contest. What are the benefits I can expect? What should I do before I enter my poem?
In this issue, I will discuss why contests are are great way to gain exposure for your poetry on W.Com. I will also mention some of the things you should do before you enter your poem into a contest. |
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You will gain exposure.
I run the "Newbies ONLY Short Story & Poem Contest" for members that have been here for six months or less. One thing I have noticed as the owner, and sometimes judge of this contest, is the quality of our newbies poetry can be amazing. Considering most of the entrants are attempting their first shot at writing a poem, I am impressed with the results. I receive a lot of comments from contestants that say they know they have no chance of winning, but want to enter their first contest on W.Com. I believe many of them do not realize that the contest also gains them exposure for their work. I know from personal experience that once I enter an item into a contest here it receives more views than if it were just sitting pretty in my port. This can also mean that I receive reviews that I wouldn't have received if I hadn't entered the contest.
Follow the rules!
My best advice for anyone entering a contest is to read the rules, several times if you need to, until you are sure what is expected of your entry. Make sure you have followed the prompt. Some contests allow editing of your poem until the contest closes, others do not allow editing once you have submitted your entry.
Get some reviews before you enter.
I would always advise that you try to get a few reviews before you enter your poem. Make a post in "The Shameless "Plug" Page" as soon as you think your item is ready for comments and constructive criticism. You can also use the http://www.writing.com/main/authors/action/reviewers if you want to spend some Gift Points and get the reviewer of your choice. I strongly advise that you set the reviews for your poem to, “Review only; No Ratings.” That way you will not be entering a contest with a possible three star rating attached.  Once you have received some reviews, and you are happy with your poem, set your poem to accept ratings or review required to accept ratings. Then submit your entry to the relevant contest of your choice. A good selection of all currently active contests can be found at "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" .
Poetry form.
Check to see if there is a particular poetry form to be used. If a poetry form is followed, mention it. Too many poems are posted without any indication of the form used. I regularly mention in my reviews that the form is needed to assess if the correct format of the poem has been used. I usually add the following note in my review suggestions:
“Poetry form: You have not mentioned if you have used any poetry form. I can therefore only guess that it is freestyle. I put a footnote in my poetry to let reviewers know what form is being used. Even freestyle needs to be identified as such. My own poems are usually the same style so I add the footnote: Freestyle poetry. Each stanza is a quatrain and I follow an AABB rhyme scheme. You might want to consider using a dropnote to add a description of the form used, or a link to a description.”
Let the judges or reviewers know what form is used; they are not clairvoyants. 
Join a poetry group.
If you are new to poetry, or an expert, I would also advise that you join a poetry group. I belong to "The Poet's Place " . This group has an in-house poetry professor, Dave has company  , and I find his weekly newsletters are an invaluable source of knowledge about the different poetry forms. Groups are also a great resource to get reviews and general advice on writing poetry. I am sure there are other poetry groups out there, so please let us know by providing some feedback to this newsletter.
Proof that entering contests can gain exposure of your work.
I have used the “Editor Picks” as a showcase for some of the poems that have won the "Newbies ONLY Short Story & Poem Contest" over the past year. More proof of the exposure your work can receive as a direct result of entering a contest. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Thank you to anyone that takes the time to comment on my first poetry newsletter. I look forward to your comments. Don't forget to let me know about any poetry groups you belong to on W.Com. Warmest Regards, Sisco.  |
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Poetry: February 26, 2014 Issue [#6179]
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