Winter Contest 2000

Photographs of Missouri scenes are reproduced courtesy of Lee Ann Russell, poet from Springfield, Missouri.

Missouri State Poetry Society Winter Contest 2008

Deadline:

Postmarked February 15, 2008

Format:

Submit two copies of each entry, category number and name in upper left-hand corner of both copies, poet's name and address in upper right-hand corner of one copy. If you are a member, put "Missouri State Poetry Society" below your address. Put "Non-member" if you are not.

Note that there are special rules for
student submissions.

Limits:

Poems may be 40 or fewer lines. They may be unpublished or previously published if the poet retains the rights to the poem. Poets may enter each category as many times as they wish. No poems will be returned.

Categories:

Rhymed verse or blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), any subject, serious or humorous

Free verse, any subject, serious or humorous.

Humorous verse, any subject.

Any form, winter subject, serious or humorous.

Poet's choice: any form (including open-field, shaped, or concrete poetry), any subject, serious or humorous.
Youth Poetry Division I: Middle School 6th-8th grades
                      Division II: High School 9th-12th grades
                                   (See Special Rules Below)

Special Rules for Youth Poetry (for Category 6 only):
1. FREE. There are no fees for the Youth category.
2. Open to Missouri students only, currently in grades 6-12.
3. Limited to one poem per student.
4. Students may individually submit an entry, or they may be submitted by their teacher.
5. Any type of poetry accepted except “found poetry.”.
6. 37 line maximum, including lines between stanzas; lines no longer than 45 characters.
7. Cash prizes will be awarded. In addition, first place winners will be published in the MSPS Anthology Grist.
8. Winners and HMs will automatically qualify as candidates for MO entries to the Manningham Student Poetry Award Contest, sponsored by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

Submit two copies:
1. On one, write only “category 6” and the student’s grade in top right hand corner.
2. On other copy:
     a. in top right hand corner, write category 6, student’s name, address, and grade.
     b. on top left hand corner, write English teacher’s name and email address, school name and address
Send Youth entries to:      Judy Young
                                       MSPS Youth Director
                                       6155 E. Farm Road 132
                                       Springfield, MO 65802

Fees for Categories 1-5:

Non-members pay $1.00 per poem. Members pay $1.00 for two entries. Make money order or check payable to MSPS and mail to Bill Lower, 21010 S. Hwy 245, Fair Play, MO 65649. Include an SASE or your e-mail address on an index card for a list of the winners.

Prizes:

$25, $15, $10, and three honorable mentions in each category.

Membership:

If you do not belong to one of our local chapters but wish to join Missouri State Poetry Society, pay the $13 annual member-at-large fee and enter the contests by paying a member's reduced contest fees. See Membership Application.