SPECIAL CONTESTS
Special contests are sponsored by Austin Poetry Society patrons at different times throughout the year. Poets must be Austin Poetry Society members to enter. Only one poem may be entered per contest. Later changes or additional poems will not be considered.
NOVEMBER CONTEST - “Spoken Word”
Sponsor: Ben Nash
Subject: Any
Style: Any form/style to be performed in one minute or less
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $5
Rules: Participants can read their own poem or a famous poem. Each reading must be 1 minute or less. Members and non-members are welcome to participate in this contest held at the Ruiz Branch Library on Saturday, November 16th, at 1:30pm. No one needs to sign up in advance.
Voting will be in-person or via zoom in a private message.
2024 ANNUAL CONTESTS
Here are the current Annual Contests sponsored by the Austin Poetry
Society and our patrons.
1. The Austin Poetry Society Award
Sponsor: The Austin Poetry Society
Any subject, any form, 28-line limit.
1st Prize: $200
2nd Prize: $100
3rd Prize: $50
4th Prize: $35
5th Prize: $15
2. The President's Award
Sponsor: Mary Jane Philpy-Dollins
Subject: Lost love.
Any form, 28-line limit.
1st Prize: $50
2nd Prize: $35
3rd Prize: $15
3. Down But Not Out
Sponsor: Thomas F Smith
Any subject.
Form: Petrarchan Sonnet, 14-lines.
(Think “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
1st Prize: $35
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $10
4. The Journey Award
Sponsor: Greg Silver
Subject: A descriptive journey.
Any form, 40-line limit.
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $10
5. The Fun Award
Sponsor: Benjamin Nash
Subject: Fun and Enjoyment.
Any form, 35-line limit
1st Prize: $40
2nd Prize: $20
3rd Prize: $10
6. The Future Contest
Sponsor: Benjamin Nash
Subject: Future Possibilities.
Any form, 35-line limit.
1st Prize: $40
2nd Prize: $20
3rd Prize: $10
7. The Art of Poetry
Sponsor: Sergio Elizondo
Subject: The art of writing poetry.
Any form, 30-line limit.
1st Prize: $50
2nd Prize: $30
3rd Prize: $20
8. Lyric History
Sponsor: Garrison Martt
Subject: Any historical event.
Any rhyming poetry, 30-line limit.
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $10
9. BLAST FROM THE
Sponsor: Thomas F Smith and Layne Hendrick
Subject: Any Topic.
Style: Villanelle (think “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”)
19-Lines with traditional stanza breaks
1st Prize: $30
2nd Prize: $20
3rd Prize: $10
10. Cento Contest
Sponsor: Susan Martinello
Any subject.
Style: A collage poem composed of lines from other poems.
A minimum of 10 lines, no more than 30 lines.
(Please list the poets quoted in order – after the poem).
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $20
3rd Prize: $15
11. Delicious Poetry
Sponsor: Anonymous
Subject: Food, beverages, meals, etc.
Any form, 30-line limit.
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $10
12. The Forces of Nature
Sponsor: Anonymous
Subject: Any powerful aspect of nature such as rivers, oceans, volcanos,
tornados or the resilience of weeds, etc.
Any form, 30-line limit.
1st Prize: $25
2nd Prize: $15
3rd Prize: $10
13. Aloha Award
Sponsor: Ailana Larson
Subject: Any heartfelt theme.
Any form, no line limit.
1st Prize: $30
2nd Prize: $20
3rd Prize: $15
14. Poetry of Presence
Sponsors: Jeffrey Taylor and Janelle Curlin-Taylor
Subject: As per the “Poetry of Presence” anthology: “good medicine
poems are mindful. Mindfulness is keeping our heads and hearts where
our bodies are. Moment by moment, we sustain a deep, nonjudgemental
awareness of our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and
surroundings, right where we are.” Seamus Heaney’s “Postscript” and
Mary Oliver’s “When I am Among the Trees” are both good examples.
Any form, 40-line limit.
1st Prize: $75
2nd Prize: $50
3rd Prize: $25
Submissions for the Annual Contests will open August 1st and
close August 31st.
All current Austin Poetry Society members may enter any of the Annual
Contests, however these must all be submitted at the same time. Multiple
submissions per person are not allowed. Later corrections are not
allowed. One-line titles do not count as lines unless specified. Any
additional title lines, quotes, notes and spaces between lines count as
lines. Detailed rules are emailed to current Austin Poetry Society
members. Submissions must follow the APS Annual Awards rules and
sent by email to this address: austinpoetrycontest@gmail.com