The Gleason Public Library is hosting its annual poetry contest in celebration of National Poetry Month this April. This year’s theme is “Hope.” All ages are welcome. Winners will be selected for the following age groups: ages 8 and younger, ages 9-12, ages 13-17, and ages 18+.
First place winners will receive a $100 cash prize and the first place poems will be printed in the Carlisle Mosquito. Honorable mention will receive Kimball’s gift cards!
Entries will be judged based on use of language, use of poetic techniques (such as rhyme, rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and more), originality, evocation of emotion in the reader, and connection to the theme of “Hope”.
Contest Guidelines:
- Open to anyone who lives or works in Carlisle.
- Contestants may submit one original, unpublished poem.
- Collaborations and anonymous works are not eligible for prizes.
- Poems may not exceed 45 lines in length (including title) and must fit on a single 8.5”x11” page.
- Poems should address the theme “Hope.”
- All entries must include a cover sheet with the contestant’s name, age group, and contact information; to facilitate blind judging, names and contact information should not appear on the poem.
- If you prefer that your poem not be included in a compiled archival book to be kept at the Gleason Public Library, please indicate this preference in your entry email or cover sheet.
- Entries will be accepted by email to director@gleasonlibrary.org (PDF or Word document) or in-person at the library.
- All entries must be received by 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 30th
Supported by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library.
