2015 Ohio Poetry Day contests

• Ohio Poetry Day Contests Flyer

The third Friday of every October is Ohio Poetry Day, and every year the Ohio Poetry Day Association sponsors a series of Ohio Poetry Day Contests, with prizes from five dollars to sixty dollars.  This year there are thirty contests, ranging from the annual "I hate you- let's have a drink!" contest, to the Crème de la Crème contest, open only to previous winners, and the Evan Lodge Workshop award, for poetry to be critiqued in workshop on Ohio Poetry Day.

Closing Date: May 31, 2015 (postmark)
Eligibility for all contests consists of payment of a single $10.00 fee sent with the poems and entry blank, which is required of all entrants. (For thirty contests, that's the cheapest entry fee you will find anywhere.) All poems must be mailed with fee at one time in one envelope. If more than two poems, mail flat in a 9x12 envelope. All poems should be mailed to Bill Reyer, Contest Chairman, Department of English, Heidelberg University, 310 East Market St., Tiffin, OH 44883.
Entries must be original, unpublished in any form and must never have won a state or national contest prize of over $10, or be submitted for publication elsewhere. Poems must be in English, typed, photocopied or computer generated; single spaced (except between stanzas); on one side of 8 1/2 x 11 white paper. No artwork except for contest #2, the contest for the cover of the annual book.
All poems must be titled, and title should not be the same as contest/theme title. Two clear copies of each poem must be sent, both containing number and name of contest in the upper left corner, and the second copy only containing in the upper right corner the name and address of the contestant. Ohio only contests should add "Ohio native" after out of state address if relevant. Address labels or rubber stamps may be used.
Poems should be separated into first ('judges') and second (ID) copies and stacked in numerical order with judges' copies on top. Only one poem may be sent to any contest (except "Welcome Aboard" and the "Evan Lodge Workshop Award" ), and no poem may be entered in more than one contest. No poems or artwork will be returned, so keep copies of your work. Entrants retain all rights to their work, except that prize-winning poems and art will be published in a copyrighted Best of 2015 book which will appear at Poetry Day and be for sale at and after that date. Any entries in contravention of these rules will be disqualified and fee forfeited. Awards will be made at the Ohio Poetry Day weekend, October 16 & 17, at the University of Mount Union.
Winners lists will be made available in late summer if #10 SASE is sent with poems. No other prior notification will be made. Those not present at Poetry Day will have awards mailed to them. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard if you wish verification of your entry packet. You may photocopy these rules.

--Oh, and mark you calendars for the Ohio Poetry Day itself!  This year the celebration is the evening of October 16 (social and workshops) and during the day on 17 (readings and celebrations) at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.

• Ohio Poetry Day Blog