Free Student Poetry Contest Official Rules
Eligibility: The
Student Poetry Contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 3-12
(including home schooled and tutored children), regardless of experience or previous publication,
except where prohibited. Employees and agents of The America Library of Poetry
and their immediate families are ineligible and may not enter. Each entrant may submit one poem of no more than 20 lines
on any subject, and in any form, provided that the content of the poem is not
vulgar or offensive, does not employ profanity, and is the original, individual work of the entrant.
All submissions become the property of
The America Library of Poetry and will be considered for publication in a
forthcoming anthology and may appear on this website.
Entrants retain copyright on his/her own individual work. Submissions by
multiple entrants may be mailed together in one package to save on postage.
All entries sent by mail must include completed entry form.
All entries sent via website must include completed online form.
Entrants must complete the entry form its entirety to qualify for the contest
and may submit no more than one poem per contest.
Contest Dates: The Student Poetry Contest is ongoing. Entries are accepted year-round and placed in the contest most current at the time of their receipt. Each contest states a deadline of April 30th. Next contest begins the following day.
Selection: Poems are judged based on originality, creativity, and artistic quality. Poems not meeting the requirements for line limitation are automatically disqualified.
Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are selected in each of four divisions (Division 1 - Grades 3-5, Division 2 - Grades 6-7, Division 3 - Grades 8-9, and Division 4 - Grades 10-12). Each winner will receive a U.S. Savings Bond and Certificate of Achievement. The writer who places first overall receives the Editor's Choice Award, and a $500.00 U.S. Savings Bond Grand Prize. Prizes are also awarded by random drawing, based on participation and not artistic ability, to encourage all children to pursue literary endeavors. In the event of a tie, duplicate prizes will be distributed.
Decisions: The panel of judges consists of members of The America Library of Poetry Review Committee. All decisions made by the judges are final.
Fees: There are no entry fees for any of the contests. No purchase necessary. No financial obligation to enter or win the contests.
Copyrights: The author retains all copyrights to the submitted poem. Winning poems will appear on this website with the copyright notice intact and may be considered for publication in a forth coming anthology.
Notification: Winners are announced every September 30th. Winners are notified by phone or by mail. Names of the winners and their respective poems may appear on this website.
Privacy Policy: The America Library of Poetry collects personal information for the purpose of notifying contest winners. All information submitted is kept in confidence, and used solely for notification purposes and shall not be made public by The America Library of Poetry. The America Library of Poetry does not lease, lend, sell, or share personal information collected. Minor children must have parental permission to enter the contest.
Legalities: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by The America Library of Poetry. All rights reserved.