April PAD Challenge: Awards Ceremony

It's been 3 weeks since the end of the April PAD Challenge. I hope everyone's continued writing regularly since the end--even if that only means a poem or two per week. After all, that's part of the challenge, I think, is turning writing into a regular (or, at the very least, semi-regular) routine. Based off the participation in the Wednesday Poetry Prompts, I'd say many of you are still keeping at it.

The challenge involved more than 400 poets who posted at least one poem during the month and more than 4,000 total poems. My current records show that more than 120 poets actually completed the April PAD Challenge through the blog. Anyone who thinks poetry is dead should not visit Poetic Asides during the month of April, because they'll experience severe culture shock. And for that, I thank all of you.

So anyway, I named the 2008 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate earlier this morning: Sara Diane Doyle. To see the official announcement and read some of the poems she posted to the site, just click here.

In addition to the 2008 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate, though, there are a few other special mentions I would like to make.

The Most Prolific Poet Award is actually a tie between Rodney C. Walmer and Iain D. Kemp. The two actually seemed to have become friends during the month, swapping poems and music. I'm not sure who posted more poems (I can't count that high), but they both surely surpassed 100 poems each. 

The Poet Most Likely to Write About a Comic Supervillain Award goes to Kateri Woody, who not only wrote about the Joker throughout the month of April but also inspired several poets to write about the Joker's foil Harley Quinn. Way to stick with it, Kateri.

The Most Hated Poetry Prompt Award goes to Day 28's write a sestina prompt.

The Most Loved Poetry Prompt Award goes to Day 28's write a sestina prompt. Apparently, poets feel passionately one way or the other on this prompt--and poetry should always be about passion, right? (Now I'm gonna get flooded with reasons why poetry should not always be about passion, huh?)

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For the final award, join me in congratulating the 120+ poets who completed this April PAD Challenge. They are (in no particular order):

Alfred J Bruey; Anahbird; Angie Bell; Diane Mowery; Rebecca; Roxanne Nicholson; Bonnie; Tonya Root; Lori; Barbara Tzetzo Gosch; Salvatore Buttaci; Corinne; Christa R. Shelton; John H Maloney; Carol A Stephen; IleanaCarmina; Cathy Sapunor; Carol Boudreau; Cheryl Wray; Chris Granholm Jr.; Carla Cherry; Connie; Lisa McMahan; Carol Brian; Liza; Linda SW; Amanda Selset; Beth Browne; Bonnie MacAllister; Bruce Niedt; Devon Brenner; Don Ford; Don Swearingen; Emily Blakely; Earl Parsons; Justin Evans; A.C. Leming; Jeanette J. McAdoo; Genta; Sue Bench; Deb Hill; Michelle Cooper; Justin M. Howe; Iain D. Kemp; k weber; Margaret Fieland; January G. O’Neil; JL Smither; Yoli; Joannie Stangeland; Joe; Kate Berne Miller; Kimberly Kinser; Christine Kephart; KP; Kevin; Mike Padg; Karen; LindaTK; Kateri Woody; Lyn Sedwick; lynn rose; LBC; Khara House; Laura Hoopes; Monica Martin; Elizabeth Keggi; Lin Neiswender; Barbara Ehrentreu; Laurie Kolp; Linda Brown; Linda Hofke; Lorraine Hart; Omavi Ndoto; Marcos Cabrera; Matthew Abel; Susan M. Bell; Maria Jacketti; M. Schied; Michelle Hed; Mike Barzacchini; M J Dills; Robin Morris; Judy Stewart; Jolanta Laurinaitis; Sarah; Nancy; Patti Williams; Bill Kirk; Rosemary Nissen-Wade; AlaskanRC; Sarah; Maureen Sexton; Sara Diane Doyle; Shirley Ann Tracy; Satia; Sally DiUlus; Sharon Ingraham; Shana; Renee Goularte; Callan Bignoli-Zale; Dee IKJ; Sheryl Kay Oder; Marcus Smith; SaraV; Barbara Torke; Lyn Michaud; Kriss; Paige; Sara McNulty; Suzanne Poor; Tad Richards; halfmoon_mollie; TaunaLen; Judy Roney; Teri Coyne; Susan Reichert; Terri; Jay Sizemore; Virginia Snowden; Rodney C. Walmer; Victoria Hendricks.

Congratulations to all of you! My month/year/decade has been made by your amazing commitment to this challenge--as well as your crazy praise that will have me blushing until the 22nd century rolls around.

All finishers will receive an award to place on their blogs, sites, etc. (created by our magazine design team). In addition, they'll receive these cool certificates of completion (created by our book design team). I'd like to thank both design teams for volunteering their time to this poetic cause.

(If your name was not among the finishers and you think it should've been, just send me an email at robert.brewer@fwpubs.com with the subject line "Where's my name, yo?" I'll be sure to work with you to get your name properly listed.)

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Okay, so after you get done congratulating each other, everyone should head on over to the Poetic Asides group at http://forum.writersdigest.com and share your thoughts on the challenge, the awards, and anything else.

Oh yeah, and remember: I'll be answering questions in the Poetic Asides group tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST) if anyone's got questions about poetry, publishing, etc. I'll be sharing my advice with any who show up. See you there.

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And one more time: Thank you all sooooooo much for participating in the 2008 Poetic Asides April PAD Challenge! See you all next year--when I offer up 30 straight days of sestinas (just kidding--or am I?).