Poetry Awards

CLOSED. Winners will be notified by December 31, 2024.

Calling all poets! We’re on the lookout for poems of all styles–rhyming, free verse, haiku, and more–for the 19th Annual Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards! This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusively for poets. Enter any poem 32 lines or fewer for your chance to win $1,000 in cash.

Prizes
How to enter
Preparing Your Entry
FAQ
Pricing and Deadlines
Easy to follow PDF

Prizes

One First Place Winner will receive:

$1,000 in cash
An interview with the author in Writer’s Digest
Their poem published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s July/August 2025 issue and to a worldwide readership on WritersDigest.com
A 20-minute consultation with Senior Editor, Robert Brewer
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

The Second Place Winner will receive:

$250 in cash
Their name and poem’s title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s July/August 2025 issue
Promotion on WritersDigest.com
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

The Third Place Winner will receive:

$100 in cash
Their name and poem’s title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s July/August 2025 issue
Promotion on WritersDigest.com
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

Fourth through Tenth Place Winners will receive:

$100 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop
Their name and poem’s title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s July/August 2025 issue
Promotion on WritersDigest.com
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

Eleventh through Twenty-Fifth Place Winners will receive:

$50 off a purchase from the Writer’s Digest Shop
Promotion on WritersDigest.com
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

How to Enter

All entries must be submitted online through Submittable. If you already have a Submittable account, simply log in! There is no cap as to the number of submissions that can be entered into the competition overall, however each submission (including edited versions being re-submitted) must be checked out separately. Entries must be accompanied by the required judging fee We accept PayPal or credit card payment for the required judging fee. Fees are non-refundable.
All entries must be in English. Only original works that have not been published (at the time of submission) in print, digital or online publications will be considered. Self-published work in blogs, on social media, etc. will be considered.
Entries must be typed and formatted to 8-1/2 x 11 or A4 pages. Poems may be single or double-spaced. Your name, address, email and phone number should not appear on the entry file since that information is collected on the entry form.
BE SURE OF YOUR LINE COUNT! Entries exceeding the line limits will be disqualified. Type the exact line count (counting every single line, except the title and contact information) at the top of the manuscript.
Due to U.S. Government restrictions we are unable to accept entries from Syria, Iran, North Korea, or Crimea.
For more information visit our Preparing Your Entry Page or our FAQ page.

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Tara JohnsonAuthor