How To Find The Best Poetry Contest Sites

By Stephen Burns


Most poets begin their writing journey for fun. However, time presents opportunities to make money as well as sharpen your skills against those of other poets. There are poetry contest sites that will offer prizes for the pieces that you have little regard for. However, do not enter any site just because it has declared a competition. Here is a guide to the best websites that will help you get value for your pieces.

Enter contests that are run professionally and by credible organizers. Some of the professionals who can handle poems include seasoned poets, departments of literature and institutions that support art. Individuals also organize competitions but they do so with the backing of interested institutions. When the organizers are credible, you are assured of fairness. Your participation will also not be in vain, whether you win or lose.

The reputation of the website you enter is an issue of concern. It takes time to build a reputation. It means that such organizers must have been in the industry for a while. The competition must also be running for a while. Check reviews or interact with participants who have entered the previous editions. Do not waste time and resources on competitions whose outcomes are predetermined.

What level of exposure will you be getting by entering the contest? The best organizers will engage you after shortlisting and beyond winning. The manner of engagement includes holding seminars and displaying your pieces during exhibitions or readings. Such exposure means that you take home more than the prize. Even when you do not win, your writing skills will improve.

The reward given should meet a decent threshold. Some give rewards in form of money. The rewards given to others comes in the form of publishing deals, participation in exhibitions and meeting prominent poets, among other options. The reward given must be worth the effort you make to complete the piece. It must also not be below the money you register with, just in case you have been asked to register.

Publicizing winners and the criterion for choosing such winners must form part of the deal. The rules should be known so that people can have confidence in the selection process. Further, everyone should be given an opportunity to participate. This calls for such categories as amateurs, intermediate and pro writers. You also accommodate more people by having categories based on themes, age, education standards and such other factors. This gives all participants a fair chance.

Participation in the contest must be simplified. Some of the methods to be adopted include online submissions, publicizing of the contest and provision of ample time to participate. This attracts diverse talents, making the competition stiff enough to produce the best winner.

Beyond the contest, proceeds coming from submitted works must trickle down to participating poets. This includes sale of books and anthologies, exhibition fees and loyalties. The rights to the works must remain with the author. This means that you will enjoy any money arising from your pieces whenever and wherever they are used.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment