Wednesday, November 14, 2018

How To Find Poetry Contest Sites That Fit You

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.

Choose a contest that has a reputation of fairness and reasonable prizes. Organizers require time to grow a reputation. With a reputation, it means that they are not newcomers in the industry. Other poets have gained confidence in their work. Referrals from past winners and participants as well as reviews will help you choose between different contests. It helps you avoid contests whose winners 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.

Enter competitions whose reward is reasonable. Even when you write for fun, the effort made in entering a competition should pay. Most organizers will give rewards in form of money. This might go to only the top poets. Others whose works appeared top should be considered for exhibitions and publishing, among other consolation prizes. The rewards should exceed the much you registered with.

Organizers must ensure that winners are publicly known and genuine. This happens by publicizing entry and winning rules. The criterion to be used in choosing a winner should also be known. It helps to have different categories of entries to accommodate the classes of participants who might be interested. The classes can be divided into beginner poets, intermediate and experienced writers. They may also be separated by themes, age, academic level and such factors. This spreads out the prize money and gives more people the 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.




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