Monday, November 12, 2018

How To Find Top Poetry Contest Sites

By Stephen Burns


While poets do it for fun, honing your skills against those of others and making something out of it is not such a bad idea. There are numerous poetry contest sites you can explore. However, some of these websites will give you a raw deal and kill your writing career. You need a platform that allows you to thrive. How do you identify such a platform amidst the many that line the internet?

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 site with a reputation of holding genuine contests. Reputation is built over time. You might have to look at their previous contests and reviews by other poets who have engaged the organizers. A website with a reputation for treating poets well will also give you a memorable experience. If the reputation is nasty, there is no way you are going to have a good experience with them.

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.

The rules of entry and participation should be fair to all. This also means easy modes of submission, well publicized contests and sufficient time to make your submission. It means that everyone can participate. This increases competition and gives you a perfect feel of the market. It is easier to make submissions online since you can do it anytime and from anywhere.

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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