A Poetry Contest: WCDR 2008 Poetry Chapbook Challenge!

I would have posted this earlier, but I wasn’t aware it was open to everyone everywhere. I thought it was only for WCDR members. Sorry. Here is the announcement:

The WCDR 2008 Poetry Chapbook Challenge
(Sponsored by The Writer’s Circle of Durham Region in honour of Dan Sullivan)

Three poets will each be awarded a $100.00 prize to celebrate the quality and artistic merit of poetry published in the chapbook format in the preceding year.

Conditions of Entry:
Each poet may enter one poetry chapbook that has been published between January 1st, 2007 and May 30th 2008, along with an entry fee of $10.00. (Please make Cheques or money orders payable to The Writer’s Circle of Durham Region.)

Three qualified Writer’s Circle of Durham Region members will judge entries with particular emphasis on the following :

• quality of poetic craft
• consistency of style
• emotional resonance
• topicality
• visual aesthetics

Chapbook definition:

- Maximum length of each poetry chapbook is 48 pages. (There is no minimum length)

- All poetry in each chapbook must be original and the sole property of the submitting poet.

- Small press published books are permitted as long as the poet owns copyright to all poetry.

- Chapbooks must have been published for the purposes of sale. (minimum print run of 20)

- Chapbooks must be in English, or if in another language, include the English translation as part of the publication.

Timing:

Contest opens March 1st, 2008. Closes May 30th, 2008. All entries must be postmarked no later than midnight May 30th, 2008.
The names of the 15 finalists will be posted on the WCDR website, www.wcdr.org on the Tuesday after Labour Day, 2008.

Winners will be notified by email and or/phone. Contestants should provide a separate sheet with their chapbooks containing their complete contact information.

Awards will be given out at the September 13th WCDR breakfast meeting. Each winning poet will be asked to perform a short reading if available to accept the award in person on that date.

Other Conditions:
By entering this contest, poets agree to allow at least two of the poems from winning chapbooks (as arranged with the judges at the conclusion of the contest) to be posted on the www.wcdr.org website for a maximum period of one year. Copyright of all poems will always be retained by the poet.

The WCDR will not sell any chapbooks on behalf of entrants, including the three finalists.

Chapbooks entered will not be returned, but will be retained in the WCDR library for the reading enjoyment of its members.

Chapbooks, entry fees and contact information sheet must be mailed together to:

The Writers’ Circle of Durham Region
Bayly Postal Outlet
P.O. Box 14558
75 Bayly Street West
Ajax, ON L1S 7K7
905-686-0211

Web Link: WCDR 2008 POETRY CHAPBOOK CHALLENGE

If you happen to enter, I wish you the best of luck!