Poetry Contest

The Annual Student Poetry Contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 3-12, regardless of experience or previous publication, except where prohibited. Each entrant may submit one poem of no more than 20 lines on any subject, and in any style except concrete (shape poems) or black out poems (marker covering another author's text to create a poem) provided that the content of the poem is not vulgar or offensive, does not employ profanity, and is the original, individual work of the entrant. All submissions become the property of The America Library of Poetry and will be considered for publication in a forthcoming anthology and may appear on the host website.

Students who are 12 years of age or younger must have parent permission to enter this contest, according to COPPA guidelines (see our policy here).

Poems are judged based on originality, creativity, and artistic quality. Poems not meeting the requirements for line limitation are automatically disqualified. Poems containing profanity, vulgarity or offensive material are automatically disqualified.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are selected in each of four divisions (Division 1 - Grades 3-5, Division 2 - Grades 6-7, Division 3 - Grades 8-9, and Division 4 - Grades 10-12). Each winner will receive a cash prize and Certificate of Achievement. The writer who places first overall receives the Editor's Choice Award, and a $500.00 cash Grand Prize.

Prizes are also awarded by random drawing, based on participation and not artistic ability, to encourage all students to pursue literary endeavors. These awards consist of a new Laptop Computer, Netbook, Tablet, or iPod Touch, a "School's Out" Shopping Spree, one of ten Gift Cards.

The author retains all copyrights to the submitted poem. Winning poems will appear on the host website with the copyright notice intact and may be published in a forthcoming anthology. By entering the contest, consent to the publication of poetry is granted if selected as a winning entry.