Writing Contest & Opportunities

“Poetry lays the foundations for a future of change," wrote Audre Lorde. From the lines of Langston Hughes ushering in the Harlem Renaissance, to women in modern-day Afghanistan secretly sharing their poems over social media, to spoken word artists calling for change in our streets and schools, poetry has long celebrated the rhythms of language and the right of self-expression. This month, sow your own seeds of change, conjuring poetry into stanzas, meter, or free verse; or with an original piece of spoken word (poetry performed aloud). We’ll award two top prizes—one for a written poem, and one for a recorded performance.

Competition Opens: 4/6/20

Submit for Expert Review: 4/13/20

Final Entries Due: 4/21/20

If your student(s) want(s) to submit a poem to this year’s Peace Poetry Contest, the deadline for submissions is April 12, 2020. Poems can be submitted via email to vfppeacepoetrycontest@gmail.com or via mail to:

VFP Peace Poetry Contest

2115 NW 7th Lane

Gainesville, FL 32603

Submissions must include the poet’s name, grade level and school, and two preferred methods of contact for the parent/guardian and/or teacher (e-mail, phone number and/or mailing address). We need this information in order to efficiently and reliably notify the winners. Teachers can serve as direct contact for the winning student, helping us to notify the parents, but this is not required. All students will be notified of the results, even if their poem does not place.

For more information, please email vfppeacepoetrycontest@gmail.com or call Sheila Payne at 831-334-0117