Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia

Call for Submissions - Poetry in Motion

Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 3:27pm

About

In partnership with the Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Public Libraries, the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) is bringing back another year of Poetry in Motion to the city of Halifax and beyond!

A public poetry art project, Poetry in Motion features short poems on transit ads in buses; on digital signs at libraries, ferry terminals, and recreation centres; and on social media posts. Poems will be by Nova Scotian residents 16 years of age or older. For its second year, Poetry in Motion will showcase poems that speak to the theme of journeys. This theme can be interpreted broadly, and may touch on journeys outward, journeys back home, the passage of time, or other forms of travel, transportation, and exploration.

(Please see information on last year's project here and take a look at the 10 selected poems.)

Submissions

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) will be reviewing submissions for Poetry in Motion. Poems eligible for Poetry in Motion must be written by residents of Nova Scotia 16 years of age or older. Poems must be original, personal creations. Unpublished and previously published work will be considered, but authors must obtain permission to use poems that have previously appeared in book form.

Other criteria for submissions:

• 10 lines or fewer, including stanza breaks (poets are welcome to submit excerpts of longer poems if they believe the excerpts can stand on their own);

• suitable for a general audience of all ages;

• only one poem per submission.

Poets whose poems are selected for this project will be paid a $200 honorarium, and will be invited to read their poem in person at the Poetry in Motion celebration event.

There is no fee for entry.

Submission Process

Please send your poem in the body of an email (not an attachment) to programs@writers.ns.ca. The subject line should read “Submission: Poetry in Motion”. Please include complete contact information (email, telephone number, and mailing address) as well as a brief author bio. Poets who feel comfortable disclosing their racial background, gender identity, and/or sexuality are encouraged to do so.

The final selection of poems for Poetry in Motion will be decided by a jury.

The deadline for submissions is 12 midnight, May 31, 2020.

The Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia is grateful for the support of Arts Nova Scotia in making this project possible.