Contest Questions & Answers
Contest Questions & Answers
We've these frequently asked questions and answers to help you understand how the Connecticut Poetry Society contests work from start to finish.
How do I submit my poems?
We accept submissions via Submittable. You may submit up to three poems in the same PDF file. That file counts as one contest entry.
What does “submit only your best work” mean?
With regard to your entry, that phrase means that you should submit only the poems you deem to be your best. And, you should take the time to be sure your document is formatted appropriately, with proper grammar and no typos. A judge may skip over your entry if there are formatting issues.
I don’t have a Submittable account. Can I still enter a contest?
No. For the integrity of each contest, and the simplest process for readers and/or judges, your entry must be sent in via Submittable.
Does the Connecticut Poetry Society ever waive submission fees?
Members who are Connecticut residents may submit to the Nutmeg Poetry Contest for free. No other submission fees will be waived.
Can I submit under a pseudonym?
Yes. You can submit using a pen name. Just make sure that we have your most active email address and/or phone number to reach you.
Can I submit more than one packet to any contest?
Yes. If you follow all the guidelines and are willing to pay an additional entry fee, you may submit more than once.
Can I submit a poem that won a contest with another organization?
Yes, if that poem has not previously been published.
Can I submit the same poem to more than one Connecticut Poetry Society contest?
Yes, if your poem wasn’t selected as a winner in one CPS contest and subsequently wasn’t published or slated to appear in the Connecticut River Review.
Can I submit to other Connecticut Poetry Society contests the same year, or the year after, if one of my poems was chosen as a winner?
No. Winning poets cannot submit to any other CPS contest in the same year, or in the year after.
Should I name my file in a particular way?
No. There are no guidelines for how you name your file, EXCEPT that your file not include any information that personally identifies you.
How do you know a file is mine if I dont put my name on it?
Your poem packet stays with your entry in Submittable. The judges and readers work with your file in the system without seeing your name. When judges decide on winners, they notify the contest coordinator with your entry number and poem title. The contest coordinator can see your personal details in your submission and retrieve the winning poem.
How many poems may I enter, and how should they appear in my file?
You may submit up to three poems in your contest packet, and poems may not be longer than 80 lines each. (Line limits include every line, both printed and blank, but exclude your title and its following line.) Each poem must start on a different page, and each poem must have a title. Be sure to check the contest page on the CPS website for any variation in the general guidelines.
If I submit more than one poem in a packet, do I need to withdraw my entire entry if a poem is accepted somewhere else?
No. When one poem in your packet needs to be withdrawn, simply email the contest coordinator with your entry number and your poem title that is being removed from consideration. If all the poems win or are accepted elsewhere, then you should withdraw your entry.
Is there any work that will not be eligible for prizes or publication?
Yes. The CPS will not give prizes for, nor publish work, that perpetuates derogatory stereotypes, nor will it accept work that is obscene, prurient or sexually graphic, hate-mongering, or abusive of any social, racial, ethnic, religious, or gender group. This work will be disqualified.
Will I be disqualified if my personal information is included in my poetry packet for a contest?
Yes. The guidelines for each contest specifically request that you do not include personal identifiable information within the packet. Your personal details, hidden from the judge, are recorded by Submittable. If any such details are in your packet, your submission will be disqualified.
When else are submissions disqualified?
Yes. If they are found to be plagiarized, generated by AI, submitted by a previous year’s winner, published elsewhere, or in the case of the Nutmeg Poetry Contest only, submitted via the member form by a non-member.
What is the process for announcing winners?
When the judging is complete, the contest chair reaches out to the winners to confirm acceptance. We then write a press release in collaboration with the winners, and put together a packet of the winning poems and the judge’s comments. We send that to Connecticut media electronically, and up to five specific outlets upon the request of each winner. The winners need to provide the contest chair with the necessary contact information for the requested outlets. This process is usually completed within two weeks.
How long does it take for the judge(s) to decide about winners?
That depends on several factors, such as the number of entries, the number of readers working with the judge, and the process put in place to review larger numbers of entries. We generally can announce winners within four to eight weeks of the end of a contest.
What rights am I yielding if my work is selected for a prize?
Poets give CPS exclusive first digital and printing rights to all prize-winning poems in our contests. Rights revert to the poet after posting and/or publication.
How are the contest prizes awarded?
Once a judge decides, the contest coordinator reaches out to the winners to confirm acceptance and address. That information is sent to the treasurer, who sends a check typically within two weeks.
Can I donate my prize to an organization or charity?
Yes. What you do with your prize money is up to you. Once you receive it, if you wish to donate it somewhere else, you may.
What if I want to donate my prize back to the Connecticut Poetry Society?
In this case, you may. We will send you a letter acknowledging your donation.
Can I decline my prize?
Yes. However, if you decline the prize, you will not be published in the Connecticut River Review and you will not be able to say you were a Connecticut Poetry Society contest winner.
Is honorable mention status awarded in all contests?
Judges have the opportunity to recognize good work with honorable mention status if they so choose. Depending on the number of contest entries, we recommend two to five, but it is the discretion of the judges.
Can poems recognized as honorable mention be submitted to another contest in the same year?
No. The poets receive a certificate of recognition and are published on the CPS website.
Are honorable mention poems published in the Connecticut River Review or on the Connecticut Poetry Society website?
We publish honorable mention selections on the website only.
Can you help me if I have trouble submitting?
The contest coordinator can assist if a specific field does not appear on a contst form. For instance, if there is no field for you to upload your file, you should reach out via email to contests.ctpoetry@gmail.com.
How do I address an issue if the form doesn't appar to be working properly?
Since Submittable is an online product, if there is any issue with the submission form other than a missing field, you shoud reach out to the Submittable support team via its online form. These issues, for example, may include the states no showing up in a drop-down menu or the payment process not allowing you to submit your reading fee. You can also visit the Submittable site for submitters.