Poets & Patrons 52nd Annual

CHICAGOLAND POETRY CONTEST

Deadline: September 1, 2008

PRIZES:  $50.00, $25.00, $10.00 and three HMs in each category.

A ten dollar entry fee covers one poem submitted in any or all categories.

CONTEST CATEGORIES:

1. #1  RELIGIOUS POEM                              Ella Kracke Memorial
                                                                           Sponsor:  W. Clement Stone
2. #2  HUMOROUS OR LIGHT VERSE      Isabelle Gillespie Young Award
                                                                 Sponsor:  Beth Staas
3. #3  LYRIC POEM                                        Walter and Modena Vertreace Memorial
                                                                           Alice and Joseph Doody Memorial
                                                                           Co-Sponsors:  Martha Vertreace-Doody
                                                                           and Timothy Doody
4. #4  FORMAL VERSE                                 Virginia Nicholas/Wilma Burton Memorial                                                                       
                                                                           In Memory of Bernhard Hillila
                                                                           Sponsor:  Glenna Holloway
5. #5  FREE VERSE                                         In Memory of Benjamin M. Eaton, Sr.
                                                                            Sponsor:  Barbara Eaton
6. #6  POEM OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE    Sponsor:  Linda Wallin
7. #7  MINIATURE POEM                              Esther Kossoff/June Shipley Memorial                                                                                                                                                                         Sponsor:  Gert Rubin
8. #8  EXPERIMENTAL POEM                    Agnes Wathall Tatera Memorial
                                                                           In Memory of Robert Anderson                                                                                                                                                                                   Co-Sponsors:  Margarete Cantrall and Caroline Johnson
9. #9  THEME:  The City of Chicago              Sponsor:  Donna PuccianiNEW CATEGORY – open to any poet, member or non-member,                                                                         living anywhere

CONTEST RULES

Eligibility: The contest is open to any member or to any non-member living within 60 miles of Chicago except for category #9 which is open to  any member or non-member living anywhere.

                                    Poems must be unpublished.

• Poems may not be entered if they have won earlier cash awards from any category from Poets and Patrons.
• Enter one poem only in categories #1-#9.
• Do not enter the same poem in two categories.
• Line limit:  60 lines.  Miniature Poem: 12 lines.
• Format: Type or computer-generate on 8 ½ x 11 standard paper, using font size 11 or up.
• Use no unusual fonts or graphics.
• An entry consists of 2 copies of the poem.  In the upper right-hand corner of each copy, place number, category, form of poem (for Formal or Experimental), and the title of the poem.
• At the top left of one copy, place name and address of the poet.
• Do not staple pages together.  Exception:  should your poem necessitate a second page, staple these together and label them p. 1, p. 2.
• Assemble your entries by category number, then identified copy, then unidentified copy.
• Send all entries flat, in a single mailing, using first class mail, postmarked no later than September 1, 2008.
• Be sure to enclose your check for $10.00, made payable to Poets and Patrons, Inc.
• Note:  Non-members entering only Category #9 should enclose a check for $3.00.
• If you want a winners’ list, enclose SASE

Send entries, inquiries, and fees to:  Barbara Eaton, Contest Chair, 416 Gierz Street, Downers Grove, IL  60515.

Poems will not be returned.  Poets keep all rights.  Judges are out-of-state professionals, and their decisions are final.

Winners will be notified in early October, and awards will be presented at the annual Court of Awards in late October.  Detailed information will follow on website and in Poets and Patrons Newsletter.

Rules of contest, information about Awards Court, membership in Poets and Patrons will be available on our website:  www.poetsandpatrons.net