Poetry Contest

the word poetry spelled out in wooden blocks

Submissions are open March 25 – April 14, 2024

April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, we’re doing a Poetry Contest!

We encourage Adults age 18+ and Teens in grades 6-12 to submit an original poem by Sunday, April 14th, at 8 p.m. The top three poems will be awarded prizes and will be featured on our website once poems have been selected and winners have been notified.

Poetry Contest Rules:

  • Poems can only be submitted online using the form below. No poems will be accepted in person, in any format, at any library branch.
  • Poems must be the original, previously unpublished work of the submitter.
  • Length of poems cannot exceed 40 lines.
  • Poems must be suitable for a general audience, e.g. no profanity, vulgarity, etc.
  • There is a limit of 2 poems per entrant, up to 40 lines each. Please use a separate form for each entry.
  • Contest is open to current Mesa County Libraries cardholders Grades 6-12 or Adults 18+.
  • Deadline for entries is Sunday, April 14th, at 8 p.m.
  • PLEASE NOTE: by submitting a poem, you agree to let Mesa County Libraries use your poem on our website. The copyright is retained by the author.
  • Poems will be judged on originality, creativity, grammar, artistic quality and adherence to the length limit of 40 lines. The decision of the judge is final.
  • Names will be taken off each submission when judging to ensure impartiality.
  • Staff of Mesa County Libraries are not eligible for entry.
  • Prizes: the top three poets in each category (Teen/Adult) will receive a $100 (1st place), $75 (second place) or $50 (third place) gift card to Downtown Grand Junction.

Judges:

  • The Teen contest will be judged by Noel Kalenian, Librarian and published poet.
  • The Adult contest will be judged by Dr. Randy Phillis, professor of English at CMU, and author of the poetry collections: A Man Explains His Posture; Kismet, Colorado; and Plots We Can’t Keep Up With.

Please email ctaylor@mcpld.org with any questions.