About the Woody Barlow Poetry Contest

In Mark Twain’s short story, Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven, Captain Stormfield arrives in Heaven and spends like 10 million years looking for the gate where they let in white people. After he arrives, he finds out that they are having a big parade for an old blacksmith from TN. It turns out, the blacksmith is God’s favorite poet, a guy no one has ever heard of, dies and goes to heaven, and they have this giant parade for the man. He’s totally bewildered and has this deer-in-the-headlights look. I saw a similar look on Woody's face when someone praised him for his talents, whether it was his poetry or his ability to replace a rotted banister or weathered door or answer a call to a fire in mid-winter. It was just one of Woody’s many endearing characteristics, what I like to call heroic qualities. An ordinary man sharing his extraordinary poetry. He was selfless in his actions, always looking to help others and share his gifts without asking for anything in return.

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eMerge seeks writing that is audacious, substantial, insightful, and unique. There is no preference for genre or style, we just ask that you proofread and polish before you send.

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow hosts a community of writers from all backgrounds and genres. Anyone who has stayed at Dairy Hollow knows that the communal dinnertime conversations are rich with incredible stories of life and learning, a sense of awe (and humor) at the world, and joy in the sharing. In as much as it is possible, we'd love for eMerge to reflect the diversity and depth of those conversations.

The submission period for eMerge's Woody Barlow Poetry Contest is from June 1 - August 1. Literary and artistic submissions submitted during this time will be considered for publication the following year.

 

Guidelines: 

1. All entries must be original unpublished works.

2. Poems must be in English. Poems may be in another language if accompanied by an English translation.

3. There will be a $15.00 entry fee for each packet of poems submitted.

4. Packet should include no more than 3 poems. All 3 poems should be submitted in the same document.

5. Poems should be no more than 30 lines.

6. All entries should be in Times New Roman 12 pt font.

7. All submissions will be eligible for publication in eMerge.

 

Prize: 

1. The top five poems will receive $100 each. There will be no First, Second Third, etc., places.

2. Winning poems will be published in eMerge and in the ECHO Anthology. 

3. Poetry winners will be considered for Pushcart Nominations each year.

PAY APPLICATION FEE AT STRIPE NOW

 

This is on an honor system at the moment due to some Jotform/Paypal bugs in the past.