70th Poets & Patrons Poetry Contest

CONTEST DETAILS

Submission period: July 15 – August 31, 2026 
Entries must be received by midnight CDT on 8/31 

The Poets & Patrons Poetry Contest is open to members of Poets & Patrons and non-members — although members receive a discount on entry fees, and non-members may become a member prior to submitting poems to receive the member rate.

To become a member and receive the member discount on entry fees — go to the Poets & Patrons Membership page ➔ 
The cost of membership to Poets & Patrons is $20 for one year. 2026 Membership ends 12/31/2026. 

Prizes

First prize — $50. 
Second prize — $30. 
Third prize — $20.  
plus three Honorable Mentions in each category. 

Entry Fees:

• $12 for members, $15 for non-members
• The fee covers one poem per category — and the fee is the same to enter one category or all 10 categories.

To enter more than one poem in a category, there is an additional fee:

• $1 per poem for Poets & Patrons member 
• $3 per poem if you are not a member 

Notes:

• Limit of 3 poems per category.
• You may NOT enter the same poem in more than one category. 
• Poets cannot be awarded or recognized more than once in any category. 

 

Contest Categories

1. Formal Verse
2. Free Verse 
3. Humorous   
4. Miniature (12-line limit) 
5. Social Justice/Social Conscience 
6. Nature 
7. Home
8. Road Trip
9. Shoes
10. Coffee

Contest Rules

• Poems must not have been published elsewhere or under consideration for publication elsewhere.
• Poems must not have been be posted online 
• Poems must not have been created using any artificial intelligence technology.
• Poems must not have won previous cash awards from Poets & Patrons.
• You may not enter the same poem in more than one category. 
• Poems must be in English. 
• Limit of 3 poems per category.

 

Line Limits and Preparing Poems for Submission

• All poems (except Miniature poems) 60 lines (counting epigraph, section numbers, and blank lines between stanzas, if any).
• Miniature poem: 12 lines (including spaces between lines).
• Poems that exceed the line limits will not be considered.
• Save each poem as a Word document or a PDF with the category description and poem title as the document name (for example: Humorouus-Johnny Carson).
• Do not put your name or any other identification on each poem.

 

Submission Guidelines

Email/Online submissions only; no paper or email entries accepted. Submit 7/15 –  8/31. 

Click to view/download complete submission guidelines & rules PDF→

 

For Winning Poems – Rights, Prizes and Recognition

• Winning poets retain all rights. 
• Winning poems will not be published.
• A list of winners’ names and their poem titles will be posted at the Poets & Patrons website after all winners have been notified.
• Winning poems receiving cash prizes may receive their payment by check, Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.
• Online Contest Reading — All winning poets will be invited to participate in an online reading in the Fall. 

   

Notes About Judging

• All judging is done anonymously.
• No judges are affiliated with Poets & Patrons.
• The decisions of judges are final.

 

 

 

SUBMISSION FORM: all fields are required

BASIC CONTEST ENTRY FEE & FEES TO ENTER MORE THAN ONE POEM IN EACH CATEGORY

First choose a Basic Contest Entry Fee.
Basic Entry fees cover one poem per category.
This basic fee will be the same whether you enter in just one or in all categories.

To submit up to TWO additional poems per category there is an additional fee of $1 per additonal poem for members or $3 per addtional porm for non-members.

 

CONTEST ENTRY SUBMISSION

For each poem entry uploaded:

• Each poem submitted must be either a Word or a PDF file
• Name the Word document or PDF with the category then the title of the poem
  (for example: “Humorous-Spring’s Traitor” or “Coffee-Sweet Fuel”)
• Within the document: Note the category in upper right corner of the page
• Do Not put your name or any identification on documents with poems. 
  

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

Please submit your Word or PDF file entries below in category upload boxes.