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Hey I've been writing poetry for ages as a hobby of mine, & I'm looking for some poetry contests to enter to try to win a prize or get my works published. I know of a lot of contests like poetry.com that are just trying to sell you books, but does anyone know of some LEGITIMATE contests? Thanx =)

By Sac (Sac) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 08:25 pm: Edit

Pick up a copy of a magazine called Poets and Writers. They have a list of contests. Also, in the back of the magazine, they'll have some ads for contests. If you google for poetry contests, there is a site whose name I can't remember but which lists some specifically for high school students, if that's what you are.
You don't have to enter contests (which charge reading fees) to get published, by the way. Buy or leaf through a book called Writer's Market for poets. It also will tell you how to send them out, what to write in a cover letter, etc. Look for the magazines that are open for beginning poets, especially. If the magazine has a website, or if you can buy an issue, try to get some sense of whether the magazine's style is similar to what you do. Then send out your stuff in batches. It takes a lot of perserverance and a stomach for rejection. I have poems I've sent out to 10 places before they've been accepted. Good luck.