Poetry Contests
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All Contests
Two Line Poem
Write an essence poem. This is a poem of two lines with six syllables per line, each containing an internal rhyme and an ending rhyme. See the announcement for an example. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline
Free Verse Poetry Contest
Write a free verse poem. This is a method of writing poetry that does not follow any structure or style. See an example and details in the announcement. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline
Emotions Poetry Contest
Pick an emotion and write a poem of any type. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline
5-7-5 Poetry Contest
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline
Four Line Poem
Write a four line poem that has a specific syllable count. The first line has 1 syllable, the second line has 5 syllables, the third line has 5 syllables, and the last line 9 syllables. The subject can be anything. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline
15 Syllable Poem
For this contest you are to write a short poem. The poem should have exactly 15 syllables. You can structure it anyway you choose. But the total syllable count for the completed poem must have exactly 15 syllables total. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline May 23rd
Faith Poetry Contest
The theme for this poetry contest is "faith". We are looking for poems that in some way pertain to this theme. It doesn't matter if it's spiritual, political, intellectual or emotional as long as faith is clearly represented. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jun 11th
Tanka Poetry Contest
For this contest you are challenged to write a Tanka poem. Tanka is a five line poem that follows a specific syllable count. See the announcement for an example. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jun 18th
3 Line Poetry Contest
Write a poem that has three lines and a syllable count of either 5-7-5 or 5-7-7. The poem must address a loved one. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jun 24th
5 Line Poem
Write a five-lined poem that has a specific syllable count to enter this contest. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jun 30th
Temptation Poetry Contest
Write a poem of any style or length that deals with any aspect of the topic temptation. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jul 5th
Poem For A Child
Can you write a poem that brings a smile to a child? Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jul 12th
Love Poem Poetry Contest
Write a love poem. Your love poem can be fictional or non-fictional. It can be a humorous or a serious love poem. The choice is yours. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jul 18th
ABC Poetry Contest
For this contest you are challenged to write an ABC poem. ABC poetry has five lines and often is used to express feelings. See the announcement for an example. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jul 25th
6 Word Poetry
Write a poem with only 6 words. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jul 29th
Cinquain Poetry
A cinquain poem is a five line poem that follows a specific format. Read the announcement for a sample poem. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Aug 5th
Rhyming Poetry Contest
Write a poem of any type that has a rhyme. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Aug 12th
No Rules Poetry Contest
No rules! Write any type of poem from rhyming to free form. You decide how to write your poem. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Aug 17th
One Line Poem
Write a monostich poem which is a poem that is only one line. The winner takes away a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Aug 24th
3 Line Poetry Contest
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Aug 30th
Haiku
Can you write a poem with only three lines? Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Sep 5th
Loop Poetry Contest
A fun poetry type that requires you to use the last word of each sentence as the starting word of the next sentence. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Sep 7th
Rhyming Poem
Write a poem of any type that has a rhyme scheme. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Sep 12th
8 Words or Less Poem
Write a poem with eight words or less. Your poem must be concise and have impact. Can you do it? Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Sep 18th
Haiku Poetry Contest
Write a 5-7-5 poem for this contest for new members to the site. A 5-7-5 poem is a three line poem. The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven. The third line has five again. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Sep 25th
Betrayal Poetry Contest
Write a poem in any form or style with betrayal as the central theme. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Oct 1st
What Is Love Poetry
Write a free verse poem about love. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Oct 7th
Free Verse Poem
Write a free verse poem. This is a method of writing poetry that does not follow any structure or style. See an example and details in the announcement. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Oct 13th
My Faith Poetry
Share a poem that is about your faith or how faith has impacted your life. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Oct 19th
Haiku Poetry Contest
For this contest you are challenged to write a Haiku poem. Haiku is a form of poetry that only uses three lines. Can you paint a mental image using only three lines? Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Oct 31st
Share A Photo Poetry
Share a picture of something or someone that you love. Or perhaps a photo of something that you found on a trip or a hike. Write a poem about it. Post the photo along with the poem. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Nov 6th
20 Syllable Poem
Write a poem that has exactly 20 syllables. Any format. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Nov 10th
3-6-9 Poem
This poem has three stanzas. Each stanza has three lines that follows the 3-6-9 syllable count. The first line has 3 syllables, the second line has 6 syllables and the last line 9 syllables. The subject can be anything. The winner takes away a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Nov 15th
5-7-5 Poetry Contest
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should only have three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Nov 21st
Nonet Poetry Contest
Write a nine line poem for this poetry contest. The first line of your poem will have nine syllables. The second line has eight syllables and the third line has seven. This continues until your final line which has one syllable. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Nov 26th
Share A Story In A Poem
In this contest you are challenged to write a poem that tells a story and also rhymes. We've included examples of this type of poetry storytelling in the announcement. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Dec 3rd
2-4-2 Poetry
Write a 2-4-2 syllable poem. It has three lines. The first line has 2 syllables, the second line has 4 syllables and the last line 2 syllables. The subject can be anything. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Dec 11th
Free Form Poetry Contest
Write a free verse poem. This is a method of writing poetry that does not follow any structure or style. See an example and details in the announcement. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Dec 18th
5-7-5 Poetry Contest
For this contest you are to write a short poem. It should have only three lines. But the structure is that of a Haiku. The first line has 5 syllables. The second line has 7 syllables. The third line has 5 syllables again. Write about anything. The winner takes away a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Dec 31st
Acrostic Poetry Contest
Write an acrostic poem. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word. View an example in the announcement. This contest has a cash prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jan 9th
Sonnet Poetry Contest
Just like Shakespeare did, discover the rhythm and rhyme scheme of the Shakespearean sonnet. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jan 14th
Lune Poetry Contest
A Lune poem is a short and fun poetry form with only three lines. View the contest announcement for an example. Cash Prize.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jan 23rd
Minute Poetry Contest
Write a Minute poem for this contest. A fun poem to write. It follows the "8,4,4,4" syllable count structure. Cash prize to the winner.Cash Prize Open To All   
Deadline Jan 29th
Not all contests have cash prizes. You can also enter contests for fun. These contests below have a member dollar prize pool. You can use the winnings from these contests to get more feedback for your writing.
Contests With Today As A Deadline
Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum
This is a topic based contest. Write a story based on the topic provided in the the announcement.14 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Fabulism
Write a story of no less than 2000 words demonstrating the use of Fabulism.12 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Write a Poetic Rant
Get it off your chest. Write a rhyming poetic rant in 100 words or more.8 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Spring Tanka
For this contest you are challenged to write a Tanka poem. Tanka is a five line poem that follows a specific syllable count. It must be a nature poem focusing on the season of Spring.12 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Roundabout: Round 2
A flash fiction with limits, spring boarding from Round One18 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
The Study
Write a story about a scientific research study, in which an experimental drug is tested on paid participants. Any genre. 500-5000 words.9 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
NatPoetryMonth Contest
Write a poem a day. If you get behind, catch up by April 30. I gave you a couple of days extra.12 Spots Left 30 Days No Win   
Deadline
Traditional NaPoWriMo
Your book of poetry must have 30 poems to qualify. Please review and encourage your fellow poets in this endeavor and please vote at the end of the month. 30 poems in 30 days. A prologue is encouraged9 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Creepy Tale
Your character finds a creepy person or thing in a creepy place.16 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
It Can't Be...or Can it?
Your main character sees something or someone that he or she knows cannot be real... But it is. What happens next?16 Spots Left Open To All   
Deadline
Entering Writing and Poetry Contests
This listing of writing and poetry contests will be updated daily. To enter a contest simply click the button provided when you view the contest announcement. If you are not ready to enter right away you can make a reservation which will save you a spot in a contest. A reservation will also make the contest easy to find when you are ready to enter .All contests can be entered until the deadline is reached. Give yourself time to enter. And if possible enter at least a few days in advance as you will receive feedback shortly after you enter your contest entry. This feedback can be used to improve your work. You can edit your contest entry at anytime. So your feedback can be used to improve your writing even after you enter the contest. The judges won't read your contest submission until after the deadline has passed.
We recommending reading the contest announcement carefully as there may be requirements in the contest. For example, you may be required to count syllables or use certain words.