ALL ARTS MATTER & Greene County Library Association 12th Annual Rip Van Winkle Poetry Competition
Manuscripts of original poetry, in English, are eligible if they neither have been published nor are committed to be published. The contest is divided into two age categories; contestants 14 years or younger should indicate with a check mark in the appropriate box on the entry form. Three winning poets in each category will receive cash prizes. In the 14 and younger category, the cash awards will be $25, $15, and $10 respectively. In the adult category, the cash awards will be $100, $75, and $50 respectively. The winning poems will be posted on the All Arts Matter website. In addition, a public reading of the winning works and selected others will be held at a time and date to be determined.
The Rip Van Winkle Poetry Competition was established to encourage emerging poets, to give credence to their efforts and foster their growth as poets.
Guidelines for Submission
The Rip Van Winkle Award is given to encourage emerging poets, and to give credence to their work. Contestants must be living citizens who neither have published, nor are committed to publish the manuscript(s) submitted. The contest has two age categories. Contestants 14 years or younger should check where indicated on the entry form.
Submitted manuscripts must be of original poetry, in English, by one poet. There are no limitations on the kind of poetry or subject matter. Translations are not eligible. Contestants should send only one copy of each manuscript. Manuscripts must be between one and two pages, typed single or doublespaced with no more than one poem per page. Illustrations are not accepted.
Two title pages and two copies of the manuscript must be submitted. One title page should include the author’s name and address; the other should bear the manuscript title only. The author’s name must not appear on any other page. If manuscript is more than a single page, it should be fastened with a single staple or binder clip; report covers should not be used.
A completed entry form must accompany each manuscript. Contestants who submit more than one manuscript must include an entry form with each submission. No more than two manuscripts by one poet may be submitted. Late manuscripts will not be accepted. Contestants are advised to retain copies of their work, as manuscripts will not be returned. All Arts Matter (AAM) assumes no responsibility for manuscript loss.
Contestants who wish an acknowledgment of receipt of their manuscript should enclose a self addressed, stamped postcard. In addition, a selfaddressed stamped business size envelope must be enclosed in order to receive notification of contest results.
The judge’s decision is expected by April 4, 2010.. Each category will have three winners. In the 14 and younger category, the cash awards will be $25, $15, and $10 respectively. In the adult category, the cash awards will be $100, $75, and $25 respectively.
The winning poems will be posted on the AAM website and a public reading of the winning poems and others selected by AAM shall be given at a date and venue to be determined in April, National Poetry Month. It is hoped that the winning poet(s) will be present to read their work; if not, AAM will provide an alternate reader.
AAM cannot consider revisions during the course of the contest.
All correspondence concerning the contest should be addressed to AAM. The decisions of AAM as to eligibility are final. AAM reserves the right to withhold the Rip Van Winkle Award in any given year.
MAIL ENTRY BY MARCH 31, 2011
ALL ARTS MATTER
P.O. Box 513
Greenville, New York 12083
Application form here.
