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Contest

It's been long enough since the last time I held a contest that I've forgotten how much they irritate me.

So...

The following will increase your chances of winning:

1. I prefer prewrites. If you haven't revised your poem at least once, chances are it still needs some work. Occasionally a poem will come out the way it should be the first time, but it doesn't happen often.

2. I prefer free verse. Unless you are incredible with rhyme (I'm thinking of Sexton) I'd prefer not to see it. If you're not sure if something is incredible, you should probably enter something else.

3. I prefer subject matter that challenges the norm. There are a hundred million poems written about heart ache, heart break, death of loved ones, hope, depression, etc. If you're writing about those things, that's totally fine, I just prefer to read something innovative on the subject.

4. I prefer people who enter to know the difference between a critique and a personal attack. I like to critique, but am very cautious about doing so on this website. If a person comments, "This line doesn't make sense to me because of this and this" and you are offended- this is not the right contest for you.

5. I prefer people who understand the basic concepts of grammar, even if you choose to not use it. Grammar to writing is like a fan brush to oil painting.


I reserve the right to the following:

1. Remove your poem from the contest at any time for any reason.

2. Comment or not comment, critique or not critique for any reason.

3. Close or extend the contest before or after the deadline.

About me as a judge:

I am honest. This is about the writing, not the writer. If I can't think of something constructive to say, I probably won't say anything.

I've been called every name under the sun during previous contests. I don't care what you think of me.

I'm not here to inspire you. That's not my job as a contest holder. If you can't find your own inspiration, you shouldn't be writing.

There are no rules.

My hope, is to read some good writing. I hope that's what you choose to enter.

****Contest has been closed two days early to avoid the onslaught of last minute entries****

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on March 19, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 300, Silver: 200, Bronze: 100
  • Final notes:
    The contest is over.
  • To judge this contest, you need to have at least as many finalists as you have rewards. You have 3 awards but only 2 finalists.

Contest Winners

  1. Yellowed
    You look like rain in shallow fissures of roads and other grey faces
    by Jal Pari 8 lines, 26 comments, on Feb 16 6:15 AM 2008. In Thoughts, Personal, Abstract
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  2. Error: Unable to find finalist item 4000443, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]

Entries [19]

1 - 19 of 19

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Comments


  • Immortal Obscurity gold member
    March 9, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Honest critiques? WOW!

    I got an earful from someone the other day... She asked for an honest critique, and I gave her one, but she couldn't deal with it. At that point, all you can do is kill them with kindness... Anyway, looking forward to it


  • jantastic gold member
    March 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I always liked your contests...