The Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) holds poetry contests for its annual poetry festival. This may include multiple individual contests, a special call for submissions, or some combination, at the discretion of the PST Board. Contests winners receive monetary prizes, and first place poems are published in PST's anthology, Tennessee Voices. In the case of calls for submissions, additional poems may be published. See publications page for information on past and forthcoming editions and how to purchase a copy.
CALL FOR FESTIVAL POETRY CONTEST SPONSORS
We invite individuals and organizations to sponsor poetry contests for our 67th Annual Poetry Festival. You do not need to be a member to sponsor a contest. Sponsors will be recognized on PSTs website and blog, through PST social media channels and in PSTs 2023-2024 edition of the anthology, Tennessee Voices. PST will remain open for festival contest sponsorship applications through the earlier of September 9, 2023, or meeting our contest limit.
What Does a Sponsor Do?
Sponsors create their own poetry contest! As a sponsor, you choose the theme or poetic form, note poem length, specify prize award amounts, and provide any other special instructions for entrants or judges. In many cases, sponsors also judge the contest, but that is not a requirement. While we encourage variety in poetic forms and themes, PST does not accept contests or poetry centered on explicitly violent or sexual themes.
What Does a Judge Do?
PST's festival poetry contests are judged blind. The Festival Poetry Contest Coordinator sends entries to the judge. In accordance with contest guidelines, the judge reviews contest entries, selects winners and provides a winners list to the festival contest coordinator. Judges will be recognized in Tennessee Voices.
How Many Contests Can I Sponsor?
To ensure as many people as possible can participate in sponsorships, individuals and organizations generally may sponsor one contest. However, PST will also accept memorial contest sponsorships, one per individual or group of individuals being honored.
How Do I Become a Sponsor or Judge?
You can complete a sponsor application online or by mail. (Please note: our monthly members-only contests are full, so please do not select that option when completing your application.)
If you are unable to judge your sponsored contest and need assistance to find a judge, or if you are unable to sponsor but wish to judge, contact us.
Questions?
Do you have questions? Reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com with subject line FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP.
CALL FOR FESTIVAL POETRY CONTEST SPONSORS
We invite individuals and organizations to sponsor poetry contests for our 67th Annual Poetry Festival. You do not need to be a member to sponsor a contest. Sponsors will be recognized on PSTs website and blog, through PST social media channels and in PSTs 2023-2024 edition of the anthology, Tennessee Voices. PST will remain open for festival contest sponsorship applications through the earlier of September 9, 2023, or meeting our contest limit.
What Does a Sponsor Do?
Sponsors create their own poetry contest! As a sponsor, you choose the theme or poetic form, note poem length, specify prize award amounts, and provide any other special instructions for entrants or judges. In many cases, sponsors also judge the contest, but that is not a requirement. While we encourage variety in poetic forms and themes, PST does not accept contests or poetry centered on explicitly violent or sexual themes.
What Does a Judge Do?
PST's festival poetry contests are judged blind. The Festival Poetry Contest Coordinator sends entries to the judge. In accordance with contest guidelines, the judge reviews contest entries, selects winners and provides a winners list to the festival contest coordinator. Judges will be recognized in Tennessee Voices.
How Many Contests Can I Sponsor?
To ensure as many people as possible can participate in sponsorships, individuals and organizations generally may sponsor one contest. However, PST will also accept memorial contest sponsorships, one per individual or group of individuals being honored.
How Do I Become a Sponsor or Judge?
You can complete a sponsor application online or by mail. (Please note: our monthly members-only contests are full, so please do not select that option when completing your application.)
If you are unable to judge your sponsored contest and need assistance to find a judge, or if you are unable to sponsor but wish to judge, contact us.
Questions?
Do you have questions? Reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com with subject line FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP.
66th ANNUAL FESTIVAL RESULTS
FESTIVAL CONTEST RULES
Stay tuned for details on contests and rules.
- Many thanks to all who submitted poetry to our 2022-2023 Call for Submissions and congratulations to poets whose work was published in Tennessee Voices, 2022-2023.
- "Best of the Best": During the 66th Annual Poetry Festival, held Apri 15, 2023, PST announced the top 3 poems from the Tennessee Voices, 2022-2023 Call for Submissions, selected by the PST review board and educator and poet Rick Hilles: Carson Colenbaugh ($150), for “At the Powerline, Picking Blackberries; Jake Lawson ($100) for “Sky Master;” and Rieppe Moore ($50) for “Lines on Snow."
FESTIVAL CONTEST RULES
Stay tuned for details on contests and rules.
MORE CONTESTS
The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) offers contests annually, including:
Get details on NFSPS and other state society contests.
The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) offers contests annually, including:
- Annual poetry contests
- Blackberry Peach: a contest for page and stage
- College Undergraduate Competition: chapbook competition
- Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest (for grades 6 through 12)
- Stevens Poetry Manuscript Competition
Get details on NFSPS and other state society contests.
