Tips on How to Submit for Poetry Competitions

Poetry competitions are not all alike. The guidelines vary between each competition. Poetry tells a story. Do you write poetry in your spare time? A poetry competition may be something to check out. Don't know where to begin? The context of this article is to advise on submitting poetry into competitions. What are some tips?

Tip #1: As a writer it is best to check out previous entries. This step will guide you in the right direction. You will know exactly what the judges are looking for in poetry. It'll give your poem the opportunity to stand out from the other poets and their poems.

Tip #2: Spelling and grammar is often over looked in poetry. This mistake is common among writers. Commonly as it may be, it may cost you the grand prize or even consideration. When submitting poetry or any other form of writing, be sure to double check your work.

Tip #3: Some competitions are scams. To avoid being scammed, use your better judgment. If it is to good to be true, more often than none, it is a scam. Always be careful.

Tip #4: Every competition has their own set of rules. You as the writer need to familiarize yourself with their rules. If you cannot follow the rules of the competition you are no longer in the contest. Be sure to know the rules and to follow them.

Tip #5: All competitions have a deadline. If you can't meet the deadline, then do not enter the contest. The failure to meet the deadline is not able to bring attention to your poem and your talents as a writer. Be sure you can meet the deadline.

Tip #6: Plagarism is a big no-no in competition. Do not get caught with this bad habit. You will be disqualified from the competition. Plagarism will not get you any where in this life.

Tip #7: As a poet you need to grab the attention of the judges. This step is very important to remember. The more creativity in the poem, the more you will be able to catch the attention of any judge. The more attention you have, the more your poem will advance in the contest.

Tip #8: Whether you have won or not, you can learn from the results of the contest. The results teaches you how to become a writer and not to make the same mistakes twice. Don't take the results to heart, just simply learn from them to better yourself.

Tip #9: Send in more than one poem. This increases your chances of winning the contest and to be published. Some competitions allow more than one poem to be submitted into the contest. Be sure to read the guidelines and see if more than one poem can be entered.

Tip #10: There are free competitions to enter. An entry fee isn't always necessary. Every competition is different. Before choosing a contest, check to see if an entry fee is required or not.

These are ten common tips on how to submit poetry into a competition. There are so many to choose from. Don't be shy, enter as many as you wish.

Poetry.com is a great place to begin your journey. There are no entry fees. I have not personally won any of their contests. But I have had a poem or two published with them. Be sure to give them a try. You will never know what will happen till you put yourself out there.