Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
The brief: Write a poem up to 80 lines
Open to: students enrolled in Australian education facilities.
Cost: Schools entry fee: Online – $25 for up to 30 entries; $50 for unlimted entries; By post – $35 for up to 30 entries; $60 for unlimited entries. For individuals (i.e. for homeschoolers or if the school is not entering): $15 for up to 3 entries submitted online, or $25 if submitting hardcopies by post.
Categories: Lower Primary (Years K – 3); Upper Primary (Years 4 – 6); Assisted Learning Primary; Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9); Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12); Assisted Learning Secondary; Multicultural NSW Award; Schools Award.
Prizes: Monetary prizes and gift packs are awarded to category winners and runners-up.
Closing date: June 30th 2022
Further information: https://www.dorothea.com.au/How-to-Enter-awards
Poetry contests
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Poetry Contest Highlights
Rhyming Poem: Share a poem that has a clear rhyme scheme. Cash Prize!
8 Words or Less Poem: Can you write a poem with only 8 words? Now is your chance to try this and have a chance at the cash prize.
5-7-5 Poetry: Write a 5-7-5! What's that. It's a poem with three lines. The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven. The third line has five again.
Free Verse Poem: Write a poem that is free form. Free verse does not follow any structure or style. Enter for your chance at the cash prize.
Two Line Poem: Share a poem with two lines. Each line must have exactly six syllables. There should be an internal rhyme and an ending rhyme. View the announcement for an example. Cash prize to the winner.
Haiku: A Haiku is often about nature. It's a short poem. Cash Prize!
2-4-2 Poetry Contest: Share a poem that only has three lines and eight syllables. Cash Prize!
Children's Poetry Contest: Write a poem for a child. Share a poem that your child or grandchild would enjoy. Cash Prize!
View the full list of poetry contests.
International competitions
| Competition | Country | Closing Date | Winners Announced | Max Lines | Entry Fee | Top Prize |
| Anansi Archive Poetry Competition | UK | Quarterly | Quarterly | 500 words | FREE | £20 |
| Notes on Anansi Archive Competition: Any style / genre - they also run quarterly flash fiction and short fiction competitions | ||||||
| Cinnamon Press Poetry Prizes | Wales | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
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Notes on Cinnamon Press Poetry Prizes: They run a variety of literary awards that change regularly - check website for more details |
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| Dandy Writers' Writing Contests | USA | Monthly | Monthly | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Notes on Dandy Writers' Contest: Any style, subject or theme - they run a variety of regular contests for short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more, so check website for full details | ||||||
| FanStory Poetry Contests | USA | Weekly | Weekly | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Notes on FanStory Contests: FanStory run a variety of contests including Haiku, Sonnet, 3 Line Poem and many more - they add new competitions on a weekly basis | ||||||
| Fiction Factory Poetry Competition | UK | Biannually | Biannually | 40 lines | £3 | £100 |
| Notes on Fiction Factory Competition: Any style, subject or theme - they offer additional prizes in the form of critiques and mentoring - short-listed poems published on website | ||||||
| F(r)iction Lit Poetry Competition | USA | Biannually | Biannually | 3 pages | Varies | $300 |
| Notes on F(r)iction Competition: Any style, subject or theme - they also have short story and flash fiction categories - winners published in F(r)iction | ||||||
| Graffiti Writing Magazine Poetry Competition | UK | Bi-Annual | Bi-Annual | Varies | £4 | £100 |
| Notes on Graffiti Writing Magazine Competition: Any style or subject but themes vary - winners published in Graffiti Magazine - they don't have a website, so I have linked to their Facebook page where you can find details of how to enter - they also run a prose competition | ||||||
| Never Such Innocence 'The Unheard Voices of Conflict: Stories from Around the World' Competition | UK | March | May | 40 lines | FREE | Varies |
| Notes on Never Such Innocence Competition: Any style or subject but themed, so check website for current details - for 9 to 18 year olds - winners may be published | ||||||
| New Millennium Awards | USA | Bi-Annually | Bi-Annually | Varies | Varies | Varies |
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Notes on New Millennium Awards: Any style, subject or theme - they've been running a variety of awards since 1996, so best to check website for current details |
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| Sentinel Literary Poetry Competition | UK | Quarterly | Quarterly | 50 lines | £5 | £250 |
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Notes on Sentinel Literary Competition: Any style, subject or theme - winners published in Sentinel Literary Magazine |
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| Templar Poetry Awards | UK | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
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Notes on Templar Poetry Awards: They run lots of different competitions - most offer publication and prize money, but check website for current opportunities - contests include poetry collections, pamphlets and more |
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| Wax Poetry and Art Magazine's Poetry Contests | Canada | Varies | Varies | No max stated | FREE | Varies |
| Notes on Wax Poetry and Art Contest: Any style or subject, but themes vary, so check website for full details - top prize has been up to CAD $1,000 in the past - winners published via Wax Poetry and Art Network | ||||||
| Writers' Forum Poetry Competition | UK | Monthly | Monthly | 40 lines | £7 | £100 |
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Notes on Writers' Forum Competition: Any style, subject or theme - winners published in Writers' Forum magazine |
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