Contests

* Annual contest deadline: June 1.

* Student contest deadline: May 15.
See Student contests descriptions: click here

The following are descriptions of the various contests.

All contests are open to members in good standing except Board members.

Non-members may enter by paying $10 for up to 3 poems and $3 for each additional poem. Only one poem per contest. Make checks out to the New England Poetry Club (no charge for students and members).

* Entries must be orginal unpublished poems in English.

* No poem may be entered in more than one contest, nor should it have won a previous contest.

* Poems should be typed and submitted in duplicate, with the author's name and address on one copy. Label poems with the name of the contest.

* No entries will be returned and the NEPC will not engage in correspondence regarding poems submitted or contest decisions.

* Judges are well-known poets, and sometimes are winners of previous NEPC contests.

* No entries should be sent special delivery. Regular mail only.

* Mark the name or names of the contest(s) entered on the envelope before mailing. All entries (unless otherwise noted) should be sent to: NEPC Contest Coordinator, P.O. Box 190076, Boston, MA 02119.

* Annual contest deadline: June 1. Entries must be postmarked between April 1st and June 1st only.

Given annually since 1920 to a poet who has done the most for the art in the previous year or in a lifetime. Click here for a history of the Award.

Rosalie Boyle/Norma Farber Award
For a poem in traditional form, including sonnet, villanelle, and sestina. Prize $100.

Gretchen Warren Award
For the best published poem of the previous year. (Members of the governing board may not enter any competition except this one.) Send 2 copies of up to 4 poems, with dates and names of publications, author’s name on one copy. No cash award.

May Sarton Award
Given intermittently to a poet whose work is an inspiration to other poets. Prize $250. Recipients chosen by the Board.

Daniel Varoujan Award
For an unpublished poem (not a translation) worthy of Daniel Varoujan, a poet killed by the Turks in the genocide which destroyed three-fourths of the Armenian population. Prize $1000.

Der-Hovanessian Prize
For a translation from any language. Send a copy of the original with the poem. Prize $200. Funded by John Mahtesian.

Erika Mumford Prize
For a poem in any form about foreign culture or travel. Prize $250. Funded by her family and friends.

Firman Houghton Award
For a lyric poem in honor of the former president of the NEPC. Prize $250.

Barbara Bradley Award
For a lyric poem under 21 lines, written by a woman. Prize $200.

The Jean Pedrick Chapbook Award has been extended by one more year thanks to an anonymous donor. Two copies of chapbooks, plus $5 entry fee to non-members. Prize $TBA.
Send to 2 Farrar Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Sheila Margaret Motton Prize
For a book of poems published in the last two years. Send 2 copies of the book with $5 handling fee for non-members. Prize $500.
Send to 2 Farrar Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

No fee for full time students.

Include school name, grade, address and email address of student, and contest name on each entry. Submit in duplicate.

The John Holmes Award
For a poem by a student enrolled in a New England college. Prize $100.
Send to 2 Farrar Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Ruth Berrien Fox Award
Given for a poem by a Massachusetts High School student. Prize $100.
Send to 2 Farrar Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Longfellow Prize
For a poem by a Massachusetts student in grade 6, 7 or 8. Prize $100.
Funded by Friends of the Longfellow House.
Send to 2 Farrar Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Click for 2007 contest results.