Fall Contest Time (Poetry Edition)

Ah, the smell of wood fires and the crackle of leaves under foot! Along with the sounds and smells of fall, come the fall poetry contests.  With the return of many colleges and universities to session, they bring with them new places to showcase your writing.  While most contests charge a fee (usually $10-$20), they offer the gifts of fiscal rewards and publishing glory.

Some contests you might consider:

1. Deadline October 1, 2012: Missouri Review: Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize in Poetry
2. Deadline October 1, 2012:  RHINO: Founders’ Prize in Poetry
3. Deadline October 31, 2012:  North American Review: James Hearst Poetry Prize
4. Deadline November 1, 2012:  Mid-American Review: The James Wright Poetry Award
5. Deadline November 1, 2012: Sycamore Review: The Wabash Prize for Poetry
6. Deadline November 15, 2012: Yale Series of Younger Poets Prize (for First Book)

Cast a big net! Try and get the biggest fish.  Don’t forget: You can always search for open markets on Duotrope too.