11th Annual Poetry Contest & Slam

*for grades 1 through 6

National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE POETRY SLAM

CONTEST DETAILS

All contest entrants will be considered in one of three groups:

• Grades 1 and 2
• Grades 3 and 4
• Grades 5 and 6

One winner and two runners-up will be selected from each group. The contest winner will receive a $20.00 RJ Julia Gift Card and the runners-up will each receive a $5.00 RJ Julia Gift Card.

Winners and runners-up are invited to read their poems at our Poetry Slam on Friday, April 28 at 4:00pm. All entrants and their families are invited to attend the slam!

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Entrants must submit three hard copies of the poem and each copy must include name, address, phone number, grade level, and age. Poems can be dropped off at the store or mailed to RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443. Only hard copies will be accepted; no e-mails.

EDUCATORS: You may submit as a class or encourage students to enter individually. For classroom submissions, please include individual student information for each poem.

• There are no restrictions on topic or length and poems do not have to rhyme.
• Submissions will not be returned.
• Please do not staple submissions together.
• The last date for submissions is Saturday, April 22 by 6pm.
• Winners and honorees will be notified by Tuesday, April 25.

Submissions not meeting all of these guidelines will not be considered; no exceptions.

We look forward to reading your poetry!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE POETRY SLAM