Deadline May 15, 2008

Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction announces its fourth annual juried poetry contest.

The grand prize winner will be awarded a $100.00 USD cash prize. Three runners-up will receive $ 75.00 USD each.

The top four selections will be published in the September, December, March, and June issues of Presence respectively. A number of honorable mentions will also be featured in future publications of Spiritual Directors International.

Anyone may enter. However here are a few essential criteria to follow. 

• Only one poem per person is allowed.
• Poems may be no longer than 30 lines.
• Only previously unpublished poetry can be entered.
• Poems may not be submitted to other publications until after the results of the Presence Poetry Contest are announced.
• Poems chosen for publication in Presence may not be submitted to other publications until after publication in Presence.
• Poems should pertain to a spiritual theme or should relate to spiritual direction.
• All poems must be submitted by e-mail, as an attachment, preferably in MS Word form.

• Write “Presence Poetry Contest” in the subject line.

• DO NOT INCLUDE ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION IN THE ATTACHMENT OTHER THAN
  • THE POEM TITLE
  • THE POEM ITSELF
  • DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE ATTACHMENT

The poems will be judged anonymously by a three judge panel. 

Include all of the following information in the body of the e-mail submission:

• Name of Poet
• Name of Poem
• E-mail address
• Country 

ALL POEMS SUBMITTED WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED. HOWEVER ONLY SUBMISSIONS WHICH CONFORM STRICTLY TO THE CRITERIA ABOVE WILL BE JUDGED.

Okay, this last part is the most important:

E-mail your poem to poetrycontest@sdiworld.org.

If you send them to any other e-mail, there is a high likelihood they will wind up in poetry heaven but not in the poetry contest. Good luck!