Poetry Contest
Calling Maryland poets age 18 and older! Submit a poem to the Enoch Pratt Free Library Poetry Contest for the chance to be published and featured.
Maryland poets, this free contest is for you! The winning poem will be published in Little Patuxent Review and celebrated at a public reading hosted by the Pratt Library and Little Patuxent Review. It may also be displayed in one of the Central Library's monumental windows or turned into a collectible broadside. The winner will be announced on this page in mid-April.
Contest Rules
- Entrants must be Maryland residents, 18 or older.
- Paid or volunteer staff of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Little Patuxent Review and their immediate families are not eligible, nor are previous Pratt Library Poetry Contest first-place winners.
- Please send only one original poem, on any theme and in any form, for consideration.
- Your entry must be unpublished, either in print or online, including personal blogs, Facebook, or Twitter. It cannot be currently under review for possible publication.
- Your entry must not exceed 100 lines.
- Submit your typed entry as a Microsoft Word attachment by email to contest@prattlibrary.org or by mail to:
Poetry Contest, Humanities Department
Pratt Library, 400 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-4484 - All entries must be received by March 1, 2021.
- Please submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief biography on a separate page. Please do not put your name, address, phone number, or biography on the entry itself. Our judges will see only the poem.
- Confirmation of receipt and comments on your entry will not be provided, nor will your entry be returned to you.
Learn More
Questions? Email contest@prattlibrary.org or call (410) 396-5430.
Interested in past winners? Check out the poems that won in previous years. (PDF)
Help us spread the word! Print and share a Poetry Contest flyer (PDF).
Check out our upcoming poetry events for adults:
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Join us for a night of creativity to preview Wallace Lane’s new work. Lane will be joined by performances with local…January 21, 7 PM -
Carl Phillips reads from his poetry and discusses it with Lia Purpura. Carl Phillips is the author of 15 books…February 2, 7 PM -
Join us for a discussion of the poetry of Yusef Komunyakaa, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Neon Vernacular: New and…February 13, 11 AM -
On the anniversary of Lucille Clifton’s passing, join Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Clifton House in a celebration…February 13, 2 PM
