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- Your entry must be unpublished, either in print or online, including personal blogs, Facebook, or Twitter.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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Registration encouraged, but not required. Click here to register through Eventbrite. Carl Phillips reads from his poetry…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 -
Registration not required, but encouraged. Click here to register through Eventbrite. On the anniversary of Lucille Clifton&rsquo…February 13, 2 PM -
Poets Joseph Ross and Michael Torres read from and discuss their new books. Joseph Ross is the author of four books of poetry…March 10, 7 PM -
Join us for a discussion of the poetry of Rita Dove, who served as United States Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995 and won…March 13, 11 AM -
Presented in partnership with CityLit Festival. Two teachers guide participants through the processing of grief with the…March 24, 6 PM -
Join us for a discussion of the poetry of Adrienne Rich. Please watch this space for a list of poems we may discuss…April 10, 11 AM
