Submissions Accepted Wednesday, April 1 through Monday, April 20
Do you love writing poetry? In honor of Poetry Month, local students are invited to submit one original poem for a chance at a poetry-related prize pack.
Eligibility: Open to Poets in Grades/Grade Equivalents 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12
Prizes: One poet in each category will win a first prize pack with a Barnes and Noble gift card worth $25, along with poetry writing supplies. Two runners up per category will win a prize pack with poetry writing supplies.
When: Submissions will be accepted Tuesday, April 1, 2025 through Monday, April 21, 2025. Poems will not be accepted after 8:30 pm on Monday, April 20, 2026. Prizes will be announced via the library’s social media on Friday, May 1, 2026. Winners will be contacted directly.
How to Submit Your Poem: Fill out this contest submission form. (Printed copies will also be available at the desk in the children’s department.) Bring it along with a printed copy of your poem to any desk at the Kent Memorial Library.
Other Important Information:
- All forms of poetry are acceptable. Sonnets, haiku, or free verse, it’s all good!
- Poems do not need to rhyme. Poems should not include impolite language.
- Poets must have permission from their parent or guardian to participate.
- Poems must be original and must not have been previously published.
- Only one poem per author.
- All poems must have one single author. Co-authoring is not permitted.
- Poems should be 600 words or less.
- Illustrations are welcome but not required. Illustrations will not count against word count and will not contribute to the overall scoring.
- Adults can help with typing and submitting the poem, but all other aspects must be the work of the child.
- Poem submissions will be judged blindly by a panel of library staff.
If you have additional questions, you can call the library at (860) 668-3896 or email us at ref@suffield-library.org.