Submissions accepted for New Milford Poetry Contest
NEW MILFORD, Conn. – Residents of New Milford are encouraged to tap into their creative side in the coming weeks.
The second annual New Milford Poetry Contest has returned, with submissions being accepted now through April 25.
The Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts and New Milford Public Library are co-sponsors of the New Milford Poetry Contest.
The contest is open to New Milford residents and students in all New Milford schools in four age categories: youth 8-12; young adult 13-18; adult 19-55; and senior 56+.
The literary arts offering, which celebrates National Poetry Month in April, will conclude with a public poetry reading and awards ceremony.
“Poetry plays an important role in the literary arts,” said New Milford Poet Laureate Deborah Rose, who in 2023 revived the contest from years past, with support from the arts commission and library.
“It is a form of expression,” she said. “It helps people learn, express emotions, and it brings people together. Plus, it helps people explore their creativity and think from different perspectives.”
“We have had a great reception the last two years and we look forward to more submissions this year,” Rose said.
A blind read of poems will be conducted by Rose, Canterbury School English Department Chair Madelaine Lord, and New Milford Public Library Services Librarian Amy Berkun.
Poems will be accepted by email, and can also be dropped off at the library, through April 25.
Winners will be notified by May 2 and invited to read their poem at a poetry reading in Memorial Hall at New Milford Public Library May 17 at 2 p.m. In addition, cash prizes will be awarded.
In addition, the winning poems will be displayed at New Milford Public Library from May 11 through June 11.
Full guidelines are posted at www.artsnewmilfordct.org and www.newmilfordlibrary.org by March 7.
NEW MILFORD POETRY CONTEST
CONTEST GUIDELINES
2025
SPONSORS
· The Town of New Milford, the New Milford Commission on the Arts, and New Milford Public Library are the co-sponsors of the contest.
CATEGORIES
· Youth 8-12
· Young adult 13-18
· Adult 19-55
· Senior 56+
RULES
· Open to New Milford residents and all students in New Milford schools.
· A poem in its entirety must be an original written work by the writer/entrant. No part of the poem can be created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) generators or similar. By submitting a poem to this contest, the writer attests that the poem was not created, in whole or in part, with an AI generator or similar. Should any portion of the poem be discovered to be a product of an AI generator or similar, the entrant will be disqualified.
· Submissions must be unpublished.
· Each entrant may submit up to two poems.
· The judges have sole responsibility to accept and choose winning poems for this competition.
· If a poem does not have a title, use Untitled as the title.
SUBMISSIONS
· Poems will be accepted by email or may be dropped off at the New Milford Public Library, March 4 through April 25.
· A poem and its title must be submitted as a typed copy, or with a typed copy.
· If two poems are being submitted, each poem must be submitted in a/on a separate document.
· The author’s name or identifying information may NOT appear on the Word doc or pdf with the poem. Please submit a separate page with the author’s information.
· The poet’s name, mailing address, email address (if applicable), contact phone number, category and age, if 18 or under, should be included in the cover page for the poems via email, or as a cover page for poems submitted at the library.
· Submissions should be emailed to newmilfordartscomm@gmail.com, or dropped off at the New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St., New Milford.
· For email submissions, the subject line should read: Poetry contest, (Entrant’s first and last name), (Title of Poem).
JUDGING
· A blind read of poems will be conducted by New Milford Poet Laureate Deborah Rose, Canterbury School English Department Chair Madelaine Lord, and New Milford Public Services Librarian Amy Berkun.
· Contest entries will be judged based on poetic technique, effectiveness, style, and creativity.
WINNERS & PRIZES
· Winners will be notified by May 2 and invited to read their poem at a poetry reading in Memorial Hall at New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St., May 17 beginning at 2 p.m.
· Winning poems will be displayed at New Milford Public Library May 11 through June 11.
· A first- and second-place prize will be awarded in each category of four categories. A first-place prize is $100, a second-place prize is $50. Honorable mention may be awarded in some categories.
