Calling All Poets

A VOYA contest: Teen Poetry Contest Rules

To find the most deserving poetry written by teens aged twelve to eighteen, VOYA asks librarians, teachers, or other professionals working with youth to act as sponsors in collecting and judging teen submissions. Sponsors should select no more than three of the worthiest poems by teens in their local area. (With several classes from one school, please send only one poem from each class.) Selected entries must reach VOYA by December 31, 2009.

Please Note: Entries submitted directly from teens will not be considered or returned.

VOYA Judges will select the cream from your crop. When notified, sponsors must return our forms with parents' permission to print the work of each winning poet. Each winner will receive a $20 cash prize and a copy of the April 2010 issue.

Contest submissions may be poems of up to thirty lines on any topic. They must be typed, double-spaced, accompanied by the poet's name, age, town, and state. On the same page with each poem entered, contact information: name, title, organization/school/library, street address, city, state, zip code, phone, and e-mail if applicable. Please attach document to an email with the poets last name and "VOYA Teen Poetry Contest" in the subject line and send to voya@voya.com.

Note: the procedure is new. We will no longer accept entries by mail.

Contest Deadline: December 31, 2009.