Poetry Contest

The Newbury Library and the John Hay Literary Society

2025 ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST in CELEBRATION OF POETRY MONTH

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE 2025 POETRY CONTEST

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Theme:

THE FOUR (OR MORE) SEASONS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

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RULES FOR SUBMISSION:

Compose a poem on the above theme.

• Poets may submit one (1) original unpublished poem inspired by the theme.

• Poems should be typed in 12 point or larger font.

• Poems should be no longer than one 8.5 x 11-inches page.

• Poets should submit by mail to Dianalee Velie, PO Box 290, Newbury, NH 03255, (603) 938-2734, dianaleevelie@aol.com. Send two (2) copies of your poem: one copy including your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. The second copy should have no identifying information.

• The winning poets will be notified (by telephone or e-mail) by March 28th and will be invited to read their poem at the April 4th event described below.

• Contestants who want to receive a list of contest winners should also submit a stamped, self-addressed envelope with their entries. There is no fee for submission.

• Submissions should be received by March 12th, 2025. 

• There will be 3 winners in the adult category: First, Second, and Third.

• There will be one winner in each of the following categories: High School, Middle School, and Elementary School.

• ​The judge for the contest is the poet, Laurie Zimmermanauthor of the poetry collections, Bright Exit and Hidden Branches. She taught English at Proctor Academy, Andover NH for 28 years and is the former editor of Radix Magazine, Berkeley CA. Laurie is also the recipient of numerous poetry awards.

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The winning poets will be honored and invited to read their poems in a public celebration of poetry, A Center for the Arts First Friday Event sponsored by The Newbury Public Library and the Inkwell Writers’Alliance.

 

Friday, April 4th, 2025

5:30pm to 7:30pm
Hosted by The Newbury Public Library
933 Route 103, Newbury NH

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Public invited ~ Refreshments served ~ No charge for admission

 

To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds every hour, a picture which was never seen before. and which shall never be seen again.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson