Masters 2023
POETRY MASTERS CONTEST 2023
With a twist...
This year we are opening the Poetry Masters to all writers, both published and unpublished. Both awarded and recognized, and complete unknowns. After years of running poetry contests, Oprelle has discovered that powerful diamonds can be found in both locations. The Poetry Masters Contest is unique in that only 5 winners are chosen, and those 5 get a "collection" of their works highlighted as a part of a beautiful Poetry Masters Anthology. These books seem to carry weight and respect for great poetry. It is not unusual for winners to move on to larger awards, recognition, or even fellowship offers. Please read the rules carefully before entering. Address any questions to Kare@oprelle.com
Rules
1. To enter this contest, you must share 1 to 3 of your best poems. ( If you are placed in a possible winners group...we may ask you to send a few more poems before our final winners decisions are made. )
2. Both published and unpublished poetry are acceptable in any subject/style.
3. No single poem is to exceed 20 lines. (Not counting spaces or title.)
4. Entrants also must be age 14 or over. International entries that are interpreted in English are welcome.
5. Submit 1-3 of your best poems in one MS Word document.
6. The Deadline for the Poetry Masters Contest is 12:00 midnight on May 18th, 2023.
7. Each submission has an entry fee of 25.00. There is no limit on the number of entry groups (up to 3 poems per group) a single entrant can make, but a separate entry and fee paid must be made each time.
8. We prefer entrants to use Submittable. But you may mail your entries to:
Oprelle Publications
236 Twin Hills Road
Grindstone, PA 15442
Physical entries will not be returned.
9. The judges will read all the entries; and the decision is final. Judges will not enter into any correspondence.
10. Please make sure to attach contact information and email address only on the entry form – not on your poems. If sending by mail, please attach a cover sheet with your name, phone number, and email address. (Poems will be blind-judged)
11. Your judges for the 2023 Poetry Masters include:
A multi-award winning poet with an MFA in poetry
A college professor and former English teacher
A lead editor and former literary agency employee
12. Judges reserve the right to choose which poems are accepted for the anthology.
13. Upon being chosen in the top 5...you can submit up to 20 of your poems for consideration in your collection.
14. All top 5 poets will receive the prizes outlined below. In addition...the 2024 Poetry Masters Anthology will be available for purchase through Amazon.com and possibly other bookstores worldwide. By submitting a poem to our contest... you accept that, if selected, your entry (or parts thereof) may appear online and in print in any of Oprelle Publication's Affiliates, Books, Social Media, or Websites.
Poems
All poems must have a title and must be within 3 to 20 lines in length (excluding title and spaces). Please do not write your name on any poems -only on the entry form or a separate cover sheet.
Entries can be any subject/any style.
Poems must be the entrant’s original work.
Poems can be published or unpublished.
Poets must maintain rights to their poems submitted. (Oprelle gets non-exclusive rights.)
Fees
The 25.00 entry fee ensures that this competition is for serious poets only. Email
Kare@oprelle.com if questions about fee waivers.
Winners
The Top Five Poetry Masters winners will be notified via email on or before June 30, 2023.
First Place : 500.00, a trophy, and a collection of their poems in a beautiful book.
Second Place: 400.00, a trophy, and a collection of their poems in a beautiful book.
Third Place: 300.00, a trophy, and a collection of their poems in a beautiful book.
Fourth Place: 200.00, a trophy, and a collection of their poems in a beautiful book.
Fifth Place: 100.00, a trophy, and a collection of their poems in a beautiful book.
Authors of the winning poems, by entering the competition, grant Oprelle Publications LLC non-exclusive rights in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poems.
Team Oprelle Wishes You the Best of Luck!