50+ Free Poetry Contests to enter in 2025

Looking for online publishers, poetry contests or magazines for submissions is quite a monotonous and tiresome process in itself, let alone the chances of finding relevant info. But not anymore!

Here you’ll find monthly updated poetry contests and submission portals that’ll help you grow as beginners and support your writing career at the same time. Every contest is provided with all the information you need to know before submitting to it. Poets from all nationalities can take part in the poetry contests without worrying about submission fee. So, go writers!

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Poetry Contests:

For beginners, here’s what you might need before publishing your work:

1. The Chestnut Review Competitions

Deadline: 30 June 2025

Submission Requirements: 

1. Unpublished work only.
2. Do not accept submissions of AI-generated work.
3. Any artist from anywhere in the world may submit.
4. Simultaneous submissions are encouraged
5. One active submission per category at a time
6. All those who submit work must be at least 18 years of age.
7. Submit 1-3 poems.
8. Flash: Submit one piece of up to 1000 words
9. Submit one piece between 1000 and 5000 words

Only teams of three or more are eligible to apply.

Prize: $120

2. SPELLBINDER

Deadline: open

Submission Requirements:

1. They do not consider previously published or self-published submissions.
2. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
3. Translations are acceptable and should be accompanied by a copy of the original text.
4. Maximum of 40 lines per poem.
5. Maximum of 2 poems are accepted.

Prize: £3 honorarium and  Publication.

3. Southern Poetry Review

Deadline: open.

Submission requirements:

1. welcomes previously unpublished poetry submissions from all nationalities.
2. Submissions are limited to five poems (1 file), and should not exceed ten pages.

Prize: Publication

4. Abraxas Review

Deadline: Wed, Jul 2, 2025 9:30 AM

Submission requirements:

1. All kinds of forms, including experimental ones are accepted.
2. Unlimited submissions are accepted
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

Prize: publication

5.  New Voices: Frontier Poetry

Deadline: open

Submission requirements:

1. Submissions are open to new and emerging poets only.
2. They accept simultaneous submissions.
3. They do not accept multiple submissions.

Cover letter needed.

All submissions must be no more than ten pages and no more than five poems.

Prize:

• $50 per poem, up to $150.

6. WEST TRADE REVIEW

Deadline: Sat, Aug 2, 2025 9:30 AM.

Submission requirement : offer free submissions the first week of each month (April to December)

1. All submissions must be previously unpublished and are limited to five poems per reading period
2. must be accompanied by a cover letter and a biography of no more than 150 words.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
4. Submit only once per reading period.

Prize:

1. Publication.

7. 2024 “I Matter” Contest

Deadline: open

Submission requirement:

1. Each entry must be original poetry solely created by students.
2. The topic of  the contest is :Black Lives Matter.
3. The contest is open to students in grades K to 12.
4. The contest is open to residents of the United States, as well as to international students.

Prize: $500

8. The Poetry London Prize

Deadline: Tue, Jul 1, 2025 4:30 AM

There are a limited number of free entries for students / unwaged.

Submission requirements:

1. The competition is open to poets anywhere in the world.
2. Entries must be in English.
3. The maximum length is 80 lines, not including titles or blank lines.
4. Entries must not have been previously published or self-published, in print or online, or have won a prize in another competition.

Prize:  

1. First Prize £5,000
2. Second Prize £2,000
3. Third Prize £1,000.

9. PRISM International

Deadline: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 12:30 PM

Submission requirements:

Inclusive Access option under the ‘Submission Fee’ category for those unable to pay the regular $3.00 fee.

1. They only accept original, previously unpublished poetry.
2. They accept and encourage simultaneous submissions.
3. Welcome cross-genre, hybrid, and interdisciplinary poetry and poetics.
4. Accepts up to four poems, maximum of six pages. . Each poem must be submitted in its own form.

Prize : $500 & publication.

10.  Seedlings Micro Poetry

Deadline: open

Submission requirements:

1. Open to simultaneous submissions.
2. Entries in English only. Original work accepted only.
3. Word limit: 20 words or less

Prize: Publication

11. Poetry London Submission

Deadline: open

Submission requirements: They do not print previously published work. Both electronic and postal submissions are welcome. Work should be original work of the

Prize: £30 per poem

12. Frontier Poetry

Deadline: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 12:30 PM

Submission requirements: a free submission window for poets from historically marginalized groups

1. No restriction on age or nationality of author.
2. Send up to three poems per submission, for a total of no more than twelve pages.
3. welcome simultaneous submissions
4. include a brief cover letter that includes a short, third-person bio with your publication history, if applicable.
5. Poems may be on any topic

Prize $5,000

13. Blue Mountain Greeting Card Prize

Deadline: open

Payment: $300 per poem for the worldwide, exclusive rights to publish it on a greeting card and other products, and $50 per poem for one-time use in a book.

Submission requirements:

1. Annual competition is open to Undergraduate student poets who are enrolled in a United States College or University.
2. Limit of Three poems per Category.
3. Unpublished, original poems composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme and received forms are accepted.
4. The poems should be written in Spanish and translations of English poems to Spanish.

14. The Malahat Review

Deadline: open

Submission requirements:

1. They do not publish any kinds of already published work whether offline or online.
2. Simultaneous submission accepted.
3. They accept 3 to 5 poems (up to 10 pages max).

Payment: CAD$70 per published page plus a one-year print subscription and two copies of the issue in which your work appears. 

15. Eurydice Lit

Deadline: not mentioned

If you are interested in more poetry contests, you can go through our Paid Poetry contests list.

Submission requirements:

1. Submitters must be between 11-24 years of age to be eligible for consideration.
2. Accepts simultaneous submissions. No more than 80 lines per poem.
3. Up to 3 poems per submission.

Prize:   $5.00 USD as a minor monetary compensation

16. Lucky Jefferson

Only STUDENTS & STARTERS SUBMIT FOR FREE

Deadline: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 3:30 PM

Submission requirements:

1. Submit up to 5 poems or up to 10 pages of poetry in one file.
2. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
3. They do not accept previously published work.

Payment: $100, publication, and a swag box.

17. The Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: open on in selected months i.e. January, March, May, August, September, November.

Submission requirements:

1. They are looking for ‘First-time electronic publication rights’ meaning fresh work that’s not published anywhere.
2. They accept simultaneous submissions with one submission per writer at a time.

Payment: $75 per author for poems along with payment for print is $ 5 per page, minimum of $20, plus 2contributor copies.

18. Palette Poetry

Deadline: open.

Submission requirements:

1. Submissions are open internationally, to any poet writing in English.
2. They accept simultaneous submissions.
3. Submission must be no more than 5 poems and must not exceed 10 pages.
4. They do not accept multiple submissions.

Payment: $50 per poem, up to $150.

19. Cafe con Libros Press

Deadline: August 31, 2025

Submission requirements:

1. Submit 5 poems or upto 10 pages.
2. Previously unpublished books are accepted.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

Payment: Publication

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED THROUGH EMAIL: cafeconlibrospress@gmail.com

20. American Literary Review

Deadline: open

Submission requirements:

1. unpublished, original poems are only accepted.
2. poetry under 1000 words.
3. hybridity is encouraged

Prize: Publication

21. Existere – Journal

Deadline: not mentioned

Submission requirements:

1. Simultaneous submissions are welcome.
2. Submit 5 pieces or less per person.
3. Submitter must live in Canada.
4. The submitter needs to be 18 years of age or older.
5. Only previously unpublished work will be considered.

Payment: $100 per accepted submission, along with a complimentary copy of the Existere issue your work will be featured in.

22. Poetry London Prize 2025

Deadline: Tue, Jul 1, 2025 4:30 AM

Submission requirements: There are a limited number of free entries for students / unwaged.

1. Entries must be written in English, can be on any subject and can be written in any style or form.
2. Previously unpublished works are accepted only.
3. Multiple submissions are accepted.
4. Entries are welcome from poets based anywhere in the world.
5. There are no restrictions on themes, subjects or styles.

Payment: publication

1. First Prize is £5,000,
2. Second Prize is £2,000
3. Third Prize is £1,000.

23. 2026 John & Eileen Allman Prize for Poetry

Deadline: Wed, Jul 2, 2025 9:30 AM

Themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body.

Submission requirements:

1. Characteristics: vivid writing, strong narrative, and rendering the familiar new.
2. submit up to three poems per submission
3. Work previously published in print or electronically will not be considered.
4. Simultaneous submissions are permitted
5. All contest entries will also be considered for regular publication.
6. AI-generated work will be automatically disqualified.

Prize:

1. First prize is $1,000
2. Honorable mention winners will receive $300
3. Publication in the Spring 2026 issue of BLR.

24. 2025 National Summer Poetry Contest

Deadline:  July 31, 2025

Submission requirements:

1. All work must be original.
2. Entries should not have been previously published.
3. Simultaneous submissions are NOT ALLOWED.
4. One poem per entry accepted.
5. Poems must be 48 lines or less.
6. Any topic or style will be considered.

Payments: $3500 will be awarded in cash and other prizes.

25. The South Carolina Review

Deadline: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 9:30 AM

Submission requirements:

1. No more than one submission per submission period.
2. Poetry submissions may contain as many as six poems
3. No minimum or maximum page limit.
4. accept simultaneous submissions

Prize: publication

26. Frontier Poetry Magazine

Deadline: always open

Guidelines:

1. Submissions are open to new and emerging poets only.
2. All submissions must be no more than ten pages and no more than five poems.
3. Multiple submissions are NOT allowed.

Payment: $50 per poem.

27. The MacGuffin Submission

Deadline: Open

Guidelines:

1. Do not accept work that has been previously published.
2. Accept simultaneous submissions.
3. Do not consider translations.

Payment: Publication

28. Poetry London Submissions

Deadline: Open

Guidelines:

1. submit up to six poems.
2. Particularly keen to read poems in translation, especially translations from endangered languages.

Payment: £30 per poem

29. The Hooghly Review

Deadline: open

Guidelines:

1. Up to 1000 words are accepted.
2. Each poem must be two pages or shorter.
3. Previously unpublished work.
4. Simultaneous submissions are more than welcome.
5. You may make up to two submissions in a submission period.

Payment: Publication

30. Moonday Mag Submission

Deadline: open

Guidelines:

1. Up to 5 poems not exceeding 10 pages collectively.
2. Welcomes simultaneous submissions and previously published work.

Payment: publication + prize nomination

31. Harbor Editions – 2025 Hybrid Chapbook

Deadline: Tue, Jul 1, 2025 12:30 PM

Guidelines: define hybrid as a collection that combines genres or defies classification. All fees are waived for BIPOC identifying writers, as well as previous finalists of the prize.

1. Chapbooks should be around 20-50 pages.
2. Previously unpublished works are accepted and so are the simultaneous submissions.
3. The collection as a whole must be unpublished.
4. Simultaneous submissions are permitted.
5. Do not accept translations.

Payment: standard publishing contract, 20 copies of their book and publication of their micro chapbook online at Harbor Review.

32. F(r)iction: Fame Submissions

Deadline: Sun, Aug 31, 2025 11:30 AM

Guidelines:

1. Read simultaneous submissions.
2. Do not consider work that has been previously published.
3. (up to five poems in the same document) up the three pages per poem

Payment: publication

33. NEBRASKA Press

Deadline: Jun 2, 2025 10:30 AM

Guidelines: Submissions must include the

1. full manuscript
2. working title
3. brief description (max 250 words)
4. type of submission
5. short biographical statement
6. email address.

Submissions for literary translations must include

1. the original and translated title
2. brief description
3. biographical statements for both author and translator
4. sample translation (15-20 pages uploaded under “Full Manuscript”)
5. original publisher information
6. English language rights availability, and email address.

Prize: $2,000 cash prize and the honorable mention will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. Both winners will be awarded the publication of their book by the University of Nebraska Press.

34. ABRAXAS Review

Deadline: Wed, Jul 2, 2025 9:30 AM.

Guidelines:

1. literary works in any genre or form, and from writers of all backgrounds and identities.
2. Multiple submissions are considered.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
4. Poetry submissions should not exceed five poems.

Prize: publication.

35. Pencil Magaz

Deadline: July 7, 2025.

Guidelines: submission could be about erasers/erasing/erasure.

1. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
2. Do not accept previously published work.
3. Up to 5 poems.

36. Spiral House Editions X fieldnotes collective

Deadline: Friday 2 May, 2025

Guidelines:

1. There is no limit on the number of poems you include in your submission, but your submission should be no more than 6 page.
2. Each person can only send one submission.
3. Collaborative submissions can be considered
4. Submissions must not have been previously published
5. Simultaneous submissions are permitted

Prize: £100

37. American Literary Review General Subs.

Deadline: Fri, May 2, 2025 10:30 AM

To request a fee-waived submission, email americanliteraryreview@gmail.com.

Guidelines:

1. Include up to 5 poems per submission.
2. There is no word or page limit.
3. Do not submit more than once per reading period.
4. Poetry submitted for publication in the American Literary
5. Review must be accompanied by a cover letter

The poetry submission portal will close if they receive 300 submissions before the reading period ends.

Prize: publication

38. Grain magazine

Deadline: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 10:30 AM

Free for Canadian poets. They are able to offer a limited number of fee waivers to those writers for whom the reading fee is prohibitive;

Email grainmag@skwriter.com to inquire about fee waivers and before submitting your work.

Guidelines:

1. Individual poems, sequences, or suites up to a maximum of 6 pages.
2. Include a cover letter.
3. All work must be original, and human-generated, from start to finish.
4. We do not accept submissions of any kind that were written, developed, or assisted by AI tools such as ChatGPT.

Prize: $50 per page to a maximum of $250, plus 2 copies of the issue

39. American Literary Review

Deadline: open

Guidelines:

1. Poetry under 1000 words.
2. For poetry, the lyric is important: a prose poem should not have dead music.

Prize: publication

40. ARCANA Poetry Press: 2025 Anthology

Deadline: June 1st, 2025

Guidelines: Theme: “Roots & Ruin”

1. Submit up to 1-5 poems, must be in English.
2. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
3. Open to poets of all backgrounds and experience levels.
4. Poems must be original and unpublished
5. welcome free verse and formal verse poetry

Prize: publication

41. South Broadway Ghost Society

Deadline: June 21, 2025

Guidelines:

1. submit no more than 1-3 poems per submission.
2. submit only once to this call.
3. Simultaneous submissions are considered.
4. Poems previously published online won’t be considered.

Prize: publication

42. Horror Tree

Deadline: June 1st, 2025

Guidelines: theme is “It Takes a Village”

Works from Canadian writers/authors only, with some preference for writers from British Columbia.

1. Up to five poems are allowed.
2. They only accept unpublished works.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
4. Multiple submissions are allowed

Prize: publication & $5 for poetry sets (up to 5 pages)

43. The Shore

Deadline: June 1, 2025

Guidelines:

1. submit upto 3-5 poems per submission.
2. A cover letter and third-person bio has to be included.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

Prize: publication

44. Baltimore Review

Deadline: Sun, Jun 1, 2025 9:30 AM

Guidelines:

1. send 3 poems.
2. One submission per reading period.
3. prose poems are preferred

Prize: publication

45. The Carolyn Moore Writing Residency

Deadline: May 15th, 2025.

Guidelines:

1. open to all and free from formal guidelines or restrictions.
2. They welcome poetry, prose, visual work and experiments in between.
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

Prize: publication

46. Humana Obscura

Deadline: Fri, May 2, 2025 12:30 PM

Guidelines:

1. they accept poetry submissions of up to five poems.
2. Submissions must be accompanied by a brief 50 to 100 word third-person bio.
3. Accept simultaneous submissions
4. will not accept work previously published

Prize: publication

47. The Turning Leaf Journal

Deadline: open

Guidelines:

1. You may include up to 3 poems in one submission.
2. You may include up to 3 hybrid pieces in one submission, totaling no more than 5,000 words.
3. Response time averages at 27 days

Prize: publication

48. The Schooner

Deadline: Fri, May 2, 2025 10:30 AM

Guidelines:

1. 5-7 poems are accepted.
2. submission must be unpublished and not plagiarised.
3. Submission should be in English, or with an accurate translation.
4. Simultaneous submissions are NOT accepted.

Prize: publication

49. Seaford Review

Deadline: 31 January 2025

Guidelines: simultaneous submissions are accepted. Only unpublished work to be submitted. Open to all nationalities.

Prize: publication

50. Hayden’s Ferry Review

Deadline: open

Guidelines:

1. They do not accept AI-generated contest.
2. Send up to 3 poems (no more than 10 pages).
3. Simultaneous submissions are accepted.
4. They  not accept previously published work.
5. Do not consider book-length works.

Prize: publication

51. Fregmented Voices

Deadline: 31 MAY 2025

Guidelines:

1. For poetry, send up to 4 poems, no longer than 40 lines each.
2. Welcome simultaneous submissions.
3. Do not accept multiple submissions.
4. Prefer previously unpublished work.

Prize: publication

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