In each category, $1,000 and publication in the CSU Poetry Series is offered for the best full-length volume of original poetry in English submitted between November 1, 2008 and March 2, 2009 (postmark deadline).

The 2009 First Book Competition will be judged by D.A. Powell (for information on the 2009 First Book judge, go to www.poets.org/dapow/).  The 2009 Open Book Competition Winner will be selected by the Open Book Editorial Committee (Kazim Ali, Mary Biddinger, Michael Dumanis, and Sarah Gridley).
MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:

• manuscript should contain a minimum of 48 pages of poetry
• manuscript pages should be numbered and include a table of contents
• include one cover page with manuscript title, your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address
• your name should not appear anywhere else on the manuscript
• include a second cover page containing manuscript title only  
• clearly indicate on the outside of the mailing envelope and on each cover page “First Book” or “Open Competition” (see Eligibility)
• do not include a cover letter or biographical information
• include an acknowledgements page, listing any previously published books or poems, if applicable

MULTIPLE & SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS:

• send multiple submissions in the same envelope, marked “Multiple,” reading fee: $ 25.00 per manuscript
• simultaneous submissions acceptable, please inform us if the manuscript is accepted elsewhere

ELIGIBILITY:

• manuscripts are eligible for the First Book competition if the author has not published or committed to publish a collection of his or her poetry in a book of 48 or more pages with a press run of at least 500 copies
• entry to the Open Competition is limited to authors who have published at least one full-length collection of original poetry
• intimate friends, relatives, current and former students of the First Book judge (students in an academic, degree-conferring program or its equivalent) are not eligible to enter the 2009 First Book contest
• manuscripts that have been previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible
• translations are not eligible
• there are no restrictions on style or content

MAIL ENTRIES TO:
Cleveland State University
Poetry Center Prizes
(please specify: First Book or Open Competition)
Department of English
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• reading fee: $25.00 per manuscript, check or money order payable to Cleveland State University
• for notification of manuscript receipt, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard  
• for notification of contest results, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope
• manuscripts are not returned
• once submitted, manuscripts cannot be altered; winners will be given the opportunity to make changes prior to publication
• the CSU Poetry Center reserves the right to consider all finalists for publication
• listing of winners, finalists and semi-finalists will be posted on the Poetry Center website www.csuohio.edu/poetrycenter
• email poetrycenter@csuohio.edu with questions or concerns

[Top of Page]