Poetry Contests

At times, it is easy to overlook the value of poetry contests. We get busy with other projects and neglect another potential source of income.

For ten years running, I made a goal to submit to at least 5-20 poetry contests on a yearly basis. The results? Each year, I either got paid a nice sum for one page of work or I won first, second, or third place in a contest.

Getting a check for $75.00-$150.00 is rewarding; having your work chosen ahead of other submissions is a great feeling. The validation you receive is well worth the few minutes it takes to send off a poem.

Things get really interesting when you submit prize-winning poems, only to have them win a second or third time around! Getting paid for something you've already been compensated for just doesn't get any better.

To stay on target, it is helpful to make a mental note that you will submit a certain number of poems each year. Even setting a reading fee amount is realistic. I've always earned far more than I ever paid out in reading fees. It's a numbers game, but if you have the knack of writing good poetry, it can become a lucrative endeavor.