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2025 Poetry Contest Submission Guidelines

The EAC Charles Moore Poetry Prize Competition invites submissions of original, unpublished poems that explore the theme of Work. This theme can be interpreted broadly—personal reflections, celebrations of craftsmanship, the meaning of work in our lives, or anything else that
work means to the poet. Youth poets may want to explore their career dreams and aspirations. All submissions will be judged blind.


To submit:


Eligibility:
Open to all poets, with two categories:​

  • Youth Poets (17 and under)

  • Adult (18 and over)

Submissions must be the original work of the entrant and not published elsewhere, including online platforms.


Poem Requirements:​

  • Sumbit only one poem, related to the theme, Work, from any perspective.

  • Submissions of multiple poems will not be entered in the competition.

  • Maximum length: 50 lines.
     

Format:

  • PDF or Word document.

  • Standard 12-point font, Times New Roman or Arial, single-spaced.

  • Names will be removed from submissions to insure a blind judging process.
     

  • Process:

  • Submit via email to eastportpoetry@gmail.com

  • Include your name, contact information, and a one-sentence bio in the body of your email.

  • The EAC reserves the right to disqualify submissions whose content is deemed inappropriate to the spirit of this contest.

  • No current employee or current EAC Board member or their families may enter the contest.
     

Deadline:

  • All submissions must be received by May 31st, 2025.
     

Prizes:​
Adult division:

1st Place, $300 • 2nd Place, $200 • 3rd Place, $100

Youth division:

1st Place , $150 • 2nd Place, $100 • 3rd Place, $50

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  • Prize winners will be notified by email when they receive their invitations to the celebration.

  • Prize winners will be announced at the celebration and subsequently on the EAC’s website and social media.

​

Results:​

  • All entrants will receive an emailed invitation to the anthology launch, poetry reading, and celebration on the evening of Saturday, August 16th, 2025, at the Eastport Arts Center, Eastport, Maine.

  • All poets will be invited to read their poems at the celebration.

    The Competition Anthology:

  • Poems in both the adult and youth divisions will be published in the anthology.

  • Poets from Maine will receive a hard copy of the anthology at the celebration or by postal mail.

  • Poets outside Maine will receive a PDF copy of the anthology by email.

  • Copies of the anthology will be available for purchase at the celebration and on Amazon.

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