SAN FRANCISCO (July 13, 2016) — The Science Fiction Poetry Association is holding its annual Science Fiction Poetry Contest, searching around the world for the best poems incorporating science fiction, fantasy, horror and other genres of the imagination. This year’s contest deadline is Aug. 31, 2016.
This year’s prizes range from $100 for First Place, $50 for Second Place, and $25 for Third Place. Poets can submit works in three categories: Dwarf, under 10 lines, Short, and Long poems, which are defined as 50 lines and more. The Science Fiction Poetry Association also provides guidelines for prose poem entries based on a total word count.
There is a $2 entry fee per poem, but no limit to how many poems one can enter. All poems must be original and previously unpublished. All sub-genres of speculative poetry are allowed in any form. The full guidelines can be found online at: http://sfpoetry.com/contests.
This year’s judge is Michael Kriesel, winner of the North American Review’s 2015 Hearst Prize and numerous other awards, and President of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. Kriesel’s work has appeared in Alaska Quarterly, Antioch Review, Crab Creek Review,Nimrod, Rattle, Right Hand Pointing, Rosebud, and The Progressive. His books include Chasing Saturday Night: Poems about Rural Wisconsin (Marsh River Editions),Whale of Stars (Sunnyoutside), Moths Mail the House (Sunnyoutside), and Feeding My Heart to the Wind: Selected Short Poems (Sunnyoutside). He has a B.S. in Literature from the University of the State of New York, and was a print and broadcast journalist in the U.S. Navy.
The Science Fiction Poetry Association was founded in 1978 to bring together poets and readers interested in science-fiction poetry and has an international membership. It oversees the publication of two journals, Star*Line and Eye to the Telescope. They present three annual awards: The Rhyslings, the Dwarf Stars and the Elgin Award. You can visit their website at www.sfpoetry.com.
