The Gaithersburg Book Festival, an annual literary event featuring educational panels, book signings and appearances from authors from across the country, recently opened submissions to its poetry contest. High school students in grades 9-12 from across the Washington Metropolitan Area will be able to submit original poems for the chance to be published on the festival’s website and win a cash prize.
Poems can be submitted through February 20 in preparation for the festival, which will be held on May 16. Any private, public or homeschool student can submit a poem, as long as it is no longer than one page and focuses on this year’s subject, “What Is Humanity?” Submissions must not have been published anywhere before the book festival, and generating a poem using artificial intelligence is not allowed.
Up to 12 poems will be chosen as finalists, and the top three will receive $50-$250 in gift certificates. The general public can also vote on their favorite poem on the Gaithersburg Book Festival’s website, with the winner receiving a $25 gift certificate.
Rules and more information about the poetry contest can be found at www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/gbf-programs/poetry-contest/. Any questions should be emailed to [email protected].
