Poetry Contests That Don't Charge Poets a Fee to Enter

As I have mentioned in my Poetry Markets Article, most publications just do not pay you for your work. Those that do pay, pay little. There are only a rare few that will pay you anything decent. Another way for a poet to earn money is to enter poetry contests. A lot of the contest that I have found want you to pay a fee. As we are all trying to make money and not spend it, I have only put contests/fellowship listings that do not ask for fees.

Binghamton University Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award(for poets over 40)
Binghamton University Creative Writing Program
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607)777-2713
Fax: (607)777-2408
E-Mail: cwpro@binghamton.edu
http://www.english.binghamton.edu/cwpro
Contact: Maria Mazziotti Gillan, award director
Award: $1,000 annual and a reading at the University for a book of poetry published by the best poet over the age of 40. Guidelines and entry form can be obtained by a SASE, e-mail or on the website.
Submit: Three copies of your book
Deadline: March 1

Guggenheim Fellowships
Jim Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
90 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 687-4470
Fax: (212) 697-3248
E-Mail: fellowships@gf.org
http://www.gf.org
These fellowships are awarded every year to people who have demonstrated exceptional artistic ability. The monetary amounts vary. The average given in 2004 was $37,362. In 2004, 185 United State and Canadian fellowships were given out of 3, 268 applications.
Deadline: October 1, further information is on the website.