How to Avoid Poetry Contest Scams

So, you're a poet, huh? You've written some fine work, your friends and family enjoy reading it, and you think others-complete strangers-will have the same love for your written words. And you're intrigued by the possibility of getting paid for your poetry.

You've begun to think about entering a poetry contest. The problem is there are thousands of them out there, and you don't know which one is the right one for you. If you're reading this, you've come to the right place. I have answers for your questions, and I won't lead you astray like many fly-by-night poetry contests will. I'll tell you what you need to know.

You need to know what exactly a poetry contest is and what to avoid...

It's a contest first and foremost, but it's also a gamble. Why? Because very, very few legitimate contests are free of charge. Most often, poets must pay a ten or fifteen dollar entry fee. You have no better chance of winning than any other poet who enters, and thousands may enter. But you can hedge your bets and make sure you're noticed by the judges.

Before you make the gamble, make sure you're not gambling. Improve the overall quality of your poetry by incorporating themes and poetic devices into your work, and editing and revising several drafts. Learning how to write poetry is absolutely necessary to winning a poetry contest, and if you don't think you're good enough, don't enter. There are better outlets for your work than contests if you're not up to par with the other poets who enter.

If you think your poetry has a good chance to win, take the dive, but remember poetry is judged by human beings. They're looking for what they think makes good poetry, and your views may differ greatly. Even if your poem is as good as the best poetry entered into the contest, there can only be one first place winner, meaning many poets will get short changed even if they could have won, and one of those poets is likely to be you. It's similar a dice roll.