How to Submit

The Rules

Rules for 2009: Please Read Carefully!

Rules for classrooms participating in Poets' Night Out are slightly different. Teachers, in addition to The Rules on this page, please see Information for Schools for more details.

  1. Poets of all ages are invited to enter their original poetry in the Poets' Night Out contest. Deadline for submissions is October 2, 2009.
  2. Poets must live in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, or Wexford counties to enter. Be sure to record what county you are living in on the Submission Form.
  3. For a $10.00 submission fee (check or money order to TADL/Friends) poets may submit up to three poems. Poems are limites to 32 lines per page, continue longer poems on another page. DO NOT submit more than a total of 96 lines or more than three poems.
  4. Poems must be typewritten. ***HAND WRITTEN POEMS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED***
  5. Please give each poem a title. Do not write your name on the poem.
  6. Fill out and include a Submission Form with your poems.
  7. Include 3 copies of each of your poems AND a self addressed stamped envelope.
  8. Poems will not be returned; please keep a copy of your poems.
  9. Mail your entry to: Poets' Night Out Traverse Area District Library 610 Woodmere Ave. Traverse City, Michigan MI 49686

Winning Poets will be asked to read their poem at Poets' Night Out, celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2009 7:00 PM at the Traverse City Opera House, 106 E Front Street, Traverse City.

Winning poems will be published in a chapbook. One FREE chapbook will be given to those with published poems. Additional chapbooks available for sale for $5.00 the night of the poetry reading and afterward at the Traverse Area District Library.

For more information, please see the Poets' Night Out FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

The Forms

Individuals

Individuals should use the Individual Submission Form, which includes a copy of The Rules. Please be sure to read them before submitting your work.

Individual submission forms are also available at the Traverse Area District Library and many other area libraries.

Schools / Classrooms

Teachers should use the Classroom Submission Form when submitting work on behalf of their classroom. Please be sure to read The Rules and Information for Schools before submitting.