1. The competition is open to poems 32 lines or fewer. Entries longer than 32 lines will be automatically disqualified. Long poems may not be broken into segments and entered as separate entries. Each poem must be self-contained and must be titled. Style and subject matter are open. Type the line count along with your name, address, phone number and email address at the top left-hand corner of the page. No refunds will be given for disqualified entries.
2. The entry fee is $15 for the first poem submitted and $10 for each additional poem. You may enter as many poems as you wish. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, you may send one check (in U.S. funds) and one entry form for a single entry or batch of entries. You may pay with a check or money order, Visa or Mastercard when entering online or via regular mail. Entries received without an entry fee will be disqualified. Entry fees may not be sent after poems have been received. Credit cards will be charged within 90 days of the contest deadline. Charges will appear on your statement as “F+W Contests.”
3. All entries must be in English, original, unpublished, and not submitted elsewhere at the time of submission. “Unpublished” means poems may not have appeared in print or on the Internet for public consumption (i.e., poems posted on a public forum or on your Web site may not be entered). Writer’s Digest reserves the one-time publication rights to the 1st through 50th-place winning entries to be published in a Writer’s Digest publication, on Writer’s Digest‘s Web site, or in other digital materials.
4. If you are submitting your entry via regular mail, all entries must be typewritten on one side of 8-1/2 x 11 white paper (computer printout acceptable) or A4 white paper. Unusual typefaces, colors, and graphics should not be used. Poems will not be returned so keep a copy for your records. No refunds will be issued for disqualified entries.
5. Entries must be postmarked by December 3, 2012. Online entries will close after 11:59 pm EST on December 3, 2012.
6. Winners will be notified by March 16, 2013. If you have not been contacted by this date, you may assume that your entry is not a finalist and may be marketed elsewhere.
7. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your entry if you want to be notified of its receipt. We cannot notify you personally of your poem’s status before the winners are announced. This includes phone and email status inquiries. If entering online, you will receive a confirmation email for each entry you submit. Please note, the emailed confirmation will come from writingcompetition@fwpubs.com.
8. Winners’ names will appear in the July/August 2013 issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. Afterwards, their names and poem titles will be posted at www.writersdigest.com.
9. The following are not permitted to enter the competition: employees of F+W Media, Inc., and their immediate families and Writer’s Digest contributing editors and correspondents as listed on the masthead.
A homeless man in my neighborhood has written a touching poem that he would like to enter in this contest. The piece has appeared in Spare Change, which is a newspaper largely written by homeless people and sold for $1 on the street to help raise money for both the paper and the homeless people selling it. The publication is only locally distributed in Washington, DC and is not available on-line. Does this count as “publication”?
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Hello WD
I wanted to know if you could submit your poem if you already have it copywrited?