Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival
Contest Rules & Information

NOTE: This contest is open to festival registrants only. Entrants must complete and send in a registration form. Click here to download a PDF of the registration form. By entering the contest you certify that you have read and agree to the contest rules.

Contest Rules

1. Entries must be typed on one side of 8-1/2" x 11" sheet of white paper. Only one poem per page.

2. Submit two (2) copies of the entries and a separate cover sheet for each entry stating the author’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address (if available), title of the entry and a line/word count. Write the category and age group on the top right of each page submitted. No names or copyright markings on entries.

3. Do not send originals. No entries will be returned.

4. Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate 2006, handing out the awards at the 2006 Awards Banquet.

   No electronic submissions. Send all entries, registration form and payment from each registrant in one envelope. Each household member should use their own envelope.

5. Entry confers a one-time publishing right; all future rights revert to the author.

6. No revisions or additions will be accepted once the initial entry has been received.

7. Send SASE for results. Winners will be notified by April 6, 2010. Decisions of the judges are final.

8. DEADLINE: All entries must be postmarked by Monday, March 15, 2010 (early registration deadline).

9. Make checks payable to: Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council
   Mail your entries, check and registration form to:
   Jim Ott Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival c/o Uncle Credit Union, 2100 Las Positas Court, Livermore, CA 94551

Contest Categories

1. Adult Poetry/Short (Ages 20 and above)
   20 lines maximum, limit 3 submissions
   Submission Cost: $3.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

2. Adult Poetry/Long (Ages 20 and above)
   46 lines maximum, limit 3 submissions
   Submission Cost: $3.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

3. Adult Non-Fiction Prose (Ages 20 and above)
   3,000 words maximum, limit: 2 submissions
   Submission Cost: $8.00 per entry
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

4. Adult Fiction Prose (Ages 20 and above)
   3,000 words maximum, limit: 2 submissions
   Submission Cost: $8.00 per entry
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

5. Teen Poetry (Ages 13-19)
   46 lines maximum, limit 3 submissions
   Submission Cost: $3.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

6. Teen Prose (Ages 13-19)
   3,000 words maximum, limit 2 submissions
   Submission Cost: $8.00 per entry
   First Place Award: $100
   Second Place Award: $50
   Third Place Award: $25
   

7. Youth Poetry (Ages 11-12)
   Limit 5 submissions
   Submission Cost: $1.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $35
   Second Place Award: $25
   Third Place Award: $15
   

8. Youth Poetry (Ages 8-10)
   Limit 5 submissions
   Submission Cost: $1.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $35
   Second Place Award: $25
   Third Place Award: $15
   

9. Youth Poetry (Ages 5-7)
   Limit 5 submissions
   Submission Cost: $1.00 per poem
   First Place Award: $35
   Second Place Award: $25
   Third Place Award: $15

Make checks or money orders payable to:
Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council

Mail submissions to:
Jim Ott
Poetry, Prose & Arts Festival
c/o UNCLE Credit Union
2100 Las Positas Court
Livermore, CA 94551

Click here to download a PDF of the Festival Registration Form.
Click here to download a PDF of the Festival Brochure.
NOTE: PDFs require Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free here.

For further festival and contest information, contact:

Michelle Russo: 925-931-5350 / mrusso@ci.pleasanton.ca.us
John Kallio: 925-462-7261 / DonNoJuan@aol.com
Dave Wright: 925-484-0614 / dawright@sbcglobal.net

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