Submissions will be accepted for the 12th Annual Poetry Contest January 13 - February 22, 2025.
- Submit your original poem through this page. Paper copies of your poem can be submitted along with a contest flyer entry form at any Anderson County Library System branch location during the submission dates.
- Entries will be published in an anthology that will be available for purchase and added to the Library’s collections.
- One adult and one teen will be selected for a grand prize and a complimentary printed copy of the book. Second and third place prizes in both age groups will also receive prizes.
- Anthology books will be available for pre-order at all ACLS branch locations for $10.00 (cash, card, or check) from January 13 through March 20, 2025.
- The reception for the Poetry Contest is scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025, during which the winners will be announced. On the same day, the 12th Annual Poetry Contest Anthology will be released and made available for purchase on Amazon. After the reception, the list of winners will also be published on our website and shared across our social media platforms.
Rules for submissions
- You may upload a digital copy of your poem through our online submission form (preferred). Poems that are typed or legibly handwritten will be also be accepted (only if attached to a contest flyer).
- Contest is open to anyone who lives, works, goes to school, or owns property in Anderson County. Residents of surrounding counties, including Abbeville, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens as well as ACLS staff can submit their poem for submission into the anthology, but can not participate in the contest.
- One poem per person.
- The minimum length of a poem is six (6) words. The maximum length is one letter-sized page (12 pt. font, single space printed.)
- Poems will not be proofread. Poems will be printed in the anthology as submitted. Your poem can be right, left, or center justified; we are unable to do formatting beyond that.
- Poems will be judged on originality, creativity, and artistic quality.
- Do not include artwork.
- Poems containing offensive language or themes will be disqualified. Judgment of ‘offensive material’ will be made by the library.
- By submitting a poem, you grant ACLS the right to publish your poem in a poetry anthology and if you place in the contest, your poem may be posted on social media channels and on the Library’s website.