The Smalls Too

A big contest for small poems and prose.

Announcing a statewide CWC poetry and prose contest beginning on February 15 – March 15, inviting your submissions of 8-line poems or 75-word prose.

AWARDS

First Place $100
Second Place $50
Third Place $25

Winning and selected poems/prose will also appear in a forthcoming publication.

Billy Collins, past Poet Laureate of the U.S.A writes in his book, Musical Tables, “Whenever I pick up a new book of poems. I flip through the pages, looking for small ones. Just as I might trust an abstract painter more if I knew he or she could draw a credible chicken, I have faith in poets who can go short.”

Here is an example of one of his poems from this book:

Falling Asleep

Walking backwards
into a dark forest,

I sweep my footprints
out of existence

with a large
weightless branch

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Submission period is February 15 to March 15
$10 submission fee for CWC members, $20 for non-members
Maximum 8 lines per poem (please no Haiku or Tanka)
In addition to the 8 line poems, we will be accepting prose of 75 words or less.
This contest invites participation from writers of all genres. Any combination of prose and poetry in your submission is welcome.
Maximum 3 poems or prose pieces (or a combination) can be submitted
Typeface: Times New Roman 12-point font
Format submission in a Microsoft Word document
Multiple poems or prose pieces must be submitted in a single document
Each submission must have a title
Submissions must be the unpublished original work of author
Author name cannot appear in the Word Doc

Judges

Les Bernstein, head judge, is an award-winning poet and anthologist whose poems have appeared in journals and anthologies in the United States and internationally. Her full-length book, Loose Magic, was reviewed by the Los Angeles Review of Books and is available on Amazon.

Robin Gabbert has poems published in local, state, and international anthologies. Her books include—The Clandestine Life of Paintings, in Poems and a new book Somehow, I Haven’t Drowned published by Blue Light Press. www.robingabbert.com

For questions, please contact Les Bernstein at lessieb13@yahoo.com

The Smalls Too: A BIG Contest for Small Poems & Prose

Enter your small poems and/or prose here.

Name

First

Last

Primary CWC Branch

If you are a CWC member, please indicate your branch.

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Title(s) of Poem or Prose Submission(s)

You may enter up to three poems or prose pieces. Please list each title, separated by a comma. Note: All submissions must be included in one Word Document.

Upload Submission

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Please submit all entries on one Word .doc or .docx file. Please include the title of your first poem or prose piece, and make sure your name is not part of the file name. (Please don't use titles like "small poem.docx.")

Biography

Please enter a 50-word bio in third person.

By submitting your writing, you give us permission to share your entry on our social media and marketing channels.

I understand and agree.

Payment

I will pay the $10 submission entry fee via credit card or PayPal. (scroll down for payment)
I will pay the $10 submission entry fee via check to California Writers Club, PO Box 70203, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.
(for nonmembers of CWC) I will pay the $20 submission entry fee via credit card or PayPal. (scroll down for payment)
(for nonmembers of CWC) I will pay the $20 submission entry fee via check to California Writers Club, PO Box 70203, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

The Smalls Too: A BIG Contest for Small Poems & Prose

The Smalls Too

A big contest for small poems and prose.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Judges

Pay $10 Submission Fee ($20 Nonmember) with PayPal or credit card.