Poets in the greater Spokane area have an opportunity to participate in a national writing contest.
The Sandpoint, ID publisher Lost Horse Press is now accepting entries for their annual Idaho Prize for Poetry competition. One winner will receive $1,000 in cash and get his or her book-length collection of poems published.
A press release sent out by Lost Horse Press Publisher Christine Holbert provides all the details and explains how to enter.
According to the press release, "Lost Horse Press is now taking submissions for the Idaho Prize for Poetry 2013. All US poets are eligible. Entries must be postmarked by May 15, 2013. Winners will be announced on August 15, 2013.
"An entry fee of $25—check or money order—must accompany the mailed manuscript, or $27.50 via PayPal if you chose to submit your manuscript online using Submittable.com. The final judge for the 2013 contest is poet and publisher, Sam Hamill."
Lost Horse Press is asking poets to send manuscripts of 48 or more pages of poetry. There should be no more than one poem per page According to their guidelines, fonts should be easily readable and no smaller than 12 point type.
"Poems may have appeared in journals and chapbooks, but not in full-length, single-author collections," the press release added.
The poet's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and the title of the poetry collection may only appear on a cover letter included with the submission.
According to the press release, "The goal is 'blind' judging. The author’s name should not appear anywhere in manuscript except the cover letter."
There are some other guidelines that entrants should follow.
"All checks or money orders for entry fee—$25—should be made payable to Lost Horse Press," the press release said. "Submissions without a reading fee enclosed will not be considered. A $50 fee will be charged for returned checks.
"Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (number #10 business envelope) with sufficient postage for notification of the finalists and the winner. Manuscripts will be recycled. We are sorry but manuscripts cannot be returned.
"If manuscripts arrive postage due, they will be returned.
"Use white, lightweight paper. Quality paper won’t impress readers the way a quality manuscript will.
"Print on one side only. Type—no handwriting should appear anywhere on the manuscript."
To participate in the competition, mail submissions to The Idaho Prize, Lost Horse Press, 105 Lost Horse Lane, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Entrants who would prefer to use Submittable must follow similar rules.
According to the press release, "The manuscript title, your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address should be in your cover letter, separate from your manuscript. Be sure your name is not anywhere in the manuscript itself.
"[There are] no restriction on content, style, or subject—we’re looking for the best writing.
"To submit online, please go to: http://losthorsepress.submittable.com/submit."
If the best writers this year come from the Spokane area, this could be a great opportunity for local poets and authors to gain exposure.
According to the Lost Horse Press website, "In addition to announcements in national publications, the winning book and author will be featured on the Lost Horse Press website, along with a list of the finalists, as well as in the catalog of our distributor, the University of Washington Press."
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