knoxville writers’ guild seeks edgy poems from high school students

The Knoxville Writers Guild wants area high school students to become edgy, take dangerous chances with the English language, and push the language to its limits in composing poems for its annual Young Writers’ Award for Poetry.

So says Pam Strickland, Contests Chair for KWG.  Winners can win one of three cash prizes: $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place. Submissions will be accepted until March 15, and all high school students qualify, Strickland said.

There is no entry fee. “Writers in all fields say that poetry teaches precision and nuance with the language. We want students to show us that they can think creatively and critically. We want them to write poems that show us how they view life,” Strickland said.

Writers should send their entries to KWG Young Writers’ Award for Poetry, Awards Office, The Knoxville Writers’ Guild, P.O. Box 10326,  Knoxville, TN 37939

Each entry may include up to three typed poems totaling 100 lines or fewer. There is only one entry per student, and there are no restrictions as to style or content.

There should be no identifying information on the poems themselves; a cover sheet must be attached with the contest name and the student's name, address, and phone number, as well as the name of their school name, address and phone number (except in the case of home-schooled students).

The Guild will announce winners and runners-up in April. Winners will attend and receive honors at a celebration called the Writers’ Guild Gala the afternoon of Saturday, April 26 at St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Broadway in Knoxville.

For more information go to knoxvillewritersguild.org, or contact Strickland at 865-386-0805 or pamstrickland@mac.com.