35th Annual Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest

Welcome all Poets

This contest began in 1972 and is sponsored by the Midwest Writing Center a non-profit organization.  The contest's mission is to encourage the writing and appreciation of poetry.

2008 AWARDS NIGHT IS MAY 17, 2008  AT 7:00 P.M. AT BUTTERWORTH CENTER, 1105 8TH ST., MOLINE, ILLINOIS

WINNING AND HONORABLE MENTION POEMS ARE PRESENTED BY PROFESSIONAL READERS.  AWARDS NIGHT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  AWARDS ARE MAILED TO THOSE NOT PRESENT.

Contest Rules:

1. All poems compete for the grand prize.

2. Each adult poet may submit from one to five poems for a fee of $10.00.  The student fee for one to five poems is $5.00.

3. Poems entered in the contest must not have been previously published and must be the original work of the submitter.

4. The same poem may not be submitted in more than one category.

5. Adults must type each poem.  Your name and address should appear in the top left-hand corner of the page.  IMPORTANT: In the top right-hand corner list the category you are entering (such as "Adult General"). Clip together poems of with length of more than one page.   If you do not choose to enter one or more of the special categories mark you entry "Adult General"

6. Students print grade and school as of September 2007.  IMPORTANT: Students may enter up to five typed or  written poems ONLY in their student category.

7. Include the fee (cash or check) with the poems you submit.  Fees pay the cost of awards, printing, postage, advertising, and other expenses.

8. Mail your poems and fee to the Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 3188, Rock Island, IL 61204 or hand deliver to the Midwest Writing Center, 225 E. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa during normal working hours.

9. Poems must be submitted no later than April 1, 2008.

10.  Winners will be notified prior to the Awards Night.

11.  Each poem submitted will be read and examined for style and content at least twice.  Winning poetry will be read several times.

12.  A list of winners will be provided if requested and you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

IMPORTANT: If you do not choose to enter one or more of the special categories, mark your entry "ADULT GENERAL."

Special Categories and Prize Money:

1. Mississippi Valley: Poems describing any aspect of the region. Prize: $25
2. Senior Citizen: Any subject by a poet aged 60 and over. Prize: $25
3. Religious: Any theme, any format. Prize: $25
4. Humorous: Any theme. No jingles, please. Prize $25
5. Haiku: Traditional form. Prize: $25
6. Rhyming: Any subject. Prize: $25
7. Ethnic: Any aspect of ethnicity, culture, customs, history. Prize: $25

Awards of merit and honorable mention in each category but no cash prize.



Student Awards

• High School: $25
• Middle School: $25
• Elementary School: $25

Adult General Prize Money

• 1st Place: $125
• 2nd Place: $100
• 3rd Place: $75

Major Awards::

• 1st Grand Prize: $250
• 2nd Grand Prize: $150

For more information, contact the Midwest Writing Center @ 563.324.1410 or e-mail mwc@midwestwritingcenter.org

This year's sponsors are the River Cities' Reader and Sam's Club Foundation.