Cannon Poets

Poetry Competition

The Cannon Poets SONNET OR NOT Competition 2012 is now open. The closing date for entries was 31st October 2012.

Cannon Poets are pleased to announce the return of their popular SONNET OR NOT Competition. You are invited to write a poem or poems of just fourteen lines in length. You may choose any one of the traditional sonnet forms, or experiment with alternative 14 line forms perhaps using half rhyme, metarhyme or blank verse.

1st Prize £300

2nd Prize £150

3rd Prize £100

Submit at least one poem with the correct fee to become eligible for one year subscription to The Cannon’s Mouth [in which winning entries and the judge's report will be published] discounted from the usual £10.50 to £8.50.

An entry will consist of one 14 line poem typed on a sheet of A4 paper [please use at least 12 point typeface]. Please ensure that each entry has its own title. There is no limit to the number of entries providing the fees are paid. Several entry forms may be used if necessary. The entry fee is £4.00 for the first poem and £2.50 for each additional poem submitted.

The final judge will be Julie Boden. Julie is a UK poet, based in the Midlands, who travels nationally and internationally delivering workshops, conducting readings, performing, lecturing, mentoring and judging poetry competitions. She is currently Poet in Residence at Symphony Hall Birmingham [website: www.julieboden.co.uk].

Closing Date for entries is 31st October 2012 

Not more than one prize will be awarded per entrant.

Please attach one completed entry form containing the titles of the poems you are submitting, together with the appropriate entry fee. Photocopied entry forms will be accepted.

Each poem should be on a separate sheet of A4 paper, typed or word-processed in no smaller than 12 point typeface, and must include ONLY the poem and its title. Do not include your name. Poems must be 14 lines in length.

If you would like an acknowledgement and/or a list of winning entries, please supply a stamped addressed envelope with your entries [see entry form]. The inclusion of one envelope only will be taken as a request for a list of winning entries unless endorsed 'Acknowledgement'.

Please keep a copy of your work, as entries cannot be returned.

Entries must be entirely the work of the individual and must not have been previously published, nor won a prize in a competition.

The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Entries remain the copyright of the author and may be used by Cannon Poets for publicity purposes until December 2013. All winners will be published, together with the judge’s assessment, in our magazine ‘The Cannon’s Mouth’ and on our website.

Members of Cannon Poets who are not in any way involved in the organisation and judging of the competition are eligible to enter. Winners will be announced by 31 December 2012.Entries must be received on or before 31 October 2012 together with £4.00 [Sterling] entry fee for the first poem and £2.50 for each additional poem submitted. Please make cheques payable to Cannon Poets.

Entrants must be 18 years or over.

First name                                                           OFFICE USE ONLY

Surname or Family Name                                         Author Number

Contact Address                                                    No. of poems submitted

Postcode                                                             Amount paid £

Telephone (daytime)                                              Eligible

Email                                                                   Not Eligible [Reason]

Title of Poem                  [£4 for first entry,£2.50 each  additional poem]
                                                                               £ 4.00
                                                                               £ 
                                                                               £
                                                                               £
The Cannon’s Mouth subscription @ £8.50                       £ ________
                                                                     TOTAL £

Method of payment Cheque [£ Sterling only] / Postal Order [payable to Cannon Poets] / Cash / Other [tick one]. Do not send cash by post.
I have read and agree to the competition rules.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….
 Please acknowledge my entry [Endorsed SAE enclosed.]
 Please supply a list of winning entries [SAE enclosed.]

Where did you hear about this competition? Please tick
Direct contact from Cannon Poets 
The Cannon’s Mouth Magazine 
Cannon Poets Website 
Orbis Competition Bulletin 
Entry form from Public Library 
Other [please specify] 

Special Offer

We are offering a reduced annual subscription to The Cannon’s Mouth when you submit at least one poem with correct fee for the Sonnet or Not 2012 competition [£8.50 instead of usual £10.50].

Postage

Within the UK, an A5 envelope with up to 12 sheets in it should be under 100g and therefore only needs a first or second class stamp, i.e. it is NOT classed as a 'large' letter.

Please post completed form with poems and correct fee to:

Cannon Poets,
22 Margaret Grove,
Harborne,
Birmingham B17 9JH

See winning entries of the 2011 competition here: