"Emerging Writers, Serious Writers"
since 2009
In the four walls closed,
She's weaving her dreams,
So fragile, she seems,
Still hoping for good.
In her lonesome room,
She is shedding tears,
Does anyone care?
Still caring for all.
The streetlight shares
Its golden snow on
A cool January Night.
The black sky of suburbia
Is its subject as
The flakes are delivered
By concealed storks in flight
Away in the house nearby
I watch,
Endlessly…
Likes the harshness of sunlight. Walk through the sun. You have to go to work by bus. Different passengers are getting off at different stops. Two sidewalk shops are opening and closing in the…
What drew you to the subject matter? What is it about elephants?
An Interview with Michael Miller, winner of the Open Community Poetry Contest, January-March, 2011
by John Winn
Staff Writer
Hennen's Observer
Known as michaelmiller.ic to contributors and visitors to the website hennensobserver.com, Michael Miller Jr. is as mysterious as the allegories he employs. With little more to go on that an arm tattoo…
An interview with H.E. Mantel, winner of the Open Community Poetry Contest (for the period October—December, 2010) conducted February 28, 2011.
by John Winn
Staff Writer
Hennen's Observer
Harold E. Mantel has been a mainstay in the literary community ever since he burst on the scene almost a decade ago. Since then many of his poems and prose,…
by John Winn
Staff Writer
Hennen's Observer
Corruption. Crime. Office politics. Christina Hazelwood has seen it all. The freelance journalist, entrepreneur, and indie filmmaker has had a front row seat watching some of the grittiest and dirtiest moments in our nation's history.
Again the dusk has filled this town with fog a sight I've grown accustomed to; odd shapes and silhouettes become dancers and these cracked calloused streets have become their stage. As they dance a bullfrog belches in the background a light wind rustles…
Submission Period: Jan 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024
Reading Fee: $10.00 for one (1) private submission or $20.00 for (3) private submissions.
What to Submit: This contest is for traditional and non-traditional poems alike.
How to Submit: To submit private entries with the appropriate reading fee, go here.
Prizes:
There will be one winner, one runner-up, and three honorable mentions. The poets and their poems will be announced within 60 days of the end of the contest period. The winner will receive $150, be promoted online, receive extensive exposure through our current distribution channels, productions, and social media outlets (FB and Twitter). The winner will also have a full interview of himself or herself featured on Hennen's Observer's homepage. To see our list of past winners, go here. The runner-up will receive $50 for their work and be published and promoted as well.
How the Contest is Judged and What the Judges are Looking For:
A panel of two judges formed from Hennen's editorial staff and one guest judge (for a total of three judges) will weigh the submissions and will grade the poems on such criteria as: originality, freshness of expression and form, and technical complexity. At the end of the day, powerful poems that "stay with the reader" will win.
Finally, all contest rules and regulations may be subject to change by the editorial staff of Hennen's Observer at any time and without notice. The judges and their immediate family and friends are ineligible to win the quarterly poetry contest due to a conflict in interest.
Thank-you in advance for your submissions and good luck to you!
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Submission Period: Anytime
Reading Fee: $10.00 reading fee for one (1) submission.
What to Submit: We are looking for thoughtfully written essays based on personal life experiences which altered or shaped in some way your attitude about life and/or the universe in general. Essays must be between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Please use specific experiences pertaining to personal circumstances. Submissions that are overtly political or of a blog-type form will not be considered unless they are above partisan ranting.
How to Submit: Submit here.
Prizes: The winning submissions will be featured as the lead essay on our website homepage and be promoted on our other media channels. Compensation will be 10 cents per word.
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Submission Period: Anytime
Reading Fee: $10.00 reading fee for one (1) submission.
What to Submit: A script for a two person play the subject for which is unrestricted. However, we discourage a genre specific script unless the subject matter is approached in an original or inventive way. The finished script should be roughly 10-15 pages in length (double spaced) or 5-10 minutes in length when performed.
How to Submit: Submit here.
Prizes: We will negotiate for chosen scripts. In addition, the winning pieces will be produced into a full audio production and featured in the digital magazine, Hennen's Observer.
