Open Community Poetry Contest
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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Essay Contest
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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Audio Play Script Contest
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.