If you would like to suggest a competition to add to the list, or if you notice a scam competition on the list, please leave a comment below.
As always, before submitting a poem to a competition, check its rules and regulations thoroughly, and get multiple third-parties’ opinions on the competition to guard against scams.
Selected poetry competitions, 2009
| Name | Details and contact | Elig. | Deadline |
| Essex Poetry Festival 9th Open Poetry Competition |
|
- | 30 July |
| Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2009 |
|
11-17 years of age | 31 July |
| 7th Annual Ipswich Poetry Feast International Poetry Competition |
|
Various age categories | 31 July |
| Donn Goodwin Poetry Prize |
|
- | 1 Aug |
| Joseph Gahagen Poetry Prize |
|
Wisconsin residents | 1 Aug |
| Memoir (and) Prize in Prose or Poetry |
|
- | 15 Aug |
| Tom Howard/John H. Reid Poetry Contest |
|
- | 30 Sept |
| National Poetry Competition 2009 |
|
At least 17 years old | 31 Oct |
Poetry competition directories
| Directory | Notes |
| The Poetry Kit’s Poetry Competitions list | - |
| Winning Writer’s Best Free Poetry Contests | Free membership required |
| dmoz’s Contests: Poetry category | - |
Sonetti - a free e-book showcase of modern sonnets by poets from all walks of life - is now available for embedding or downloading!

