National Federation Contests

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies hold 50 contests each year, many of which are for members only. NMSPS members are eligible for all 50 (one is for youth only). All entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2012. For more information, visit the NMFSPS website

NMSPS Contests

** Poems submitted to NMSPS contests must be original and cannot have won cash prizes. **

Convention Kitty Contest

Help us prepare for the 2013 National Federation Convention!!

Only $1 per poem, maximum of 15 poems per entrant per contest. The NMSPS will award half the pot (up to $100) to three prizewinners in the following proportions:

1st Prize: 50%    -    2nd Prize: 30%    -    3rd Prize: 20%

Each contest will also name three Honorable Mentions. Prizewinning poems and HMs will be published in a unique anthology/poets' idea book in early 2013; HMs may opt out of publication and choose instead to include only their names and poem titles. Prizewinners and HMs will receive a complimentary copy of the publication.

Maximum of 40 lines. Include two machine-generated copies (no handwritten entries or illustrations, please), one with Contest number, contest theme, and poem title in upper left corner. On the second copy, place Contest number, theme, and poem title at left; on the right, place your (1) name, (2) mailing address, (3) telephone number, and (4) email address. If a poem goes to a second page, please label pages appropriately.

Please include a cover page with the contact information requested above. On the cover page, state the Contest number and theme. State the total number of poems you are submitting and list them by title.

Include SASE for the list of winners, which will also be published on our website. Poems will not be returned to entrants. Check or money order made out to NMSPS. Postmark by the indicated deadlines. Do not send by any method requiring a signature. Please mail to:

NMSPS (Poetry Contest)
P.O. Box 1352
Los Lunas, NM 87031

If you have questions, please contact us at apply@nmpoetry.com.

Because these are quarterly contests, we are going with "The Four___" themes, but think outside the box; i.e., the Four Seasons were also a rock band associated with Frankie Valli. You don't have to include all four parts of each theme; that means, for Contest 3, your theme could be Westward, Ho!

All contests accept any form or free verse, 40 lines maximum.

• Contest 1, postmark by 1 March 2012: Theme: The Four Ages (childhood, youth, maturity, old age)
• Contest 2, postmark by 1 July 2012: Theme: The Four Elements (water, fire, earth, air)
• Contest 3, postmark by 1 October 2012: Theme: The Four Directions, or Four Winds
• Contest 4, postmark by 1 January 2013: Theme: Up "Four" Grabs. You choose a theme related to "Four," but note the reference on each poem for our contest judge. This allows you to split the themes. For example you may submit a poem on The Four Seasons, another on the Four Marx Brothers, or one on Quarters or Quartets.

NMSPS members, please note. If your poems do not place in the contest, you may still enter your poems for the members' section of the idea book. An anonymous panel will review your poems and, if necessary, help you get them ready for publication. So, you get free coaching and a chance of publication. If you choose this option, please print NMSPS MEMBER on the cover page, and your entries will be sent to our panel when the contest is over. If you are not a resident of New Mexico, you are welcome to join our Society as an at-large member. Click on Membership on this website.