Youth Poetry Contest
at the North Branch Area Library
North Branch Area Library holds an annual youth poetry contest every spring for kids across the region. Youth in grades K- 12th are encouraged to participate.
2023 North Branch Area Library Youth Poetry Contest
The North Branch Area Library invites young poets from around the region to participate in the annual Poetry Contest!
This contest is sponsored by the Friends of the North Branch Area Library.
To view last year’s entries and winners, view the eBooks created for previous years’ contests: Heroes (2022), Stuck at Home (2021), and Family Reflections (2020)
How to Participate:
The contest takes place in April. Each year, poets in Kindergarten-12th grade are invited to write and submit a poem based on a theme.
This year’s theme is: Hear My Voice
Contest age groups are: K-2nd grade, 3-5th grade, 6-8th grade, 9-12th grade
Prizes:
One $20 cash prize will be awarded to the best poem in each age group.
Additional cash prizes will be given out by random drawing.
Contest timeline:
Contest entries are due by 6pm on Friday, April 21.
Judging for the contest will take place on Saturday, April 22nd.
Winners will be announced on Monday, April 24th.
Poetry Writing Workshop:
The library will hold a poetry writing workshop on Saturday, April 1 at 1:30pm. We will read some poems, learn about different types of poetry, and workshop ideas together.
Contest Reception:
The library will hold a casual, drop-in reception from 5-7pm on Tuesday, April 25th with refreshments and some poetry-related activities.
If your entry is selected as a winner, or your name is drawn in the random drawing, you can pick up your prize on this day.
Contest eBook:
Contest entries will be published in an eBook that will be published through MN Writes, MN Reads and will be submitted into the Indie Author Project collection
Poetry Contest Submission Form
Complete the form below to submit your poem. Remember, all entries are due by 6pm on Friday, April 21, 2023.