Original & Junior Poetry Writing Contests
THE WEDNESDAY CLUB OF ST. LOUIS POETRY CONTESTS
Entry Deadline – February 1, 2026 • Awards Reception – April 8, 2026 at 1:oo pm
ORIGINAL POETRY CONTEST
ELIGIBILITY:
- Adults over 18; living within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis.
- Any person having won first prize in the contest twice within the last five years is ineligible for further cash awards but may be cited for honors.
RULES:
- Submit TWO TYPED COPIES of TWO poems, which have never been published or won an award.
- Use 8 1/2 x 11 paper with no more than one poem to a page. Maximum length for each poem two pages.
- Sign with pseudonym ONLY.
- Type real name, pseudonym, poem titles, address, e-mail address and telephone number on a separate sheet of paper and enclose with poems. No manuscripts returned.
MAIL TO:
Catherine Rankovic
ORIGINAL POETRY CONTEST
3901 Sand Glade Trail
Pacific, MO 63069
EMAIL: Not available at this time
PRIZES: $500, $300, $150
JUDGE: TBD
JUNIOR POETRY CONTEST
ELIGIBILITY:
- High School Students in Grades 9 through 12 in the St. Louis Area
RULES:
- Entries must be submitted through the English Department.
- Entries must be submitted with an English teacher’s signature indicating approval of the content.
- Each student must submit TWO copies of TWO original poems, one per page, signed with a pen name along with one completed official entry form per student.
FOR ENTRY FORMS OR QUESTIONS
Junior Contest Entry Form in Word Format
Junior Contest Entry Form in .pdf Format
MAIL TO:
STUDENT PRIZES: $200, $150, $100, $80, $50, and up to five $25 honorable mentions
TEACHER AWARDS: $200, $150, $100
(Applies to teachers of first three student winners)
JUDGE: TBD