The Epic Poetry Contest

Details

One thing we don't see as often in poetry anymore is the epic. Back in the good old days, poets would dash off epics left and right, but the trend seems to have dwindled as of late. So, we're bringing it back in style: if you haven't guessed yet, this month you'll be writing an epic!

There's no shortage of ways to write epics, so we're going to narrow it down a bit to something called "heroic verse." For the purposes of this contest, your epic poem will be:

• A narrative
• In rhyming couplets (each pair of lines must rhyme)
• In iambic pentameter (each line contains 5 iambic feet... read more about this at poetry boot camp)
• Between 1000 and 2000 words (because we don't have time to read 100 Iliads!)

And since epic poems are epic in scope, this month's contest will be epic in length and epic in prizes. Entries are due by June 30, 2009, and first place scores $100!

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

Rules

• Your entry must be an original piece of narrative poetry between 1000 and 2000 words conforming to our style guidelines detailed above.

• Entries must be received by June 30, 2009, and winners will be announced by May 15, 2009. Scribophile staff reserves the right to disqualify any contest entry for any reason and to change the terms of the contest for any reason.

• Entries will be judged by the Scribophile staff, taking into consideration the ratings given by Scribophile members. Decisions are final.

• Only one entry is allowed per member. Multiple entries will all be disqualified.

Submission guidelines

• To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and tag it with "epic contest" (without quotes). Your work will automatically be considered.

• Email submissions will not be accepted.