Poetry Prizes

Participate in Our Poetry Contests

Erskine J. Poetry Prize

Enter your poems in the 24th annual prize today! All poems submitted for the prize will be considered for publication in Smartish Pace. Therefore, it is possible to have your poems selected for an issue of Smartish Pace even if they do not win the Erskine J. Poetry Prize. Winning poet receives $200. Top three poets and all finalists (usually about 10) are published in Smartish Pace. Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Submit 3 poems and bio along with a $10 entry fee. You may enter more than once (e.g. 6 poems, $20). Deadline: February 1st, annually, with winning poems published in April. 2023 prize results: 1st Patricia Davis-Muffett, 2nd Adam O. Davis, 3rd Jared Harél. Finalists: Allison Field Bell, Moira Egan, Rick Hilles, Laura Reece Hogan, A.M. Juster. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31. 

Postal Submissions:

Submit 3 unpublished poems, bio, and $10 entry fee (cash or check to "Smartish Pace"). Include your name, address and e-mail. Send to:

Smartish Pace
2221 Lake Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21213

Stephen Reichert looks forward to reading all of the poems submitted for the Erskine J. Poetry Prize!

Beullah Rose Poetry Prize

Enter your poems in the 21st annual prize today! All poems submitted for the prize will be considered for publication in Smartish Pace. Therefore, it is possible to have your poems selected for an issue of Smartish Pace even if they do not win the Beullah Rose Poetry Prize. Winning poet receives $200. Top three poets and all finalists (usually about 10) are published in Smartish Pace. This contest is open to women writers only. Submit 3 poems and bio along with a $10 entry fee. You may enter more than once (e.g. 6 poems, $20). Deadline: February 1st, annually, with winning poems published in April. 2023 prize results: 1st Whitney Walton, 2nd Emily Schulten, 3rd Carolyn Oliver. Finalists: Jessica Bowdoin, Susan Leary, Amy Ratto Parks. All poems were published in Smartish Pace, Issue 31.

Postal Submissions:

Submit 3 unpublished poems, bio, and $10 entry fee (cash or check to "Smartish Pace"). Include your name, address and e-mail. Send to:

Smartish Pace
2221 Lake Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21213

Clare Banks and Traci O'Dea looks forward to reading the poems submitted for the Beullah Rose Poetry Prize!