POL Prizes Guidelines

POL Prizes Submission Guidelines

Submissions will be accepted via Submittable through NOVEMBER 8, 2013 at 11:59pm.

Hard copy submissions will be accepted postmarked by NOVEMBER 8, 2013.

Open to poets with or without previous book-length publication.

Two volumes -- the POL Prize winner and the POL Editor’s Prize winner -- will be published by Fordham University Press in 2015, selected by a final judge and the series editor.

Both authors will receive $1,000 and a book launch in the POL Reading Series.

2012-2013 Prize Judge: Susan Wheeler
Series Editor: Elisabeth Frost

ALL MANUSCRIPTS that do not adhere to the following guidelines will be recycled unread. Reading fees are non-refundable.

1. Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, original and in English (no translations)
2. Manuscripts must be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 letter sized paper; pages must be numbered
3. Manuscript length: 50-80 pages
4. Manuscripts should include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments (if applicable)
5. Submit ONE copy of the manuscript (either online OR by mail – see below)
6. No fax submissions. Manuscripts will not be returned or commented upon; no changes can be made after submission
7. Multiple entries are allowed provided each submission complies with these guidelines (including paying a submission fee for each submission)
8. Notify us if another publisher accepts your manuscript after it is submitted to the POL Prizes by updating your status on our online submissions manager and by e-mailing: pol@fordham.edu
9. Poets Out Loud Prizes are NOT open to: students or employees of Fordham University; current or former students or friends of the Prize Judge or Series Editor
10. Entries will be read anonymously
11. The POL Prizes comply with the CLMP code of ethics (see below)

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

-Manuscripts submitted online must have only ONE title page that includes the title of the manuscript only

-The poet’s name should NOT appear anywhere in manuscripts submitted online; any manuscript that includes the author's information will be disqualified

-Manuscripts must be submitted online by 11:59 pm on November 8, 2013

-You will be charged a non-refundable $28 fee ($25 reading fee + $3 online processing)*

-Click here to submit your manuscript online

MAILED SUBMISSIONS

- Manuscripts submitted by mail must have TWO title pages:
(a) one that includes the title, poet's name, address, phone number, e-mail address
(b) one that includes the title of the manuscript only

- The poet's name should appear ONLY on the first title page in manuscripts submitted by mail.

- Manuscripts should be clipped (no staples, please)

- Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than November 8, 2013

- Send a U.S. check or money order for $25 payable to Poets Out Loud.* This is a non-refundable fee.

- Optional: SASE postcard for confirmation that the manuscript has been received

- Mail Submissions to:
Fordham College at Lincoln Center
Poets Out Loud Prizes
113 West 60th Street
Room 924-I
New York, NY 10023

*Note on Fees: While the online submission fee is slightly higher, please keep in mind that submitting online can save you time, printing costs, postage costs, and trees.

JUDGING PROCESS

Manuscripts are read anonymously by a group of qualified poets/critics, all of whom are published, and each of whom is selected with the approval of the final judge and the Series Editor. If a reader recognizes a manuscript or knows its author, that manuscript is forwarded to a different reader or readers. Numbers of initial readers vary from year to year, depending on the process preferred by the final judge. A group of finalist manuscripts is read by the final judge over a period of weeks. In the 2013-2014 prize cycle, Fordham University Press will publish two volumes: the winner, selected by the final judge, and another volume, selected by the Series Editor in consultation with the final judge.

RESULTS

Results will be announced in Spring 2014. Please check www.fordham.edu/pol for notification of winners and finalists.

CLMP CONTEST CODE OF ETHICS

CLMP's community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

Series Editor: Elisabeth Frost

Questions? E-mail us at: pol@fordham.edu

Click here to download full guidelines