Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Poetry Contest!
1st Place: Lorinda Boyer for Silent Spaces
2nd Place: Linda Steele for That Sounds Like Silence
3rd Place: Linda Stewart Henley for Waiting for Snow
Click each link above to read the winning entry.
Story Circle Network expresses deep appreciate to Linda Hoye, contest coordinator, and all the jurors and judges who worked hard to make this contest a success.
2024 Topic: Silence
“The human heart has hidden treasures,
In secret kept, in silence sealed;–
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures,
Whose charms were broken if revealed.”
~Charlotte Bronte
“Silence is more musical than any song.”
~Christina Rossetti
“Women need space and silence. We too quickly give away our energy. There's something about holding that richness.”
~Natalie Goldberg
Awards
One prize of $100, one prize of $75, and one prize of $50 will be awarded. The first-place post will be published in the Story Circle Journal and all winning poems will be featured on SCN's website. Upon the judges' recommendation, other entries may be published in later issues of the Journal and in other SCN print or online publications. An award may be withheld if, in the opinion of the judges, no entry achieves the expected standard. The judges' decision is final.
Rules
- You must be a dues-paying member of Story Circle Network to enter. (To join, use our online membership form; you can pay online or mail your check to the address below.)
- The $25 entry fee can be paid online or by check.
- One entry per member.
- To be eligible, your entry must be unpublished. We define a "published" piece as one that has been reviewed and accepted by an editor, either for a print or an online publication.
- Each entry must be titled, and no longer than 40 lines.
- Story Circle Network does not provide a platform for targeted political or religious argument, and such entries are not eligible.
- Story Circle Network does not accept work created (in whole or in part) using Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated text. Submissions found to be crafted using computer-generated text of any kind will be disqualified.
- Winners' posts must be available for publication in the Journal.
- You must submit your entry to us electronically by using our online form [see below].
- By submitting your poem, you are giving Story Circle the right to publish it in the Journal, in its other print publications, and on its website. However, authors retain copyright.
- Prize winners in our writing competitions are ineligible to enter the same competition in the year following a win. You are, however, invited to serve as a jury member that year.
Criteria and Judging
We’re looking for entries that are fresh and original, responsive to the topic, rich in detail, and been polished and carefully proofread
Deadline
Both your entry and your entry fee must be RECEIVED (if by USPS) or date-stamped (if online) NO LATER THAN midnight ET on the deadline date. No exceptions will be made. If sending your payment by mail, allow ample time for delivery.
Notification
Winners will be notified when the judging is concluded.
How to Enter
The 2024 poetry contest is now closed. Check back in 2025.
Questions? Contact us via email: storycircle@storycircle.org or post: Story Circle Network, 723 W University Ave #300-234, Georgetown TX 78626
