Our next, the tenth annual Orchard Street Press Poetry Contest, marks the return of an event that, in its first nine seasons, has produced some wonderful poetry and nine editions of Quiet Diamonds (QD), our annual journal that grows in reputation with each passing year. We are especially pleased to announce that the Contest entry fee remains at $15.
To recognize this important anniversary Contest, the awards for the prize-winning poems are being increased: $1,000 for First (and the Malovrh-Fenlon Poetry Prize), $700 for Second, and $500 for Third. In addition to the prize-winning poems, the total number of poems accepted for QD will be increased to at least fifty. There will also be some ‘special features’ in QD ’27, and we will again select entrants to be invited to submit chapbooks for possible publication by The Press.
It has been a joy to interact with so many writers from across the country through the Contest and through the books and chapbooks we publish. To date, we have produced chapbooks by poets from 36 different states. In the nine editions of Quiet Diamonds, we have published poems by 175 poets from 42 states. We have been heartened by this and by the sheer power of poetry to engage and enhance life and to rise above the trials of this world.
Please consider submitting poems to the 2027 Contest. It would be our pleasure to read your work, and we look forward to that opportunity. Contest particulars are described below.
Entering the 2027 Poetry Contest
Poets should submit poems and the $15 fee to: The Orchard Street Press; P.O. Box 280; Gates Mills, Ohio 44040. Entries can also be submitted here:
Submission details: Submit up to four original, unpublished poems (no translations and no single poem longer than two pages). Poems should be typed and should not include the poet’s name on the page. The poet should also send a cover letter (listing the poems, a brief ‘writing bio,’ and the poet’s full contact information—including phone, mailing address, and email) and a SASE for results (for hard mail submissions).
Deadline for submissions is April 30 (postmark or online). Feel free to email or call if you have questions:
