CONGRATULATIONS to Patty Dickson Pieczka, of Carbondale, Illinois, whose manuscript Painting the Egret’s Echo has won The Bitter Oleander Press Library of Poetry Book Award for 2012. Judging this year’s competition was Anthony Seidman. Ms. Pieczka’s book will be published by The Bitter Oleander Press in early Autumn of 2013. .

• An award of $1000 plus book publication of the winning manuscript is open to anyone writing in the English language. It is not open to employees or relatives of The Bitter Oleander Press.

• Translations are not eligible for this award.

• Send your entry only through the US Postal Service. Do not send it certified with a return-request receipt. Include a stamped self-addressed postcard for receipt notification purposes.

• No e-mail submissions will be allowed.

• Manuscripts must be typed and range between 48 and 80 pages of poetry in length.

• Use only binder clips or paper clips. No plastic sheets, hard cover binders or loose-leaf binders.

• Manuscripts should be paginated and include a table of contents.

• Poems having previously appeared in journals, chapbooks or anthologies should be included on a separate page listing those acknowledgments.

• Include two (2) cover sheets: One with title and author’s contact information. The other stating the title only. Author’s name must not appear anywhere else in this manuscript.

• Manuscripts must be postmarked between and including the dates of May 1st, 2013 to June 15th, 2013. Any early or later entries will be disallowed and entry fees returned.

• Although results will be posted on our web-site, include a self-addressed stamped business size envelope (SASE) for notification of result if you so wish.

• Manuscripts must include an entry, reading, and processing fee of $25.00. Checks or money orders in U.S. funds made out to The Bitter Oleander Press:

• Due to the high volume of entries, all manuscripts will be recycled except for the winner’s –All entries can expect notification just prior to the 15th of November 2013 –Winning entry can expect publication in the early Autumn of 2014

• The procedures for this Award follow the strict guidelines set forth by CLMP’s (Council of Literary Magazines & Presses) 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.

Any other questions concerning this Award may be forwarded to us by e-mail: info@bitteroleander.com

        The Bitter Oleander Library of Poetry Award–2013 
        The Bitter Oleander Press 
        4983 Tall Oaks Drive 
        Fayetteville, New York 13066-9776 
        USA