Press 53 Award for Poetry
Open April 1 – July 31
Dates for submission: April 1, 2016—July 31, 2016.
Submissions will close at midnight Eastern Standard Time
on July 31. (Note: Deadline can be extended at the
discretion of Press 53.)
Winner and Finalists announced: The winner of the
Press 53 Award for Poetry will be announced on or before
November 1, 2016, on the Press 53 website, and via email,
Facebook, and Twitter. We will also include a list of finalists.
Award: The author of the winning manuscript will receive
a cash advance of $1,000, publication of the manuscript in
April 2017 as a Tom Lombardo Poetry Selection under a
standard Press 53 book contract, a 1/4-page color ad in
Poets & Writers magazine, and 10 copies of the completed
book with an option to purchase unlimited copies at a
discount for as long as the book is in print.
book with an option to purchase unlimited copies at a
discount for as long as the book is in print.
How to submit:
ONLINE: Press 53 will take electronic submissions via Submittable,
your online submissions manager, by clicking on the submit
button at the top or bottom of this page.
your online submissions manager, by clicking on the submit
button at the top or bottom of this page.
MAIL: Send one printed copy of your manuscript. Include
one cover sheet with the title of your entry and your contact
information, and mail to Press 53, 560 N. Trade Street,
Suite 103, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
one cover sheet with the title of your entry and your contact
information, and mail to Press 53, 560 N. Trade Street,
Suite 103, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Reading fee: A reading fee of $30 must be paid for each
entry. Reading fees are nonrefundable.
entry. Reading fees are nonrefundable.
Judging: Press 53 Poetry Series Editor Tom Lombardo will
be the only judge of the contest; the contest will be judged
solely on the strength of the poems as a collection.
be the only judge of the contest; the contest will be judged
solely on the strength of the poems as a collection.
Eligibility: The competition is open to manuscripts written
in the English language from writers at all levels who live in
the United States. Note: Authors and editors who work for
Press 53 or have published a book with Press 53 are not
eligible to enter.
in the English language from writers at all levels who live in
the United States. Note: Authors and editors who work for
Press 53 or have published a book with Press 53 are not
eligible to enter.
Manuscript Guidelines:
1. Manuscripts should be no less than 60 pages and no more
than 120 pages in length. We do not favor one length over
the other. We are only concerned with the quality of the
manuscript..
than 120 pages in length. We do not favor one length over
the other. We are only concerned with the quality of the
manuscript..
2. The author’s name should not appear on the manuscript;
include manuscript name and contact information on a
separate cover letter.
include manuscript name and contact information on a
separate cover letter.
3. Manuscript pages should be numbered.
4. Include a table of contents; an acknowledgments page
is not necessary.
is not necessary.
5. Use a standard, easy-to-read font such as 12-point Times
New Roman, Garamond, etc.
New Roman, Garamond, etc.
6. Poems previously published in journals, magazines or
anthologies, and poems that have won awards, may be
included in the manuscript. Poems previously published
in chapbooks are fine, but please do not include the chapbook
as a section in the manuscript.
anthologies, and poems that have won awards, may be
included in the manuscript. Poems previously published
in chapbooks are fine, but please do not include the chapbook
as a section in the manuscript.
7. Previously published collections are not eligible, including
self-published collections available as ebooks or in print.
self-published collections available as ebooks or in print.
8. Authors may submit more than one manuscript to the
competition for consideration. Each submission will require
a separate reading fee.
competition for consideration. Each submission will require
a separate reading fee.
9. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please
withdraw your manuscript if it is accepted by another
publisher. Withdrawal can be completed via Submittable.
Reading fees are not refundable.
withdraw your manuscript if it is accepted by another
publisher. Withdrawal can be completed via Submittable.
Reading fees are not refundable.
10. Confirmation of receipt will be sent via e-mail by
Submittable immediately after submission. An announce-
ment of our shortlist and winner will be sent to all entrants
via email through Submittable, and posted on the Press 53
website, blog, Facebook and Twitter on the dates indicated
above.
Submittable immediately after submission. An announce-
ment of our shortlist and winner will be sent to all entrants
via email through Submittable, and posted on the Press 53
website, blog, Facebook and Twitter on the dates indicated
above.
If you have any questions or concerns other than technical
issues with the submissions manager, please contact
editor@press53.com
issues with the submissions manager, please contact
editor@press53.com