www.comstockreview.org/nilescompetition.html

Winner receives $1,000
and 50 copies of chapbook
Each entrant also receives a copy of the winning chapbook.

Entry Fee is $25 per Chapbook

Deadline: Postmark September 30, 2009
Contest 2009 Final Judge: Kathleen Bryce Niles
All chapbooks are screened by the editors of The Comstock Review

Submit Manuscripts only between August 1 & September 30 to:

Chapbook Contest, 4956 St. John Drive, Syracuse, NY 13215.

RULES

1. Submissions must be unpublished as a collection, but individual poems may have been previously published in journals. We will consider simultaneous submissions as long as the poet notifies us immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
2. Submit 25-34 pages of poetry, one single-spaced page equals 38 lines maximum, including spacing between lines. Poems may run longer than 1 page.
3. Do not count title page, acknowledgments, dedication, or bio in the page count Manuscripts either too short or too long will be disqualified.
4. Do not send illustrations, photos, or any other graphics attached to the poems. You may submit a table of contents, which may list the manuscript name only, not the poet’s name (not counted in page total for manuscript). Manuscripts should be paginated and secured with a binder clip; no staples or plastic covers.
5. Include 2 cover pages: 1 with manuscript title, poet’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address; second with title only.
6. List acknowledgments on a separate, removable page with same identifying information. Acknowledgement page is not sent to screening editors.
7. Poet’s name should not appear on poems.
8. Include #10 SASE for results only. NO manuscripts will be returned.

GUIDELINES: & GENERAL INFORMATION:

*Words of Explanation have been added due to numerous e-mail requests. We don’t mean to be confusing!

* PAGE LENGTH: Poems may be more than one page but each page should not contain more than 38 lines & spaces. Title of poem is not counted in poem’s length on a page. Poems should not be double spaced. Total amount of pages of poetry should be between 25 and 34 pages.
(Do not count title page, acknowledgements, dedication or bio in the page length. Do not send illustrations, photos or any other graphics attached to the poems.)

Initial and final judging will be “blind.” The manuscript is judged on its own merits, not publication credits or name of author.
Identifying cover sheet and acknowledgement page will be removed before submission to any of the judges. However, it is important that previously published poems are credited on the removable acknowledgement sheet.
(*None of these pages will be counted in manuscript length)
Simultaneous submissions are acceptable as long as the poet notifies us immediately upon acceptance elsewhere so his or her manuscript does not keep another from the finalists sent to the judge.
You may choose to list the TITLE ONLY of the chapbook on all pages of your submission. (*This does not count in 38 lines of “poetry.”)
You may submit a Table of Contents, which can list the manuscript name only — not the poet’s name. (*Again, not counted in length of manuscript.)
We request a binder clip for ease of separation. No staples or plastic covers please.
Be sure to keep your address current until after publication so you can be notified or receive a copy of the winning chapbook.
Winner notified by end of December 2009.
Results, including winner and top finalists, will be listed on web site by date of notification of winner.
We will consult with winner before publication about details of publication.
Chapbook will be 5 1/2 x 8″, professionally printed and saddled-stitched.
Publication in Spring of 2010 will meet standards of The Comstock Review and Editor Emerita, Kathleen Bryce Niles