www.cavecanempoets.org/pages/pdfs/Competition_Guidelines.pdf

Guidelines

Award: Winner receives $1,000, publication by Graywolf Press, 15 copies of the book and a feature reading. Two finalists receive introductory readings.
Final Judge: Yusef Komunyakaa. Judge reserves the right not to select a winner.

Eligibility: African American writers who have not had a full‐length book of poetry published by a professional press. Authors of chapbooks and self‐published books with a maximum print run of 500 may apply. Simultaneous submission to other awards should be noted: immediate notice upon winning an award is required.

Deadline: Reading period begins March 16, 2009. Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2009, and received in Cave Canem’s office no later than May 8, 2009, 5 pm. To be notified that your manuscript has been received, enclose a stamped, self‐addressed postcard.

Winner announced in September 2009.

Entry Fee: $15. Enclose check with submission, made payable0to Cave Canem Foundation.

Entry fees are non‐refundable.

Direct packet to:
Cave Canem Foundation
Cave Canem Poetry Prize
584 Broadway, Suite 508
New York, New York 10012

Submission

Send three copies of a single manuscript. One manuscript per poet allowed. Enclose a stamped, self‐addressed envelope to receive notification of results. Author’s name should not appear on any pages within the manuscript. Copy One must include a title page with the author’s brief bio (200 words, maximum) and contact information: author’s name, postal address, e‐mail address and telephone number. Copies Two and Three must include a cover sheet with the title only. Manuscript must be typed single sided with a minimum font size of 11, paginated and 50‐75 pages in length. A poem may be multiple pages, but no more than one poem per page is permitted. Manuscript must include a table of contents and list of acknowledgments of previously published poems. Manuscript must be unbound. Use a binder clip—do not staple or fold. Do not include illustrations or images of any kind. Manuscripts not adhering to submission guidelines willC2be discarded without notice to sender. Due to the volume of submissions, manuscripts will not be returned. Post‐submission revisions or corrections are not permitted.