threecandlespress.com/OB2008.htm

Three candles press is pleased to announce the second Three Candles Press Open Book Award for the best book of poems by a poet in any stage of his or her career. The contest will be judged by Deborah Keenan, whose most recent book is Willow Room, Green Door (New and Selected Poems), winner of the Minnesota Book Award.

Award: Winner receives $500.00 and 25 copies of the winning book. Deadline Oct. 15th (post-mark date). The winner will be notified at the end of December. Runners up and two alternates will be posted on the website by January 15th, 2009. The book will be available on the three candles website, through online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and at fine booksellers in America and Europe. The winner will receive a standard royalty contract.

Guidelines: Manuscripts of 60 – 95 pages should have one cover page containing the poet’s name, address, phone number, email address and title of manuscript, and another with only the name of the manuscript. Please include only one acknowledgements page.

How the Contest Works: Three Candles Journal editor-in-chief Steve Mueske will read all submitted manuscripts and forward the finalists to the judge (around 12 manuscripts). The final round of materials will be judged anonymously (without coversheet or acknowledgements page). To avoid conflicts of interest, the following manuscripts will be ineligible: those from former students of the judge or from family members or friends of the judge;20those who have workshopped with Steve Mueske or received comments from any poems contained in the manuscript; and those who have worked with the editor in a business capacity (an exchange of money for goods or services) prior to the opening of the competition.

Manuscripts should be printed on one side only and bound with a sturdy clip. Contest entry fee is $22.00. Make checks payable to “three candles press”.

Send materials to:

three candles press
open book award
PO Box 1817
Burnsville MN 55337