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Youth Book Response: Poetry Contest

Submissions must be received no later than midnight, Pacific Time, May 12th, 2024. 

Help us celebrate Poetry Month! 

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL)- Nanaimo Harbourfront and the City of Nanaimo have partnered to create a Youth Book Response Poetry Contest. Spearheaded by the City’s current Youth Poet Laureate, Paige Pierce, this contest is meant to facilitate thoughtful connections between poetry and other texts including novels, anthologies, and picture books. 

We are looking for youth poets in the Nanaimo area to write a poem inspired by, responding to, or discussing their favourite book! Poems can be any shape, size, and structure. There is no required word count. 

Winning poems will be displayed at the Nanaimo Harbourfront location of the Vancouver Island Regional Library with the books they reference or were inspired by. 

Three prizes will be awarded to the top three poems selected.

Eligibility

Submissions are welcome from everyone under the age of 18 in the Nanaimo region.
 

Applicants must include in their submission the following:

  • One (or more) poem(s) inspired by a favourite book
  • The book inspiring your poem must be identified (i.e. in the title of your poem or in addition to the information submitted)
  • A completed submission form with contact information.

Selection Process

All poems will be read and selected by the City of Nanaimo’s current Youth Poet Laureate, Paige Pierce. Paige will be looking for the following criteria in submitted works: 

  • Connection to other texts. Is there a connection to a book or work in a larger collection? At the top of your submission, please indicate which book or collection you are taking inspiration from or responding to. 
  • Creativity. Don’t be afraid to get creative and be unique! Poetry is abstract and Paige is hoping to see a range of styles and topics
  • Grammar and writing conventions. Does your poem include proper spelling and grammar? Your poem can have whatever structure, rhyme scheme, or layout you feel best suits the piece, but it has to be readable!
  • Don’t forget a title!  Please make sure to include a title for your poem.

How to Apply

Submissions must be received no later than midnight, Pacific Time, May 12th, 2024. 

There are three ways to submit:

  • Submit your application via the online submission form found HERE.
  • Submit your application via email: cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca, ATTN: Youth Poetry Contest
  • Drop off your application in-person to the Culture & Events Dropbox, located at the Bowen Complex, 500 Bowen Road. The Dropbox is located on the lower level of the building near the tennis courts (Pine Street Entrance). The application must be enclosed and sealed in an envelope/package clearly marked:

Your Name
Youth Poetry Contest
City of Nanaimo
Culture and Events

Questions?

Please reach out to the Culture & Events team using the info below.

Contact Us

Culture & Events
250-755-4483
cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca

Last updated: November 15, 2024

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