Help make our 70th festival a huge success: sponsor a poetry festival contest! How have poetry trends changed over seven decades? What kind of poetry would you like to see in our next edition of Tennessee Voices, PST’s annual anthology? As a sponsor, you can help us share work representing poetry’s diversity, tapping into past trends, member inventions (like the Dorsimbra), and the broad interests of our growing membership.

You do not need to be a member to sponsor a contest. We invite individuals and organizations to sponsor. Sponsors will be recognized on PST’s website and blog, through PST social media channels, and in the 2026-2027 edition of Tennessee Voices.

Festival contest sponsorship applications will be open through the earlier of August 4, 2026, or meeting our contest limit.

What Does a Sponsor Do?

Sponsors create their own poetry contest! As a sponsor, you choose the theme or poetic form, note poem length, specify prize award amounts, and provide any other special instructions for entrants or judges. In many cases, sponsors also judge the contest, but that is not a requirement. While we encourage variety in poetic forms and themes, PST does not accept contests or poetry centered on explicitly violent or sexual themes.

In general, individuals and businesses may sponsor one contest. However, PST will also accept memorial contest sponsorships, one per individual or group of individuals being honored. 

What Does a Judge Do?

PST’s festival poetry contests are judged blind. The Festival Poetry Contest Coordinator sends entries to the judge. In accordance with contest guidelines, the judge reviews contest entries, selects winners and provides a winners list to the festival contest coordinator.

How Do I Become a Sponsor or Judge?

If you are interested in sponsoring a festival contest, you may apply online. (Select the FESTIVAL sponsorship option.)

If you are unable to judge your sponsored contest and need assistance to find a judge, or if you are unable to sponsor but wish to judge, contact us.

Questions?

Do you have questions? Reach out to poetrytennessee@gmail.com with subject line FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP.

Guidelines are also available on our website.