Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) is excited to announce the line-up of our 70th Annual Poetry Festival Contests. We offer 20 contests, more than $1,400 in prizes, publication opportunities and a Best of Fest Award. The contests are made possible by PST and a host of sponsors to whom we are most grateful. Contests explore a variety of themes and forms, such as Golden Shovel, ekphrastic, Autumn winds, National Parks, and much more, including our popular Tennessee Voices and Play it Again, Sam contests (restrictions apply to these contests).
Prizes & Publication
More than $1,400 will be awarded in total. Individual prize amounts vary by contest. First place poems will be eligible for the “Best of Fest” award for the top poem of the festival. An outside judge will select the winning poem. The prize is $250.
First place poems will be published in Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2026-2027. Other winning poems may be published at the discretion of the society. Poets whose poems are published will receive a complimentary copy of the anthology, as will sponsors and judges.
Contest winners will be announced at the society’s 70th Annual Poetry Festival to be held in April 2027.
Entry Fees and Submission Period
Submissions open October 15, 2026. Entries may be submitted by email and must be submitted or postmarked by December 15, 2026.
For this year’s competition series, Tennessee-based poets and PST members (based anywhere) may enter the Board-sponsored Tennessee Voices contest for a $2 entry. Play it Again Sam contest is open to members only for a fee of $2 per entry. All poets regardless of membership status may enter any or all of the remaining sponsored contests for a single entry fee: $10 for members or $15 for non-members.
Get More Information
Get more contest details here. Download a printer-friendly contest packet here.
About Tennessee Voices Anthology
Tennessee Voices Anthology is a publication of Poetry Society of Tennessee. It features winning poems from a year’s worth of contests and more. Get more information, including how to purchase anthology editions, here.
