Austin Daily Herald

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The Southeastern Libraries Cooperating is seeking submissions for an annual poetry competition for both adults and teens.

“Poetic Strokes” and “Word Flow” is an opportunity for southeastern Minnesota poets to showcase their talents in a unique regional poetry anthology.

The original and unpublished poetry will be considered for publication from now until Dec. 16. Each fall, poets residing in the 11 counties of the SELCO region are able to submit original unpublished works to be considered for inclusion in a single anthology which is then distributed through the region and the state the following spring.

SELCO retains the right to print the submissions in both anthologies.

 “Poetic Strokes”

submission guidelines

•Must be 19 or older

•Must reside in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha or Winona Counties.

•All styles welcome

•Two poems may be submitted per poet.

•Poems: 1. Must be typed. 2. Must be original and not published elsewhere. 3. May not include any identifying marks — no author’s name, town, etc., only the title and the poem. 4. May be up to three pages each.

•Preference for poems is to be submitted electronically via the submission link on the www.poetry.selco.info website under “Poetic Strokes.” SELCO will accept documents in the in following formats: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt. No PDF’s will be accepted.

•If necessary, poems may also be submitted via paper. These must include a cover page with the following: Full name, poet’s age, mailing address, primary contact phone number and primary contact e-mail address. All information must be included or the poem will not be accepted. Paper copies may be mailed to: SELCO, Attn: Poetic Strokes, 2600 19th Street NW, Rochester, MN, 55901. Submissions need to be postmarked between now and Dec. 16. Paper copies will not be returned. Early, late or faxed submissions will not be accepted.

•A qualified judging panel will review all entries and make the final selections. Poets will be notified of final status.

 “Word Flow” submission guidelines

•Teens ages 14-18

•Must reside in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha or Winona Counties.

•All styles welcome

•One poem may be submitted per poet.

•Poems: 1. Must be typed. 2. Must be original and not published elsewhere. 3. May not include any identifying marks — no author’s name, town, etc., only the title and the poem. 4. May be up to three pages each.

Poems must be submitted electronically via the submission link on the www.poetry.selco.info website under “Poetic Strokes.” SELCO will accept documents in the in following formats: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt. No PDF’s will be accepted.

•A qualified judging panel will review all entries and make the final selections. Poets will be notified of final status.