The fifth season for Poetry by the Sea’s Sonnet Contest, renamed in honor of our beloved Founder and Director and run in conjunction with Mezzo Cammin, will open on December 1, 2022. There are two categories: Single Sonnet and Sonnet Crown. The winning poet in each category each will be awarded a prize of $500 and invited to read the pieces at the May 2023 Poetry by the Sea Conference. We welcome traditional sonnets, as well as artful variations that push the boundaries of the form. Submissions and payment must be received by Midnight on January 15, 2023 (US Eastern Time). Deadline extended to January 25, 2023!!
Full Guidelines
1. Sonnets must be previously unpublished.
2. You may submit in both categories — up to eight single sonnets AND three sonnet crowns.
3. In the cover letter area, provide your name and contact information, and list the full titles of the single sonnets you are submitting.
4. Place up to four single sonnets in ONE Word document, indicating the category at the top of the page: “Single Sonnets.” Place each sonnet crown in a separate Word document, likewise indicating “Sonnet Crown”. Upload Word document(s) to Submittable. Important: This contest is judged ANONYMOUSLY. Do NOT include your name or any identifying information in the Word document(s) or file name(s).
5. Please pay the reading fee through Submittable [you do not need a PayPal account to enter]. Only entries accompanied by the appropriate payment will be read. The reading fee schedule and links to Submittable are as follows:
- Enter 1 single sonnet for $12
- Enter 2 single sonnets for $16
- Enter 3 single sonnets for $20
- Enter 4 single sonnets for $24
- Enter a sonnet crown for $20
2023 Final Judge – Julia Griffin
Julia Griffin teaches Renaissance English literature at Georgia Southern University. She has published in Light, Lighten Up Online, and various other online magazines, and is honoured to be judging the Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest this year. She won both categories of the contest in 2022.