The Poetry by the Sea Conference runs a sonnet contest, for unpublished sonnets and sonnet crowns, and a book award, for books published in the previous year. Since last year’s contest was such a success, this year we are also running The Gylys Villanelle Prize again, in partnership with the Wild & Precious Life Series.
The Gylys Villanelle Prize
The second Gylys Villanelle Prize submission period opens September 1st 2025. The writer of the winning villanelle will be awarded a prize of $500 and invited to read the poem at the May 2025 Poetry by the Sea Conference. We welcome traditional sonnets, as well as artful variations that push the boundaries of the form. Click here for full guidelines.
Sonnet Contest
The seventh season for Poetry by the Sea’s Sonnet Contest, renamed The Kim Bridgford Memorial Sonnet Contest and run in conjunction with Mezzo Cammin, is open as of November 12th 2024. There are two categories: Single Sonnet and Sonnet Crown. The writers of the winning poem(s) in each category each will be awarded a prize of $500 and invited to read the pieces at the May 2025 Poetry by the Sea Conference. We welcome traditional sonnets, as well as artful variations that push the boundaries of the form. Click here for full guidelines.
Book Awards
The seventh season for the Poetry by the Sea Book Awards, given to the best poetry book published the previous year is open as of January 5, 2025. The category is Best Book of 2024, and the winner will be awarded a prize of $500. Click here for full guidelines.
2020 Poetry by the Sea Sonnet Contest Winner: “Niagara Overlook” by Melissa Balmain
for Davey at 16 As you gaze at the falls, unaware that I’m there,I survey your brow’s drop-off, the bluff of your chin,and the stone that bobs high in your…
Poetry by the Sea Sonnet Crown Contest Winner: “Bridesmaid Dress” by Jenna Le
1. For daughters of the Vietnamese diaspora, it is not easy to obtain ao dài: the tightly clinging bodice with its high stiff collar, joined by hook-and-eye-type clasper, its long…
2020 Virtual Awards Ceremony
The 2020 Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday June 20th at 4 p.m. Thanks to our winners and judges for taking part! You can view a recording of the event…
Poetry by the Sea Book Awards 2020
It is with happiness and pride that we announce the winners of the 2020 Book Awards. Category 1) (Author may have more than one book) was won by Richard Foerster…
Poetry by the Sea Sonnet Crown Contest Winner: “River Valley Hexaëmera” by Matt W. Miller
The Merrimac River, broad and placid, flows down to it from the New Hampshire hills, broken at the falls to make frothy havoc on the rocks, foaming on over ancient…
2019 Poetry by the Sea Sonnet Contest Winner: “Mania” by Jenna Le
Your trapezoidal face, like Townes van Zandt’s, makes my pulse race more than the razzmatazz of Times Square, makes my p- and t-waves dance more than a jailbreak out of…
“Putting Chaos Into 14 Lines” Sonnet Contest
It is with excitement and joy that we announce the winners of the inaugural 2019 “Putting Chaos Into 14 Lines” Sonnet Contest: “Mania” by Jenna Le and “River Valley Hexaëmera”…
Poetry by the Sea Book Awards 2019
It is with admiration and delight that we announce the winners of the inaugural 2019 Book Awards. Category 1) (Author may have more than one book) was won by Barbara…