Writer's Market Challenge - April is National Poetry Month

APRIL POEM-A-DAY CHALLENGE

In April, Writer's Market will be leading a poem-a-day challenge at the Poetic Asides blog. Last year, more than 400 poets posted more than 4,000 poems during the month of April. This year, the participation may be even greater for two reasons: possible publication and well-known poet guest judges.

Anyone who completes the poem-a-day challenge for the month of April will receive a certificate and an online badge (for display on your blog or website) like last year. But this year, we'll also be publishing the top 50 poems from the month in a free eBook designed by F+W Media's own wonderful designers.

That's sweet enough, but 30 of those top 50 poems will be selected by 30 well-published poets, including Mark Doty, Marilyn Nelson, Patricia Smith, S.A. Griffin, Alex Lemon, Dorianne Laux, and 24 others.

Participation is free. All you have to do is show up to the Poetic Asides blog on April 1, write a poem a day, and have a great time. Go to http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides to learn more.

CONTEST: April is National Poetry Month - Let's Get Ready - With a Poetry Contest

April is National Poetry Month. And I thought I'd get us warmed up with a little poetry contest. So, be crafty and creative and win some cool prizes. Like a complete crafting package, filled with a cross-stitch kit, yarn, knitting needles, autographed books and more. Also, there will be many books to give away. The winners will be able to choose between some of the following choices:

The 2009 Writer's Market, 88th Annual Edition with over 3,500 listings of where and how to sell what you write
An autographed book of Cleopatra-Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen,
An Autographed edition of the grahic novel for kids: Babymouse, Beach Babe,
An Autographed edition of Heart of a Shepherd,
An Autographed Edition of the Award winning book by Carmen Bernier-Grand Frida, the art of Frida Kahlo; and
The Last Lecture, an inspirational story

Let's get ready for April by posting a poem in the comments section. Try to keep it to 10 lines or less. It can be any style, format and form.

I'm going to pick the winners on Sunday, April 5th. So, you'll have to come back on Sunday to see if you win. But take a chance, post a poem, and have a little fun.