Poetry Contest
The Enoch Pratt Free Library Poetry Contest is an annual event open to Maryland poets age 18 and older.
Maryland poets, this contest is for you! The winning poem, to be announced in mid-April, will be published in Poet Lore and celebrated at a public reading hosted by the Pratt Library and Poet Lore. It may also be displayed at the Central Library or turned into a collectible broadside.
Contest Rules
- Entrants must be Maryland residents, 18 or older.
- Paid or volunteer staff of the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Poet Lore and their immediate families are not eligible, nor are previous Pratt Library Poetry Contest first-place winners.
- Please send only one poem, on any theme and in any form, for consideration.
- The poem must be your original work and must not include material generated by AI.
- Your entry must be unpublished, either in print or online, including personal blogs, Facebook, Instagram, and X. It cannot be currently under review for possible publication.
- Your entry must not exceed 100 lines.
- Submit your typed entry as a Microsoft Word attachment (.doc or .docx) by email to contest@prattlibrary.org, or by mail to:
Poetry Contest, Fiction & Humanities Department
Pratt Library, 400 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-4484 - All entries must be received by Sunday, March 1, 2026.
- Please submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief biography on a separate page. Please do not put your name, address, phone number, or biography on the entry itself. Our judges will see only the poem.
- Confirmation of receipt and comments on your entry will not be provided, nor will your entry be returned to you.
Learn More
Questions? Email contest@prattlibrary.org or call (410) 396-5484.
Interested in past winners? Check out the poems that won in previous years (PDF).
Help us spread the word! Print and share a Poetry Contest flyer (PDF).
Check out our upcoming poetry events for adults:
-
Drop by during office hours with the 2025-2026 Hackerman Writer in Residence, poet Taylor Johnson. Are you interested in…December 3, 3 PM -
Join 2025-2026 Hackerman Writer in Residence poet Taylor Johnson for the third in a monthly poetry-writing workshop series…December 6, 2 PM -
Share your original poetry and hear poetry by your peers in a friendly and supportive space. Or join us as a listener! …December 13, 11 AM -
This program has been canceled. Join us online for a discussion of the poetry of Alice Walker. We hope to…January 10, 11 AM
Writer in Residence
The Hackerman Writer in Residence Program is a unique writer's residency designed to bring creatives from all corners of Baltimore together to share and create at the Pratt Library.
Books & More
Your journey starts here! A Pratt library card gives you access to everything from books, eBooks, and audio books to movies and music.
Get an eCard
Maryland residents can register for an eCard to get instant access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming media, and databases.