When I was writing "Write Ways To Win Writing Contests", I particularly focused on Contests in which the judges gave some hints as to the types of poetry or stories they admired -- or even wrote themselves.

Winning a cash prize in these contests is comparatively easy, because few contestants take the time to read judges' comments. 

95% of entrants are simply determined to do their own thing, and they don't care what judges like or don't like.

One judge recently admitted that she was only interested in stories or poems "relating to sickness or death." Yet there was no hint of the judge's preference in the Contest's rules.

Nonetheless, you can always get an idea as to the subject matter the Contest is actually seeking by reading winning entries from previous years.

However, if you are simply determined to do your own thing, you are actually  competing in a lottery! Your entry could be eliminated right from the start, simply because of its subject matter.

In my handbook, Write Ways to WIN WRITING CONTESTS: How To Join the Winners' Circle for Prose and Poetry Awards, [Clicking this next link will take you to the $2.99 Kindle edition: Write Ways to WIN WRITING CONTESTS ], I provide expert guidance on contests to enter and contests to avoid!