However, time is running out for the Poetry Contest. It will close on September 30.

This year, the prize pool for each of these contests will be $5,250 (including a First Prize of $2,000), yet entry fees for the Poetry Contest remain pegged at $6 for every 25 lines, while a slight increase in the entry fee to $15 will apply for each short story or essay up to 5,000 words in length. 

You'll find full details at respectively http://shortstorycontest.0catch.com and

http://tomhowardpoetry.bravepages.com

Alternative sites are

http://www.geocities.com/rastar330/prose.htm

and http://www.geocities.com/rastar330/poetry.htm

Although it's certainly not the only way to enter the winners' circle, I recommend taking a look at some of the entries that have won prizes in previous contests. This will give you some idea of the types and varieties of poems and prose pieces that have won prizes in the past. There are are, however, two genres the judges would like to encourage: Humorous and comic verse is very much appreciated, and in prose submissions we would very much like to see more genre entries such as mystery and detective stories, science fiction, romance, etc. 

The latest anthology of prize-winning poetry is "Sailing in the Mist of Time". This beautifully printed, large format book actually contains 106 poems, including 50 major award winners, and retails at the publishing house for $16.50. Currently it is still "on special" at Amazon and some other stores for only $9.95. 

 Only $9.95 at Amazon: SAILING IN THE MIST OF TIME: Fifty Award-Winning Poems

Another piece of good news is that WATCHING TIME, our latest short story and essay anthology has finally been reprinted  and is again on sale at Amazon. The price is $12.95, which is good value for a 207-page trade paperback. The 14 prize-winners include four Firsts, three Seconds, and two Thirds!  

Whatever happens, keep on writing on. The more you write, the more you'll succeed!

John Howard Reid