Manningham Poetry Competition announced

The League of Minnesota Poets announces the 21st Manningham Poetry Competition for students.

The deadline is Feb. 1; there is no entry fee.

Rules are as follows:

There are two divisions: Grades 6-8 (junior division) and grades 9-12 (senior division). Poems must be original but may have been printed and/or have won previous awards.

All students in Minnesota attending public, parochial or private schools and those who are home-schooled are eligible. Only one entry per student is allowed.

Students should submit two copies of each poem and in the upper left-hand corner of each, include their name and division.

The second copy must further contain, in the upper right corner, the student's name, address, grade and division; the school's name, address and phone number; and the statement "This is my original work," followed by the student's signature.

The poem is to be typed or computer generated and no more than 50 lines long. If the poem continues on more than one page, staple the pages together. Do not use large print, illustrations, unusual typefaces or colored fonts.

Nationally recognized poets judge the contest. Ten top poems will be selected at the Minnesota state level for submission to the national contest. There, they may win cash prizes and publication.

Poems selected at the state level will be published in a chapbook which will be forwarded to the student authors and participating schools.

Mail entries to Christina Flaugher, Minnesota State Manningham Poetry Competition Chair, 57310 166th Lane, Good Thunder, MN, 56037.