Mentor Public Library is hosting a contest for poets of all ages to celebrate National Poetry Month in April. The winners will receive the title Library Poet Laureate 2025 and a $25 gift card to Half Price Books.
The library will name a winner in three age categories:
- Children (11 and younger)
- Teen/Tween (12 to 18)
- Adults (19 and older)
The contest is being run by the staff at MPL’s Headlands Branch. However, poets can submit their work at any of MPL’s branches from April 1 through 30. Poems can also be emailed to branch-headlands@mentorpl.org.
Poems that are submitted in person must be typed. No handwritten poetry will be accepted. Emailed poems must be submitted as .doc, .docx or .pdf files.
Each participant can submit up to two original works. Poetry can be written in any style and on any subject. However, any poem containing imagery deemed inappropriate, vulgar or offensive by library staff will be rejected from consideration.
Contact details — including the poet’s name, age, and a phone number or email address — must be included with submissions.
By entering this contest, poets agree to allow Mentor Public Library to publish their poems both online and in a printed anthology for public consumption. Poets may submit anonymously, though they will forfeit the ability to win any prizes.
Participants are asked to sign a Creative Arts Release form along with their submissions. You can download the Creative Arts Release form right here!