Spring Contests

Spring Competitions:

ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BETWEEN JANUARY 15 AND FEBRUARY 15. Prizes will be awarded at the May Forum, or mailed to those not in attendance.

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The South Carolina Nature Conservancy Prize: $200.

For a poem that honors The Nature Conservancy in SC, highlighting the struggles to save endangered wildlife or capturing the efforts to conserve the natural environment in South Carolina. Open to PSSC members only.

Sponsor: Randy Spencer

 

The John H. Bennett, Jr., Prize: $250.

Dedicated to the memory of John H. Bennett, Jr., a past president and devoted supporter of The Society. Offered for a poem of any style and nature on the topic of generosity, kindness, or gratitude. Open to current PSSC members only.

Sponsor: Mary Pinckney

 

The Oliver Bowman Memorial Prize: $250.

Dedicated to the memory of Dr. D. Oliver Bowman for his long service to the PSSC, including presentations about poetry therapy. Offered for a poem of any style which describes a significant moment or event blending sorrow and joy. Open to anyone.

Sponsors: The Board of Governors of the South Carolina Academy of Authors and Friends of Dr. D. Oliver Bowman

 

The Forum Prize: $200.

Honors the Writers' Group of PSSC. Offered for a poem of any style or nature. Open to PSSC members only. The Spring Forum critic will choose the finalists; the winning poem will be selected by audience vote at the Spring Forum.

Sponsor: The Poetry Society of South Carolina

 

The Peter Pan Prize: $50.

Offered for a poem written about childhood. Open to anyone.

Sponsor: James J. Lundy, Jr.

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The Scotty Davis Watson Prize: $100.

For a poem of any style about finding tiny moments of joy. Open to PSSC members only.

Sponsor: Debra Daniel

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The Dana Burnet Prize: Spring: $50. 

Offered for a collection of three (3) Haiku or Senyru of any subject. Open to anyone. Entries should be in the traditional three-line, seventeen-syllable format (5/7/5).

Sponsor:  William Winslow

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Proud to be Thinking Out Loud or Whatever Prize: Spring: $250.

Offered for a poem of any subject. Open to anyone. Entries should demonstrate an interesting use of rhythm and/or meter, and/or rhyme (which may or may not follow a repetitive rhyme scheme), and be fun or impactful to read out loud.

Sponsor: Anonymous

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The Dr. Linda Veldheer Memorial Prize: $200.

Offered for a rhymed, metrical poem about love/marriage. Open to anyone. 

Sponsor: Family and Friends of Dr. Linda Veldheer​