The Kentucky State Poetry Society Conference VP Poetry Contest is open for submissions on Nov. 1st through noon on Nov. 2nd.
All submissions must be submitted to: kystatepoetry@gmail.com with the subject line: KSPS CONFERENCE VP POETRY CONTEST (Insert Poet’s Name).
THIS YEAR’S PROMPT: “In a perfect world…”
Guidelines:
- Poems cannot be longer than 2 pages
- Poems must adhere to the prompt
- Any/all forms of poetry/prose are welcome
- Only 1 poem per submission
- Poems must be the original, unpublished work of the entrant; no AI submissions
- Each poem must be titled
- Do not include your name or any identifying information in the poem(s)
- Deadline is November 2nd, 2025, 12:00 PM EST
- The winner will be announced at the start of the 3:30 PM Open Mic on Day 2 of the Conference
- The prize will be sent to the winner following the conference
Eligibility
You need to be registered for the 2025 KSPS Conference to submit. KSPS board and staff cannot participate.
Judge: Deidra White
Deidra White is a Lexington, Ky. native, a 2024 University of Kentucky MFA graduate, and an aspiring Affrilachian Poet. She currently teaches English and Creative Writing at BCTC and is the 2025 Vice President of the Kentucky State Poetry Society. She received the 2022 Farquhar Award for Poetry, “Meihua”, the Patricia and William Stacy Endowed Fellowship for Distinguished Honors in English, the William Hugh Jansen Fiction Award in the Art of Storytelling/Folklore, “Woodstock”, the 2023 winner of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Nonfiction Award for her contemporary piece, “DUCK”, and the 2024 Winner of the Broadside Poetry Contest, “When They Came”. She authored and voiced the 2024 University of Kentucky commercial spot, which aired during all University of Kentucky televised events. Her work engages the tradition of Affrilachian writing and explores the intricate dynamics of Black womanhood with an eye to connections of the past and present.
Kentucky State Poetry Society 