Christian Writers Submission Information

Pattern poems break the linearity of traditionally structured poems. They explore new visual forms of language to embody their subject in surprising and arresting ways. George Herbert’s “The Altar” and “Easter Wings” are two of the most beloved sacred pattern poems in English. This contest awards the top Christian pattern poem of 2021. Sometimes called “figure poem,” “shaped verse,” “visual poetry,” and “concrete poetry,” the form is ancient, long preceding Herbert’s time and stretching into our own.

This contest hopes to revive the form in its sacred manifestation by awarding the best Christian pattern poem of the year with $1,000. Are there pattern poems still to be written about Eden, about fruit and fig leaves, about Fall, about Cain’s instrument of death, Enoch’s walk, Noah and flood, Rebekah’s ring, Esau’s birthright or bowl of soup, Jacob’s well or flight, Abraham’s altar or sacrificial knife, Joseph’s pit and Egyptian crown, Moses in the bulrushes, his rod, his Red Sea crossing, and law, the golden calf, unholy fire, water from the rock, manna from heaven, Balaam’s ass, Rahab’s thread, Achan’s idols, Gideon’s fleece, Deborah’s sword, Jael’s nail, Samson’s jawbone or locks, David’s harp, Saul’s spear, Jonathan’s arrows, Bathsheba’s basin, the Witch of Endor, Absalom in the tree, Solomon’s temple, Queen of Sheba’s gifts, Elijah on Carmel or with his whirlwind, Naboth’s vineyard, Elisha’s miracles, Siege of Jerusalem, Babylonian captivity, valley of dry bones, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel’s den, writing on the wall, Esther’s feast and stand, Haman’s gallows, Christ’s birth, wise men’s gifts, baptisms, healings, woman at the well, the twelve, parables, storms calmed, blind seeing, lame walking, stonings ceased, widow’s mite, transfiguration, Last Supper, Gethsemane’s garden, arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, Pentecost, Stephen martyr, Peter’s prison, Paul’s shipwreck, Apostles’ letters, John’s apocalypse, scroll and Lamb, Dragon, Beast, four horsemen, seals, trumpets, bowls, harvest, and the New Jerusalem? And beyond these, are there pattern poems of the Christian life and Church history?

Poetry Contest Rules:

•Submit original pattern poems that would fit this volume.

•First prize is $1,000.

•The title should appear on the poem, but the poet’s name should appear on a separate cover sheet with the title of the poem, email address, and a brief biographical blurb. Indicate whether the poem has been previously published and where and when.

•Send submissions to sacred.poetry.contest@gmail.com by December 15, 2021.

•The subject line must read: Pattern Poetry Contest

•Since the shape and spacing of the poem is part of the artform, send both Microsoft Word document file and PDF file.

•See eligibility rules below.

•No entry fee.

Eligibility:

•You may submit up to 10 poems.

•All unpublished poems will be eligible for the prize money.

•All poems will be considered for publication in the collected volume.

•All previously published poems will be considered for republication in the volume.

•By entering the contest, you consent to the publication of your poetry if selected.

•Entries will be considered only via email submission.

•Minors (those under the age of 18 years) must have parents’ permission to enter the contest.

•The contest winner will be notified by February 28, 2022.

Pattern poems break the linearity of traditionally structured poems. They explore new visual forms of language to embody their subject in surprising and arresting ways. George Herbert’s “The Altar” and “Easter Wings” are two of the most beloved sacred pattern poems in English. This contest awards the top Christian pattern poem of 2021. Sometimes called “figure poem,” “shaped verse,” “visual poetry,” and “concrete poetry,” the form is ancient, long preceding Herbert’s time and stretching into our own.

This contest hopes to revive the form in its sacred manifestation by awarding the best Christian pattern poem of the year with $1,000. Are there pattern poems still to be written about Eden, about fruit and fig leaves, about Fall, about Cain’s instrument of death, Enoch’s walk, Noah and flood, Rebekah’s ring, Esau’s birthright or bowl of soup, Jacob’s well or flight, Abraham’s altar or sacrificial knife, Joseph’s pit and Egyptian crown, Moses in the bulrushes, his rod, his Red Sea crossing, and law, the golden calf, unholy fire, water from the rock, manna from heaven, Balaam’s ass, Rahab’s thread, Achan’s idols, Gideon’s fleece, Deborah’s sword, Jael’s nail, Samson’s jawbone or locks, David’s harp, Saul’s spear, Jonathan’s arrows, Bathsheba’s basin, the Witch of Endor, Absalom in the tree, Solomon’s temple, Queen of Sheba’s gifts, Elijah on Carmel or with his whirlwind, Naboth’s vineyard, Elisha’s miracles, Siege of Jerusalem, Babylonian captivity, valley of dry bones, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel’s den, writing on the wall, Esther’s feast and stand, Haman’s gallows, Christ’s birth, wise men’s gifts, baptisms, healings, woman at the well, the twelve, parables, storms calmed, blind seeing, lame walking, stonings ceased, widow’s mite, transfiguration, Last Supper, Gethsemane’s garden, arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, Pentecost, Stephen martyr, Peter’s prison, Paul’s shipwreck, Apostles’ letters, John’s apocalypse, scroll and Lamb, Dragon, Beast, four horsemen, seals, trumpets, bowls, harvest, and the New Jerusalem? And beyond these, are there pattern poems of the Christian life and Church history?

Poetry Contest Rules:

•Submit original pattern poems that would fit this volume.

•First prize is $1,000.

•The title should appear on the poem, but the poet’s name should appear on a separate cover sheet with the title of the poem, email address, and a brief biographical blurb. Indicate whether the poem has been previously published and where and when.

•Send submissions to sacred.poetry.contest@gmail.com by December 15, 2021.

•The subject line must read: Pattern Poetry Contest

•Since the shape and spacing of the poem is part of the artform, send both Microsoft Word document file and PDF file.

•See eligibility rules below.

•No entry fee.

Eligibility:

•You may submit up to 10 poems.

•All unpublished poems will be eligible for the prize money.

•All poems will be considered for publication in the collected volume.

•All previously published poems will be considered for republication in the volume.

•By entering the contest, you consent to the publication of your poetry if selected.

•Entries will be considered only via email submission.

•Minors (those under the age of 18 years) must have parents’ permission to enter the contest.

•The contest winner will be notified by February 28, 2022.