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Kinsman Poetry Slam
for NYS Residents

Up to $300 in cash prizes
& publication
in the SLAM! collection
and Kinsman Quarterly 

Submissions extended until

April 30th at 11:59 p.m. EST

No entry fee for NYS Residents

May 31st

NYS Contestants are eligible to enter the Kinsman Poetry Slam for free with proof of their valid state ID or driver's license. Winners receive up to $300 in cash prizes and publication in the poetry series. Poets can submit original, unpublished works in English up to 10 pages. We are looking for captivating rhythm and form, along with hard-hitting themes of culture, resilience, passion, and justice. Contestants must submit before the extended date May 31st at 11:59 pm EST.  Non-NYS residents must submit here. 

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Selected finalists will be featured in the Kinsman Quarterly, its social media sites, printed promotions, and the 2024 collection. NYS Finalists will also be invited to perform in the live poetry event, "Represented" at the live performance cafe of the OFC Creations Theatrical Center. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, however submissions should be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere. To ensure we are able to register the unpublished work, winning contestants and finalists are asked to wait a full year after winning announcements before they republish the work themselves or with another organization. Copyrights of the individual submissions remain with the authors and artists, and copyrights for the SLAM! collection as a whole are reserved to Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.

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Those Eligible

  • individuals 18 years or older

  • residents of the New York State with proof of valid state identification or driver's license

  • individuals ideally are of underrepresented communities; BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled, retired, etc.

  • individuals are able to receive cash prizes through Paypal (transfer through other platforms not allowed) or Amazon gift cards (non-transferable).

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By submitting an original, unpublished work, contestants authorize work to be published in the Kinsman Quarterly, its annual SLAM! anthology, within its promotional announcements, and social media outlets.

 

Contest Guidelines

  • Each entry should be an original, unpublished work by the submitting author, which does not infringe upon the copyrights of another individual or entity. If a work is found to be plagiarized, the offending contestant will be liable for all costs related to the plagiarism, including legal liabilities and the return of any winnings. 

  • Employees and directors of Kinsman Quarterly and Kinsman Avenue Publishing are ineligible to enter Kinsman Quarterly contests.

  • Submissions must be received by May 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

  • Submissions can be 1 or multiple poems up to 10 pages and should fit comfortably within 1 of 4 themes; culture, resilience, passion, or justice. Poets are encouraged to deviate from predictable patterns of rhyme and to explore free verse and playfulness with language.

  • Participants may submit more than one entry. 

  • Changes to the competition entry cannot be made once a work is submitted. However, the work can be resubmitted as a revision. 

 

Formatting Guidelines

  • All text entries must be in Times New Roman, font size 12, double-spaced. 

  • Do not attach images or use fancy fonts.

  • Text files should be submitted in .doc, .docx, or .pdf formats. (NOT a .txt file).

  • Multipage submissions must include page numbers (not mandatory for title pages).

  • Be sure to remove all track changes from edited text. 

  • Entries that do not adhere to guidelines, unfortunately, will not be considered. 

 

Available Prizes

  • Grand Prize = $300 cash prize and publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

  • 1st Runner Up = $200 cash prize and publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

  • 2nd Runner Up = $100 cash prize and publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

  • 3rd Runner Up = $50 cash prize and publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

  • Top 6 Finalists receive a $25 Amazon gift card and publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

  • 6 Honorary Mentions to receive publication in the SLAM! collection and within Kinsman Quarterly 

 

Note that cash prizes will be received within 30 days of the author's signed confirmation to accept the win and publish with Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.. Kinsman Quarterly reserves the right to extend competition deadline (therefore also the announcements and prize distribution) by 30 days.

Kinsman's Poetry Slam
Submission Form
Are you a New York State resident with a valid driver' license and state ID?

Non-NYS residents, must submit poetry here. 

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The following survey provides important details that helps Kinsman Quarterly measure its efforts to provide opportunities to underrepresented authors. 

Ethnic origin. Check all that apply:
Check all that apply:

All authors are automatically subscribed to our mailing list and free newsletter for updates on winners and upcoming contests. Subscription is free. Your personal information will not be given or sold to an outside party under any circumstance. You may cancel subscription at any time. 

Entries that do not meet the required criteria will be disqualified without notice. Only one entry can be made per submission form. No alterations can be made to the document or artwork once submissions are received. You may, however, submit a revision in a second form, stating so in the title (example: Lord of the Bears.revised). Winners and honorable mentions will receive awards as determined in our terms and guidelines and will be announced on our website and our newsletter on June 30, 2024.

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Upload Poetry File

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