Bellday Books will publish the winning book and award $2,000 and 25 copies of the book to the winning author.

CONTEST FINAL JUDGE: Linda Gregerson
Linda Gregerson has published 4 books of poetry, including Magnetic North, Waterborne, The Woman Who Died in Her Sleep and Fire in the Conservatory, and several books of criticism. She has won fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Institute for Advanced Studies and National Endowment of the Arts. She teaches creative writing and Renaissance literature at the University of Michigan.

Submission Deadline: Postmarked March 16, 2009

• Submit manuscript of 50-70 pages of original poetry in English. The manuscript must not have been published in book or chapbook, but may contain poems that have appeared in print or on the Internet.
  
  
• Manuscript must contain 2 title pages: Name and contact information should appear on first title page only. Name should not appear anywhere else in manuscript. Manuscript should be typed, single-spaced, paginated, and bound with spring clip.
  
  
• Include a table of contents page, but no acknowledgements.
  
  
• Enclose an SASE for announcement of the winner.
  
  
• Manuscript cannot be returned.
  
  
• Check or money order for $25 reading fee, payable to Bellday Books.
  
  
• Bellday Books reserves the right not to select an award winner, in which case all reading fees will be refunded.

CONTEST MAILING ADDRESS:
Bellday Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 3687
Pittsburgh, PA 15230

Questions may be directed to:
office@belldaybooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Does the poet retain full rights?
   The poet retains full rights, but there must be an acknowledgement or citation of the book at each subsequent printing or printed use.
   
   
2. Will Bellday publish submitted poetry in any instance but the winner?
   Bellday may (or may not) approach poets who submitted other manuscripts and negotiate for publication of their manuscripts.
   
   
3. What will be done with rejected manuscripts?
   Manuscript paper will be recycled, as with virtually all other competitions.
   
   
4. Would you consider a manuscript co-authored by two poets?
   We will accept a manuscript in which two poets wrote the poems together. If it's merely two poets putting a book out together, the manuscript is not eligible for the award.
   
   
5. Is it okay if some of the poems were already published in a chapbook?
   As long as they are not the only poems in the book. The book can not just be a reprint of a chapbook.
   
   
6. Is the contest only open to U.S. citizens?
   The only stipulation is that the poetry be in English. Anyone can enter.
   
   
7. Who are the prescreening judges?
   There will be 5-8 preliminary screeners from around the country, all of whom are writers, students or otherwise involved with literature.
   
   
8. Is it a one-time or ongoing award?
   It is an annual award.
   
   
9. What kind of poetry do you want?
   Good poetry of any style on any subject will be considered. Linda Gregerson will make the final selection.
   
   
10. Are you posting an announcement anywhere?
    We are posting announcements in the January-February issues of both Poets & Writers and American Poetry Review.
    
    
11. When do you plan to announce winners?
    We hope to announce the winner by July 14, 2009.