• Planning to pay a submission fee and enter yet another poetry book contest? Read this eye-opener-article by Anis Shivani first.

“Everyone, including aspiring poets, including even those stuck in the MFA system, would be better off if the contest system were abolished, and publishers once again took responsibility for promoting individual strong aesthetics, rather than outsourcing the decision at every stage, and supporting safe conformist meeting-room-style outcomes.”

• And in case you want a different perspective, revisit this Writer’s Digest article on why writing contests are good for you.

“Numerous contest finals and wins validated my work. Indeed, I ultimately found my agent and publisher through contests.” — Kristin Bartley Lenz

So, how do you feel about contests? Share in the comments.

• In case you feel like entering a free poetry contest, try the rhupunt challenge for a chance to get published in Writer’s Digest.

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Image credit: Paul Cézanne. Young Man and Skull (Jeune homme à la tête de mort), 1896–1898. Oil on canvas, Overall: 51 3/16 x 38 3/8 in. (130 x 97.5 cm). BF929. Public Domain.