Poetry Chapbook Contest $10 fee, 25 Copies – Two of Cups Press, DEADLINE: June 15, 2015

I read A LOT of submission guidelines, contest guidelines, and especially I spend A LOT of time wading through contests that charge fees to insure that when I spend my hard earned dough to submit to a contest, the press is not only legit, but offering a good value to contributors, supports writers in general, and does great work with a great aesthetic. This one does have a fee, but it meets all my criteria and I will be submitting!

I usually have only shared no/low fee submissions/contests, but this is a great one for emerging writers and I encourage you to spend some time on Two of Cups site and see if this contest is a good fit for your work as well.

Why is this a great chapbook contest?

• Fast turnaround time – winner will be announced on August 1, 2016
• Semi-low entry fee of $10 is still respectable compared to some contests which typically require $15 – $40 to enter
• The prize is inline with contests that often charge a much higher entry fee, 25 copies to the winner, 10 copies to two runner ups, and a list of honorable mentions who will receive recognition on their web site
• Support a new press who supports their contributors with promotion and kindness, and who are transparent about why they must charge the fees and how the funds are used

I asked Two of Cups founder Leigh Anne Hornfeldt why the fees are important to the success and longevity of her press:

Two of Cups Press is an independent small press with the occasional reading help of my peers and friends. The press is funded through my personal income in addition to small reading fees for contests and purchased books. Like most new small presses Two of Cups often runs at a loss, but sometimes we break even, which is why reading fees can be so vital. It is our goal to provide compensation to our poets in the form of books and hopefully in cash prizes in the future. Any profits are recycled back into the press to cover costs associated with printing, cover design and artwork, and gratis copies for our authors. We thank you for supporting independent presses and their authors.

You may also want to check out these chapbook related blog posts:

• Want to create a chapbook? Get it published or print your own . . .
• NO FEE Chapbook Publishers and other Chapbook Listings
• "A Crash Course in Shameless Book Promotion" Tips from Blue Light Press
• What is a chapbook and how do I create/submit one? by E. Kristen Anderson

For more info on how to submit to literary magazine and journals, read my Submission Tips here.

Click here to read contest guidelines and submit.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2016 

PRIZES: 25 copies to the winner, 10 copies to two runner ups, and a list of honorable mentions who will receive recognition on their web site

FORMS: Poetry

NOTES: 15-25 pages of poetry (or thereabouts, just try to keep it close)