See this journal for more up to date information, entries, judges, and prizes: [link]

CONTEST

Calling all writers! This is a competition for found poetry!

What is found poetry?
Found poetry is the creation of a poem by taking words, phrases, or sentences that one encounters in everyday life and turning them into a poem by adding and deleting words and rearranging the content.

How do I find material to write a found poem?
To enter this competition, you need to get inspired! Look around you for a couple days and observe the words you see, on posters, walls, graffiti, brochures, bulletin boards, and anywhere else words might be hiding. There's no doubt that there are many more than you thoughy. Write them down, and this material will be used to write your poem.

How do I write a found poem?
Using the words and phrases you have found, compose a poem. You can delete words, rearrange them, and even add a few words, but do this sparingly. It's not a found poem if half of the words came out of your head. Be creative, and use context to change the meaning of words.

How do you know I found the words?
I don't. That's the simple truth. I can't follow you around to see if you're really collecting words. I'm trusting that you want to do this in the spirit of a new experience, and will truly write a found poem. However, poems that were obviously not found poems (such as strict forms with intricate rhyming) will be disqualified. I'm not saying that forms or rhymes are against the rules, however. You can still use them.

So all I have to do is write a found poem and submit it?
Nope! There's a second part to this contest. I want to know what inspired you. As the preview image for your poem you must include a photograph of somewhere or something that gave you some of your found words. I don't expect superior quality photos (though there's nothing wrong with them; feel free to submit them), and I won't be judging on the quality, just the fact that it's there and that it has at least one of your found words on it. Feel free to snap it with your cell phone, as long as it's submitted. A deviantART poll revealed that more than 67% of deviantART has a cell phone with a camera (not including the 11% who skewed the poll), but if you still have an issue, feel free to note me, and we'll work it out.

How do I submit?
Send a note to me, =moonfreak, with the subject "Found Poem Contest Entry" and a thumbnail image of the submission in the body of the message. The artist's comments on the submission should have:
a link to this journal or the news article: [link soon].
a short explanation of the poem and how you feel about it, even if it's only a sentence. I want to know about your inspiration!

TL;DR

Write a found poem.
Take a photo of somewhere or something where you found a word or phrase, and submit it as the preview image.
Include a link to this journal or the news article: [link soon] in the artist's comments.
Write a short explanation about your poem. Even a sentence is fine.
Send a note to =moonfreak with the subject "Found Poem Contest Entry" and include a thumbnail of the deviation in the body of the message.

CONTEST FAQ

When is the deadline?
All entries need to be received by midnight (East Coast USA) on March 31, 2009. That's more than a month, so I expect awesomeness!

Who are the judges?
Currently, I, =moonfreak, am the only judge. If you would like to be a judge, please note me. Judges are allowed to enter the contest, but they will not be able to vote for themselves.

How many entries per deviant?
Only one entry can be submitted per deviant. I want you to work your hardest on it!

Do I have to accept the prizes?
No. You may ask for the prizes to be given to someone else if you win. Prizes will be discussed with the winner after the contest is over.

Any other questions? Feel free to comment.

PRIZES!

Yes, the part you've all been waiting for! If there are at least ten entries, these will be the prizes, so submit, submit, submit! (Donations are from =moonfreak unless otherwise stated.)

First Place
3 month subscription
1 month journal feature

Second Place
1 month subscription
2 week journal feature

Want to donate a prize? Please note =moonfreak. Even a "simple journal feature" is a great help! If you donate a prize you are still welcome to enter the contest.