The League of Canadian Poets invites youth to participate in its annual Poetic Licence Contest. Prizes in each age category:

• National winners: 1st prize: $300, 2nd prize: $200, 3rd Prize: $100.
• Regional Winners for four regions: BC, Yukon; Prairies/Northwest Territories; Ontario, Quebec; Maritimes. 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes for each region will receive prize packages which will include poetry stickers, poetry posters, books and gift certificates to buy books from League's on-line poetry bookstore, www.poets.ca.
• 5 Honourable Mentions per region.

All winners will get official POETIC LICENCE and a student membership at the League of Canadian Poets for one full year and mentoring from a League member.

All winning and honourable mention poems will be published in an ANTHOLOGY, produced by the League and a Canadian literary publisher. Each winner and honourable mention will receive a copy of the anthology.

Deadline: Entries postmarked by December 1.

Entry Guidelines

1. There are two age categories: Junior, grades 7 - 9 and Senior, grades 10 - 12 (OAC in Ontario)
2. Poems may be of any subject matter, type or style. Poems must be previously unpublished and must be your own work.
3. Length of each poem submitted must not exceed one page. There is no limit to the number of poems you may submit. Poetry must be English language.
4. All entries must be typed, single-sided, on plain 81/2" x 11" paper. Pages should not be stapled together. The title of each poem should appear at the top of the page.
5. Name, address, and phone number must appear on each poem. You must also put your name, age, grade, name of school, your home address and phone number on a separate sheet of paper, along with the titles of the poems entered.
6. Entries will not be returned, (always keep a copy of the poems submitted- do not send originals).
7. Entry fee is $5 per poem or $3 per poem for 3 or more poems or $2.50 per poem for 30 or more poems (group submission rate). Payment must be by cheque or money order, in Canadian funds, payable to The League of Canadian Poets. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of our group submission rate and make the competition a class project.
8. Winners will be announced during April, the National Poetry Month, and posted on the League's web-site (www.poets.ca). Announcements will be sent to the media, and the winners will be notified by mail. Address entries to Poetic Licence Contest, League of Canadian Poets, 54 Wolseley Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1A5.

Copyright remains with the poet. Winners will be asked for the first rights to publish their work. Should an entry be published elsewhere during the course of the contest, we ask that the entrant notify the League immediately. Revisions on any poem will not be accepted after it has been entered. All decisions of the jury are final. Contest is open to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. Members of the League's National Council, staff or the contest judges or their families are not eligible to enter these competitions. No electronic or fax submissions will be accepted.