First Place

$150

Publication in Summer 2025

Serve as Judge for 2026 HeartWood Poetry Prize

 

Runner(s)-Up

$50

Publication in Summer 2025

2025 CONTEST JUDGED BY

2024 HeartWood Poetry Prize Winner

BLeah Patterson

 

Bleah Patterson is a queer, southern poet from Texas. Much of her work explores the contention between identity and home and has been featured or is forthcoming in various journals including Electric Literature, Pinch, Grist, The Laurel Review, Phoebe Literature, The Rumpus, and Taco Bell Quarterly. 

 

CONTEST INFORMATION

  • Submission Period: May 15 — June 15, 2025.

  • All submissions through Submittable with a $5 reading fee.

  • Poets may submit up to 3 previously unpublished poems, 5 pages maximum.

  • Cover letter should include a third-person biography of approximately 75 words.

  • Submission file should not include your name or any other identifying information.

  • Previous first prize winners (including HeartWood’s former Broadside Contest) are not eligible, nor are associates, friends, or students of the judge.

  • Current or past employees, current or past students, and alumni of the MFA program at WVWC are not eligible.

  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Let us know immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere by sending us a note through Submittable.

  • Submissions not adhering to our guidelines will not be considered.