Your Poem Can Win $3,500, Publication, and an Original Illustration

To enhance the presentation of our Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest winners, we commission original artwork to go with their poems. This is an extra benefit of winning and incurs no expense on the poet's part. Please enjoy selected illustrations below.

This year's contest will award the Tom Howard Prize of $3,500 for a poem in any style or genre, and the Margaret Reid Prize of $3,500 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Ten Honorable Mentions will receive $500 each (any style). The top 12 entries will be published online. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope.

Submit three poems for one $25 entry fee. Both published and unpublished poems are welcome. Enter online via Submittable. Poets from most countries are eligible. Length limit per poem: 250 lines. Deadline: October 1.

Winning Writers is one of the "101 Best Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest, 2025).

Poem by D.T. Christensen, winner of the 2024 Tom Howard Prize. Illustration by Helen Bar-Lev.

Poem by Serrina Zou, winner of the 2024 Margaret Reid Prize. Illustration by Rowan Fridley.

Poem by Mikaela Hagen, winner of the 2023 Margaret Reid Prize. Illustration by Robin Larisch.

Poem by Tamara Panici, winner of the 2022 Margaret Reid Prize. Illustration by Melissa Chalhoub.

Poem by Maurya Kerr, winner of the 2022 Tom Howard Prize. Illustration by James Lee Chiahan.

Poem by Edythe Rodriguez, winner of the 2021 Margaret Reid Prize. Illustration by Malachi Lily.

Poem by Qin Qin, winner of the 2021 Tom Howard Prize. Illustration by Rowan Fridley.

Poem by Kayleb Rae Candrilli, winner of the 2020 Margaret Reid Prize. Illustration by Rowan Fridley.

Poem by Tony Keith Jr., winner of the 2020 Tom Howard Prize. Illustration by Anthony Pugh.