Tiny Poem Anthology | A Youth Poet Laureate Project
Share your unique voice and experiences as a teen living in Stanislaus County. What stories do you have to tell? What moments, places, people, or feelings define your experience growing up here? Please submit very short poems (up to 5 lines long) connecting to one or more of these suggested theme categories:
- Agriculture
- Communities & Identity
- Environment
- Food & Culture
- Youth & Education
A prize of $50 will go to the poem that best represents each theme, but you don’t need to write about the themes to participate in the anthology! Submissions will be woven into one large poem which will then be published into an anthology titled Woven Words.
Contributors will receive a copy of the anthology at the Woven Words Reading & Celebration.
POETRY SUBMISSIONS
What We’re Looking For:
- Original poetry in any style or format (please no AI-authored poems)
- Creative formats welcome, including:
- Traditional poems
- Spoken word pieces
- Song lyrics
- Blackout poetry
- Visual/concrete poetry
- Haikus, free verse, and more!
Submission Requirements:
- Number of poems: Submit 1-3 poems
- Length: Each poem should not exceed 5 lines
- Format: Submit using form
- Language: Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, and other languages
🏫 ELIGIBILITY
Who Can Enter:
- High school students (grades 9-12)
- Must reside or attend school in Stanislaus County, California
- All high school students welcome!
HOW TO SUBMIT
Use the submission form below:
Other Ways to Submit
You can also email submissions to: vzeff.ypl@mostpoetry.org
Subject line format: “Poetry Contest Submission – [Your Last Name]”
Mail all information requested above to MoSt Poetry, PO Box 578940, Modesto CA 95357
🏆 PRIZES & RECOGNITION
- Top 5 winners will receive special recognition and prizes
- Selected works will be published in the official anthology
- All contributors will be invited to the awards ceremony and book launch
- Certificates awarded to all published poets
📅 IMPORTANT DATES
- Submissions Open: October 15, 2025
- Youth Poet Laureate Hangout/Write a Tiny Poem workshop: January 17 & 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom (see Calendar for links)
- NEW Submission Deadline:
January 31, FEBRUARY 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM - Winner Notification: February 2026
- Anthology Publication: March 2026
- Anthology Reception & Reading: TBD, May 2026
For more information, please review our Submission Guidelines.
Any questions? Connect with us at ypl@mostpoetry.org.
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