Woven Words: Teen Voices from the Central Valley

Poetry 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?  Categories to include:

• Place
• Identity
• Culture
• Connection
• Imagining/Reimagining
  

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 open OCTOBER 15, 2026.

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 up to 2 poems
• Length: Each poem should not exceed 40 lines
• Format: Submit using form (form opens soon!)
• Language: Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, and other languages

🏫 ELIGIBILITY

Who Can Enter:

• High school-age youth
• Living or attending school in Stanislaus County, California
• All high school-age students welcome, including dual-enrollment as well as systems-impacted youth

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HOW TO SUBMIT

CHECK BACK ON OCTOBER 15, 2026

Other Ways to Submit

Email

You can also email submissions to: vzeff.ypl@mostpoetry.org

Subject line format: “Poetry Contest Submission – [Your Last Name]”

Mail

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 celebrated to the awards ceremony and book launch

📅 IMPORTANT DATES

• Submissions Open: October 15, 2026
• Submission Deadline: December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Winner Notification: February 2027
• Anthology Publication: March 2027
• Anthology Reception & Reading: TBD, May-early June 2027

For more information, please review our Submission Guidelines.

Any questions? Connect with us at ypl@mostpoetry.org.