John C. Rezmerski Memorial Manuscript Competition (2026)
Submissions open through September 15, 2026 (11:59PM)
DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 11:59 PM.
PRIZE:
- One winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000.00 and publication. Honorable mentions will be noted at the Judge’s discretion.
- Winner will also receive 20 free copies of their book; League of Minnesota Poets will sell additional published books.
- Winner will be announced at League of Minnesota Poets Fall 2026 Conference and posted after the conference online (https://www.mnpoets.org).
- Publication and reading of winning manuscript will be at the following League of Minnesota Poets Spring conference.
- Note: First place winners will not be eligible to compete in the year following their win.
ENTRY FEE:
- League members: $15.00
- Non-Members: $25.00
Unpaid submissions will be disqualified.
WHAT: A poetry manuscript to be a minimum of 40 pages to a maximum of 60 pages, including any table of contents. No pictures, illustrations, or borders. Submit as a Microsoft Word document (.docx). PDF is also accepted.
Poems within the manuscript may be previously published. Simultaneous submissions permitted but must notify if manuscript wins elsewhere. Manuscripts will be judged anonymously; your name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript and there should be no identifying marks within the submitted manuscript.
Do NOT include acknowledgements or dedication page. Dedications and acknowledgements page will be added to winning manuscript.