Simplified Rules
In the event of any question about the rules of this contest, the unabridged rules shall be deemed correct. Questions about these rules may be directed to the Executive Director of Utmost Christian Writers Foundation, Nathan Harms.
? Who can enter?
? What
are the prizes?
? When is the deadline?
? How
much are the entry fees?
? Where
do I send my poems?
? Are
there limitations on the types of poems permitted?
? Who
judges this contest?
? How
are winners notified?
? Entry
form
Who can enter?
This contest is open only to Christians,
but it is open to all Christians. You do not need to be
a member of Utmost Christian Writers or any other organization to enter this contest. There will
be no favoritism shown to poets of any particular age, gender, church
affiliation or nation.
What are the prizes?
$2,000 in cash prizes are offered. GRAND PRIZE: $500.00 / SECOND PRIZE: $300.00 / THIRD PRIZE: $100.00 / HONORABLE MENTIONS (15): $50.00 each / BEST RHYMING POEM: $250.00 / BEST TRADITIONAL RHYMING POEM: $100.00
All prizes are paid in American dollars.
When is the deadline?
Your entries, accompanied by an official entry form and the correct fees,
must be postmarked no later than August 31, 2008.
How much are the entry fees?
There is a fee of $15 for each poem entered, with a maximum of
7 poems per entrant. Canadian entrants should submit their fees in Canadian
dollars. American entrants (and all other non-Canadian entrants) should
submit their fees in American (US) dollars. Cash, checks and money orders
are accepted, but if sending us a money order from the United States please
be sure it is an International money order. It must say "International
Postal Money Order" on the face. Make your check payable to: Utmost Christian Writers. You
may also use your credit card to securely pay your fees over the Internet
(see button on the entry form).
Where do I send my entries?
Send
your entries, with a signed official
entry form, to: Utmost Christian Writers Poetry Contest, 121 Morin
Maze, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6K 1V1 (Do not send entries by
email.)
Are there limitations on the types of poems permitted?
Poems may be rhymed or free verse, up to sixty (60) lines. Poems need
not be religious in content. Poems are judged solely on the quality of
writing, not the content. Poems must not have been previously
published, nor may they be simultaneously entered in any other contest.
Each poem must be typed as a separate manuscript, with no name or other identification on it. If your poem requires multiple pages, number the pages.
Who judges this contest?
Poems
will be judged by an independent committee of poets under the administration
of Utmost Christian Writers Foundation director, Barbara
Mitchell. Under no circumstances will Utmost Christian Writers or
the judges enter into discussion with any contestant.
How are winners notified?
Winners
will be announced in Edmonton, Alberta, on October 6. Winners
need not be in attendance personally in order to receive
their prizes. Prizes will be mailed to winners not present, and winners will also be announced on
the Utmost Christian Writers web site: http://www.utmostchristianwriters.com/index.php.
Payments are made by postal money order so that prizes may be cashed by the winners at any postal office without bank charges being assessed.
In previous years we have had a number of people ask whether they are "Christian" for the sake of our contest. It's not our desire to judge religious beliefs—or to enter into doctrinal disputes—but we hope the following will be helpful.
If you are Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or any other identifiable religion that does not put forth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior, then you are not a Christian for the purposes of our contest. If you are an agnostic or atheist you are also not a Christian for the purposes of this contest. We mean no disrespect to you or your faith.
A Christian is a person who believes Jesus Christ is the only Savior, that He died for the sins of the world and that He rose from the dead. A Christian has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus' life for his or her personal sins, and is attempting to live as Jesus Christ taught we should.
Aside from these basics, we ask you to judge for yourself if you are a Christian.