15 Annual Canadian Poetry Contests

It can be hard for poets to gain a foothold in the literary community; sometimes the best option is to submit to every poetry contest you possibly can. In that spirit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 annual poetry contests for emerging and established poets alike.

1. Arc Poetry Poem of the Year
   • Contest only open until February 1st so get your entry in soon! Winner will receive a whopping $5000!
   • Arc Poetry has many poetry contests as well as year-round open submissions. Check out their submissions info!
2. CBC Poetry Prize
   • This Contest is also opening for submissions in April. The winner receives $6000 as well as a 10-day residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity! Shortlist finalists also receive $1000 and have their poem published.
3. CV2’s 2 Day Poem Contest
   • This contest gives you 48 hours to write an original poem in 48 hours — the poem must include 10 words provided by CV2. New words each year, words are revealed at the start of the 48 hour clock.
   • CV2 also offers the Foster Poetry Contest for emerging poets.
4. Dreamers Haiku Contest
   • Wait, what? That’s right, we’ve got a poetry contest too! Due day is every May 31. Click the link to find out more and perhaps you’ll find yourself published right here!
5. Free fall Annual Prose and Poetry Contest
   • $2000 in prizes, first prize of $500. Contest is open for submissions December through April.
   • Contest opens March 1st. First Prize will be published plus receive $500 and an additional $50 going to each of two runners up. All entrants receive a digital subscription to Pulp Literature Magazine.
6. Magpie Award for Poetry – Pulp Literature
   • Contest opens March 1st. First Prize will be published plus receive $500 and an additional $50 going to each of two runners up. All entrants receive a digital subscription to Pulp Literature Magazine.
7. McNally Robinson Booksellers Poetry Award – Prairie Fire
   • Contest deadline is Nov. 30, first prize is $750 and a chance to present at literary festival Thin Air.
8. Muriel’s Journey Poetry Prizey
   • This prize honours the vitality, vivacity and outspoken presence of poet-activist Muriel Marjorie, who passed on in the fall of 2018.
9. Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest – The New Quarterly
   • For poems written in response to an occasion, personal or public, or that make something ordinary into an occasion .
10. The Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize
    • $1500 top prize open to all writers, international and Canadian. 
11. RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers
    • A contest for both Short Fiction and Poetry, this contest offers $10000 to the winner and $2500 to the finalists. Deadline is January 24.
12. Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem – The Fiddlehead
    • The deadline for this contest is typically in early December, prize of $2000 awarded.
13. Room Fiction & Poetry Contest
    • Opening for submissions in April, First and Second prize winners in this Contest will be published in Room Magazine and receive $1000 and $250 respectively.
14. The Walrus Poetry Prize
    • This contest tends to appear and disappear so keep an eye on The Walrus website.
    • Last year’s deadline was in October so you’ve got some time to prepare for this $4000 dollar prize. Margaret Atwood is a former judge so bring your best!
15. Vallum Poetry Award
    • Top prize of $750, submissions must be original and unpublished.

Check out this guide to literary submissions in Canada. For more writing resources, subscribe to our mailing list.