5 Reasons to Polish Your Poetry this Year by Entering Free, Local Writing Contests

At The AVBOB Poetry Project, we believe in the power of poems. If you want to experience the transformative force of poetry too, we can help you. It’s an art form that has been around since humans could first write and has always been a method of communicating deep emotions and big ideas uniquely and imaginatively. While the common rules and conventions may seem intimidating or confusing for beginners, we walk you through some fundamental rules for writing outstanding poetry.

1. Writing Contests Give You Confidence in Your Skills
   
   One of the most common reasons many writers shy away from writing contests is the fear that their work might not be good enough. The truth is, however, that nobody starts out perfect, and the only way to grow as a poet is to keep putting your work out there. Entering poetry contests can help you build confidence in your voice and style, and just submitting a piece is already an accomplishment because it’s a step toward sharing your art with others. The AVBOB Poetry Project encourages poets of all levels of expertise to participate because it’s not about perfection; it’s about expressing your unique perspective.
   
   
2. Challenge Yourself with Deadlines
   
   Are you someone who starts projects strong, only to never finish them? Writing contests come with submission deadlines, which can be a real motivator to finish what you started and avoid procrastination. Our current AVBOB poetry competition runs until November 30th, 2024, giving you ample time to create, refine, and submit a piece that reflects your best effort. Use the timeline to push yourself, set smaller milestones, and submit your verses in time.
   
   
3. Connect with a Talented Local Community of Poets
   
   Writing might be a solitary pursuit, but it doesn’t have to feel isolating. Poetry contests like the AVBOB Poetry Project create a sense of community among South African writers. When you enter your poem, you become part of something bigger, filled with creatives who, just like you, have felt compelled to share their deepest emotions and stories. This shared experience is like a collective conversation between poets from all over South Africa across all 11 official written languages, showing that poetry truly speaks beyond social constructs and backgrounds.
   
   
4. You Might Become a Published Poet
   
   For many writers, getting published is a dream. Winning or even being shortlisted in a poetry contest can open doors to publication. The AVBOB Poetry Project not only offers winners an exciting cash prize of R10 000 but also gives writers a platform to have their work published in a beautiful print anthology alongside other talented poets. You also have the chance to have your work featured on the AVBOB Poetry Competition website and other platforms.
   
   
5. Push Your Creative Boundaries to Their Limit
   
   One of the best parts of entering a writing contest is the chance to push your creative boundaries. Contests often provide themes or prompts, which can be incredibly helpful if you feel creatively blocked. These themes help you focus, providing a spark that can inspire something fresh and unexpected. The AVBOB Poetry Contest invites poems that reflect on themes of birth, death, love, hope, and new beginnings. These are universal experiences, yet each writer has a unique story to tell, meaning you can explore the themes as you wish and grow as a writer.
   
   

Enter Today and Stand a Chance to Win R10 000

The AVBOB Poetry Project is here to encourage and uplift diverse writers across South Africa. Now, you have the thrilling opportunity to enter a competition that allows you to share your voice and perhaps even win that R10 000 cash prize. Through writing contests like this, you’re given the chance to share your perspective with the world and let others see life through your eyes. You might even find that your words will be the ones someone needs to hear. If you would like to know more about entering this year’s exciting contest, talk to us here.