Poetry in Public

Word Version of Submission Form

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR POEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED WITH 2 BUSINESS DAYS, PLEASE CONTACT MARCIA BOLLINGER AT MARCIA-BOLLINGER@IOWA-CITY.ORG OR AT 319-356-5237.

Poetry in Public celebrates Iowa City’s rich literary tradition and local writing talent by displaying poems by writers of all ages in city buses, one of the downtown kiosks, and other public facilities from April (National Poetry Month) through the fall. Poems are also displayed in the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, the Scanlon Gymnasium/Mercer Park Aquatic Center, and the Iowa City Public Library.

2009 Selected Poets and their Poetry

2008 Selected Poets and their Poetry

2007 Selected Poets and their Poetry

2006 Selected Poets and their Poetry

Submissions for the 2010 PIP program will be due February 5, 2010.

Rules for submission include:

• You must be a resident of Johnson County, Iowa to have your work considered.
• Only one poem per author will be considered.
• The poem can be no more than 7 lines (not including the title) and can be either an existing or new work.
• Poems are generally published as is; therefore, we ask that teachers and/or parents work with students on proper spelling and punctuation before submission.
• An excerpt from a longer poem will be considered if it can stand alone.
• Poems will be judged on quality of writing as well as accessibility and suitability for public display before a general audience.
• Special complex formatting of submitted poems should be avoided, particularly “Word Art” type word/graphics and words/letters that are diagrammed as pictures.
• If reprint permissions are required, please get permission prior to submitting your work.
• Please include any special formatting requirements for your poem in your submission.
• Include your name, address, and phone number with your e-mail submission, or mail the attached form with your submission.
• Submissions for the 2010 program are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2010.
• Copies of submitted poems will not be returned.

Send your poem to:

Poetry in Public Project, Attn: Marcia Bollinger
Office of Neighborhood Services
City Hall, 410 East Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240.

All poetry submissions will be judged by an independent panel of writing professionals, librarians, and the general public. Writers whose poems are chosen for display will be notified in early March. While there is no honorarium offered, each writer whose work is displayed will receive a copy of the poster featuring his/her poem.

The Poetry in Public project reserves the right to refuse poems that are too long or could be seen as unsuitable for public display. For more information contact: Marcia Bollinger, Office of Neighborhood Services at 319-356-5237 or marcia-bollinger@iowa-city.org.