We are seeking submissions for our annual poetry contest provided by the late Karen McKinnon, accomplished poet and UNM English alumna.
The prize for 1st place is $1000, 2nd place is $500, and 3rd place is $250.
To be eligible, students must:
Be enrolled at least part-time at UNM at the undergraduate level
Have and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
Complete a thank you letter to the donor’s family upon notification of the award
Deadline for submissions is February 28, 2022
Please attach two pdf files. One file should contain the poem (with its title), but the student’s name and information should not appear in this file. The second file should consist of a cover page containing name, address, phone, email, poem title.
Submissions may be poems in form or free verse. Only one submission (of one poem) is allowed per student.
Poems should be 1 or 2 pages, no longer than 2 pages. (If necessary, two columns on a page would be acceptable.) Poems submitted should be unpublished and should not have won or placed in any other competition.
The winners will be announced in early April (National Poetry Month) and the awards will be featured at an English Department event and/or on the English Department webpage. The competition will be judged by a committee of faculty readers.
Email submissions to Professor Diane Thiel (dthiel@unm.edu). Professor Thiel will reply, acknowledging receipt of the poem.
For questions, contact Diane Thiel, Regents’ Professor & Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Annual Karen McKinnon Poetry Contest is Open for Submissions!
