THE LITERARY TIMES CONTEST

CONCRETE POETRY CONTEST SUBMISSION

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FROM 1ST TILL 3OTH OF EVERY MONTH!

The Literary Times invites poets and writers to participate in our Concrete Poetry Contest, a six-month literary celebration culminating in a beautifully curated anthology. Each month, we will announce a new theme, and winners from all rounds will be published in our special year-end collection.

NOVEMBER Theme (last round)

\”Orbit\”

Everything moves in circles, planets, emotions, memories, even the people we can’t quite let go of. “Orbit” explores the invisible pull that keeps things in motion: the gravitational force between love and distance, creation and collapse, beginnings and inevitable returns.

For this theme, think of movement, repetition, gravity, and connection, both literal and metaphorical. Your shape poem can spiral, curve, or loop; it can represent orbits of planets, people, thoughts, or time itself. Interpret it freely, scientifically, romantically, philosophically, or abstractly.

Your challenge:
Craft a poem whose form mirrors its motion, where words revolve, circle, or return to themselves. Let the shape become the orbit, and the orbit become the story.

Contest Details

1. Contest Structure

  • Duration: Six months (six rounds total)
  • Frequency: One theme announced per month
  • Eligibility: Open to all writers; no submission fees
  • Publication: Winning poems will be featured in our December 2025 Anthology

2. Announcements & Communication

  • Winners: Announced exclusively on our social media channels (no individual emails will be sent)
  • Follow us: Stay updated via @literarytimesmag on Instagram.
SUBMIT HERE!!

Submission Guidelines:

1. Theme & Format

  • Each poem must adhere to the monthly theme (e.g., memories).
  • Concrete poetry: Your poem’s visual arrangement should enhance its meaning.
  • Length: The poem should be on a single page
  • File Format: Submit as a PDF or Google Doc link (to preserve formatting).

2. Originality & Rights

  • Original work only: No plagiarism, AI-generated content, or simultaneous submissions.
  • However we do accept previously published works (for our poetry contest only!).
  • Rights:
  • Winners grant first publication rights for the anthology.
  • Authors retain copyright but agree not to republish until six months post-release (June 2026).

3. Submission Process

  • One poem per theme per participant.
  • Deadline: Last day of each month (11:59 PM EST).
  • How to Submit: Use the google form link given ABOVE or the link provided on our social media platforms.

Selection & Publication

1. Judging Criteria
Poems will be evaluated based on:

  • Theme relevance: How well does your poem fit the theme?
  • Extraordinary shapes: How creative and unique is your shape?
  • Poetic merit: How well does your poem convey emotion and meaning?

2. Winner Announcements

  • Winners will be announced on our social media within one or two weeks of each deadline.
  • No emails will be sent—follow us to avoid missing results!

3. Anthology Details

  • Release: December 2025 (exact date TBA).
  • Contributor Copies: Free digital copy for all featured poets; print copies will be available for purchase.

FAQs

What is Concrete Poetry?

Concrete Poetry also known as visual or shaped poetry, is a form of poetry where the visual arrangement of words and letters on the page is as important as the meaning of the words themselves. The poem\’s shape, typography, and layout contribute to the overall meaning, often creating a visual image or pattern related to the poem\’s theme

Can I submit to multiple rounds?

Yes, only if you weren\’t selected in the previous round or in any round. Winners of the previous rounds (or any round) are not allowed to submit again. As we want to give everyone a chance to get published.

What if my poem doesn’t fit the theme?

Submissions that don’t align with the theme will be disqualified.

How are winners chosen?

Our editorial team selects based on creativity, form, and thematic resonance.

Is there any submission fee?

No, there\’s no submission fee, our contest are free for all.

Final Notes
We’re excited to see how you shape language into art. Follow us for theme reveals, deadlines, and winner announcements. Let’s build something extraordinary—one poem at a time.

—The Literary Times Team