Name: Words Without Borders 2021 Poems in Translation Contest
Category: Poetry (translated from other languages to English)
Word count: maximum of 3 poems (each not exceeding 40 lines)
Entry fee: Free
Prize: $150 for each winning poets and translators
Closing date: April 16, 2021
Founded in 2003, Words Without Borders fosters cultural understanding through the translation, publication, and promotion of the finest contemporary international literature.
Words Without Borders is pleased to announce the 2021 Poems in Translation Contest to spotlight some of the ground-breaking poets working around the world today and to celebrate the art of translating poetry.
The contest is open to contemporary international poetry translated from other languages into English. Four winning translated poems will be co-published on Words Without Borders, the digital magazine for international literature, and in Poem-a-Day, the popular daily poetry series produced by the Academy of American Poets, throughout September, which is National Translation Month.
The winning poems will be selected by acclaimed poet Airea D. Matthews, along with the editors of Words Without Borders. The winning poets and translators will be awarded $150 each. (In the case of multiple translators, the translator award shall be split evenly). Submissions will be accepted through 11:59 pm ET on April 16, 2021. Due to the high number of submissions they receive, only winners will be contacted.
Submission guidelines:
- Entries must be submitted by translators and include both original- language texts and translations. Self-translations are eligible.
- Only poems translated from languages other than English are eligible.
- Only first English translations will be considered. Retranslations of poems already available in English are not eligible.
- Translations must be unpublished.
- Translations must not be under contract for publication.
- Authors of original poems must be living.
- Translators must have confirmed that English translation rights are available.
- Translators may submit up to three poems. (All three poems need not have the same author. Similarly, co-translations are also eligible.)
- Individual poems must not exceed forty lines.
- Submissions must include brief bios for authors and translators.
To enter the contest, visit Submittable. If this is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create a FREE account with them. Instructions for this will appear after you hit the submit link. It’s easy and quick.
Find other writing contests here.
