Telluride Institute Talking Gourds Poetry Program
Annual international English-language poetry contest open to writers of all ages worldwide, with a $1,000 first prize and five $250 finalist awards.
The Fischer Prize is a 30th Annual International Poetry Contest run by the Telluride Institute's Talking Gourds Poetry Program (TGPP), open to English-language poets of all ages living anywhere in the world. All styles and subject matter are welcome.
Judge & Prizes
This year's final judge is Virginia poet Lesley Wheeler. Prizes include a $1,000 first place award and five $250 finalist awards. Winners are typically notified privately by mid-October, with a public announcement on the TGPP website shortly after.
Entry Fees
The base fee is $14 per poem. A $7 discount applies to the third poem submitted: 2 poems = $28, 3 poems = $35, 4 poems = $49, and so on. An optional feedback service costs an additional $10 per poem, in which the programme director shares how your poem ranked in judging, possibly with constructive comments.
Submission Requirements
Copyright
By submitting, poets affirm they own the copyright and grant TGPP permission to publish the poem on their website and in any future anthology. All other rights revert to the poet.
Judging Process
Submissions go through an eight-step review process before finalists are sent anonymously to the final judge. Around 6 poems are selected as winner and outstanding finalists, with 50+ finalists and 100+ semi-finalists also recognised.
For questions, contact art@tellurideinstitute.org. A mail-in option is available for those without computer access (additional $10 handling fee applies).
