FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many pages does my manuscript have to be?
A: While there is no minimum or maximum page count, most manuscripts are at least 40 pages and no more than 100 pages.
Q: I don't understand the two cover sheets. What do I do?
A: On one piece of paper, put only the title of your manuscript. On another piece, put the title of your manuscript, your name, address, and phone number. Please don't put your name anywhere else in the manuscript.
Q: Can the poems have been published before?
A: Yes. But the collection itself should be unpublished.
Q: Should I include acknowledgments?
A: If the poems have been published elsewhere, you may include acknowledgements, but they will not be seen by the screeners or the final judge.
Q: Are religious/western/erotic/etc. poems OK?
A: The contest is open to all themes and genres, though we highly recommend that you read some of the previous winners to gain a sense of the level of craft typical of the Colorado Prize for Poetry.
Q: Are translations OK?
A: Yes. You must, however, secure all permissions before submitting.
Q: My manuscript contains artwork. Is that OK?
A: Yes, as long as they're not originals; we don't return manuscripts.
Q: If I send you enough return postage, will you return my manuscript?
A: No.
Q: Do I have to live in Colorado to enter?
A: No.
Q: Do I have to live in the United States to enter?
A: No.
Q: What do you mean by “securely bound”?
A: You need to fasten your pages together somehow. You can use a clip, a rubber band, spiral binding—anything as long as the pages aren't loose.
Q: Are simultaneous submissions OK?
A: Yes. If your manuscript is selected for another prize before our contest ends, please notify us immediately.
Q: If my book wins, who owns the rights?
A: The author retains the copyright, but the Center for Literary Publishing (the publisher) controls the printing rights.
Q: Will the winning book be a paperback?
A: Yes.
Q: How many copies do you print?
A: Between 750 and 1000.
Q: Will the book be available in bookstores?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I get royalties?
A: The $1,500 honorarium is an advance against royalties.
Q: I entered the Colorado Prize last year. Can I submit the same manuscript again?
A: Yes. Each year we have different judges and different entries, so it's really a different contest every year.
Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes, but each entry must be accompanied by the $25 entry fee. If you do enter more than once, let us know what you'd like to do with the second subscription (send it to someone else or extend the subscription to two years). Please don't, however, enter twice with the same manuscript—it's not a drawing.
Q: How many entries do you get?
A: It varies year to year, but generally between 500 and 600.
Q: Who's the judge this year?
A: Paul Hoover.
Q: Who are the previous winners?
A: Jaswinder Bolina, Karen Garthe, Rusty Morrison, G. C. Waldrep, Robyn Ewing, Geoffrey Nutter, Sally Keith, Stephen Burt, Michael White, Catherine Webster, and Dean Young.
Q: Who are the previous judges?
A: Charles Simic, Charles Wright, Jane Miller, Mark Strand, Jorie Graham, Allen Grossman, Fanny Howe, Donald Revell, Forrest Gander, Cal Bedient, and Lyn Hejinian.
Q: Where do I send my entry?
A: Colorado Prize, Center for Literary Publishing, Dept. of English, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523.
Q: To whom do I make out the check?
A: Colorado Review.
Q: Can I pay by credit card?
A: Yes, as long as it's a Visa or a Mastercard.
Q: Can I send a money order?
A: Yes.