2026 Nebraska Poetry Society
Open Poetry Contest
$400 First Prize + Publication
Send us your strongest poems.
The Nebraska Poetry Society's annual Open Poetry Contest welcomes poets from Nebraska and beyond, at every stage of their writing lives. All styles, subjects, and forms of poetry are welcome.
Submissions open October 1, 2026
Submissions close November 31, 2026, or when the contest reaches 100 entrants, whichever comes first. Each $20 entry may include up to three poems.
Prizes
First Place: $400
Second Place: $200
Third Place: $100
All winning and honorable mention poems will be published in the Nebraska Poetry Society's online publication, The Poet Rabble.
2026 Guest Judge
Brad Aaron Modlin
Brad Aaron Modlin came to Nebraska to be a professor/The Reynolds Endowed Chair of Creative Writing at University of Nebraska, Kearney and teach undergraduates & in the online creative writing master’s program. The sandhill cranes were a bonus!
His internationally viral poetry has been experienced two million times. His book Everyone at This Party Has Two Names is available from Black Lawrence Press. His work appears in the Pushcart Prize anthology; Brevity; Poetry Unbound; The Slowdown; & The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Also orchestral scores, Australian art galleries, Brooklyn public art, and his grampa’s refrigerator.
He has received support from the Banff Centre, Sewanee Writer’s Conference, & the Nebraska Arts Council. He likes talking with strangers and asking friends to share examples of hope.
How Judging Works
All entries are judged anonymously.
A team of first readers will review submissions and select approximately 30 finalist poems. The guest judge will select the first-, second-, and third-place winners and may also select an honorable mention.
First readers and the guest judge will recuse themselves from evaluating any work they recognize or where a conflict of interest exists.
Winners will be announced by December 31, 2026
Submission Guidelines
Entry fee: $20 for up to three poems.
Eligibility: The contest is open to poets everywhere. Nebraska residency and Nebraska Poetry Society membership are not required.
Original work: Submitted poems must be the entrant's original work.
Publication status: Poems must be previously unpublished in print or online, including personal websites, blogs, and social media.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If a poem is accepted elsewhere or wins another contest, please withdraw it promptly through Submittable.
Length: Each poem may be up to three pages.
Format: All forms and styles of poetry are welcome. Submit text only; please do not include images. Upload each poem as a separate document using a clear, readable font.
Blind judging: Do not include your name or other identifying information anywhere on the poem or in the file name.
Language: Poems must be submitted in English.
One entry per poet: Each poet may submit one entry of up to three poems.
Generative AI
Submitted poems must represent the original creative work of the entrant. Poems generated wholly or in part by generative AI are not eligible.
Publication Rights
Winning poets grant the Nebraska Poetry Society first publication rights for publication in The Poet Rabble. All rights revert to the poet after publication, while NPS retains the right to maintain the winning work in its online archive and to promote the contest and its winners.
Supporting Poetry
Contest entry fees help the Nebraska Poetry Society provide accessible literary programming, educational opportunities, readings, workshops, and other resources for poets.
Questions? Contact us at thepoets@nepoetrysociety.org.