The winner of the inaugural Castlemaine Poetry Prize will get the chance to share the stage with national and international artists during the 2011 Castlemaine State Festival.
Festival director Martin Paten said the winning senior poet would be invited to read their entry during a poetry event at the festival, which runs from April 1-10.
Full details of the invitation will be released when the festival's official program is launched next Wednesday, February 9.
"We are delighted to support this initiative," Mr Paten said. "It actually fits in nicely with the overall vision of the festival, which is to connect local artists with other inspirational international artists who are participating in the festival."
Entries for the Castlemaine Poetry Prize are open to senior (over 16) and junior (under 16) poets from anywhere in Australia.
There is also a third category for the best poem by a Mount Alexander Shire resident (this section is only open to people who are ratepayers or permanent residents of the Shire).
Entries must not have been published or have won another prize, a strict maximum of 40 lines applies and all entries should be double spaced. Poets can choose any theme. Contact details should be enclosed but preferably not on the same page as the poem.
Award-winning Castlemaine poet Ross Donlon has agreed to judge the inaugural competition.
Elliott Midland Newspapers is proudly sponsoring the senior prize, which carries a first prize of $100. Mount Alexander Shire Council is sponsoring the junior prize ($50 book voucher) and Soldiers and Scholars Bookshop in Castlemaine is sponsoring the prize for the best poem by a Mount Alexander Shire resident.
Selected entries, including the winning poems, will be published in the Castlemaine Mail in the new year. Entries can be submitted via email to editcm@elliottmidnews.com.au or mailed to 2011 Castlemaine Poetry Prize, 29 Templeton Street, Castlemaine 3450 Victoria by no later than February 28, 2011. Entrants should keep a copy of their poems as they will not be returned. Winners will be announced in early March, 2011.
