(MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa)–The deadline for entering Iowa Poetry Association’s (IPA) 73rd Annual “Lyrical Iowa” is fast approaching, with a due date of Wednesday, Feb. 28. “Lyrical Iowa” is an annual anthology comprised of poems written by Iowa writers of all ages. Each year, top-ranking poems are awarded cash prizes in each category and age-level while many are showcased in the perfect-bound book. The 2018 edition will be printed and made available for public purchase later this year.

“Entries for the 2017 book came from 68 of Iowa’s 99 counties,” says Pam Blomgren, IPA’s representative for Mahaska County. “There were 341 poems chosen for publication from 2,026 entries.”

Mahaska County had two individuals published in last year’s book: Blomgren herself as well as Keegan Joel Vandevender, a student at William Penn University.

Blomgren encourages any Mahaska County resident who writes to consider entering this year’s contest. She said there are no entry fees, and the contest is open to anyone with an Iowa residence. Students whose homes are in Iowa but are studying outside the state are eligible to enter as are out-of-state students attending Iowa schools. As with any writing contest, rules and guidelines must be strictly adhered to. Complete information is available on Iowa Poetry’s website, www.iowapoetry.com.

Up to five poems can be entered and each poem must be 20 lines or less. Cash prizes and Honorable Mentions will be awarded in each category: Adult general, sonnet, national/world events, haiku, poems for children, humorous verse; College, Division; High School Division; Grade School Division (K-8). There are additional student and undergraduate opportunities as well. With the exception of the adult division, which has a preferred email submission method, all poems must be mailed and postmarked by February 28. Each division has their own mailing address so it’s important for those submitting poems go to IPA’s web site to make sure submissions are sent to the correct address.

Visit www.iowapoetry.com complete contest rules, guidelines, and submission information.

Blomgren says she’s also happy to answer questions and can be contacted via email at blomgren@mahaska.org.

Iowa Poetry Association is a non-profit organization whose sole objective is to promote interest in and appreciation for better poetry by Iowans of all ages. Membership is open to any individual or group with an Iowa address.