October, 2026

Event Details
The Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest is organised by Winning Writers, a U.S.-based nonprofit that runs international writing contests for poets and prose writers. This annual competition highlights outstanding poems
Event Details
The Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest is organised by Winning Writers, a U.S.-based nonprofit that runs international writing contests for poets and prose writers. This annual competition highlights outstanding poems in any style or genre as well as traditional or rhymed poetry, offering substantial cash prizes and publication opportunities.
Entrants may submit up to three original poems per entry, each poem written in English and no longer than 250 lines. Poems may be previously published or unpublished; all are judged anonymously, and submissions should omit identifying information. The contest is open to writers globally (with some country restrictions due to U.S. government regulations on certain regions).
The competition is international, open to writers of any age and nationality whose work meets the guidelines. Submissions are made via the online entry system during the contest period, and winning poems are published on the Winning Writers website.
Prizes:
The contest awards two top prizes, each $3,500 — one for a poem in any style or genre (the Tom Howard Prize) and one for a poem that rhymes or uses a traditional style (the Margaret Reid Prize). In addition, ten honorable mentions of $500 each are given, and the top 12 entries are published online. Two-year Duotrope gift certificates are also awarded to the top two winners.
Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.
Subscribe to Writing Deadlines
Never miss a deadline again. The Writing Deadlines newsletter delivers curated, verified writing competitions, prizes, and open calls straight to your inbox — subscribe here.
Could your writing use a second pair of eyes?
ProWritingAid combines deep grammar and style checks with genre-specific reports on pacing, repetition, and readability, helping you self-edit like a pro before you submit your work. Get started here — it’s free to try!
