The Ohio Poetry Day Association (OPDA) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Ohio Poet of the Year. This annual competition invites submissions to join a prestigious list of former award winners, including Mary Oliver, David Baker, Kari Gunter-Seymour, and Maggie Smith. If you've recently published a book of poetry (self-published NOT eligible) check out the rules below and throw your hat into the ring. Poet Joanne Greenway is Chair for Ohio Poet of the Year 2025.
For those of you who aren’t as familiar with OPOTY, please check out this Ohio Poet of the Year Association site. Nomination Guidelines for Ohio Poet of the Year, 2025 are linked here, and also copied below for your convenience.
Nomination Guidelines OPOTY
Poets are invited to self-nominate by submitting their books, along with their complete
contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email) and a bio (50-100
words).
Books may also be nominated by others, such as a publisher, editor, poet colleague or
poetry group.
There is no form to fill out, no fee, and no letter of recommendation is necessary.
The poet must be a native or a resident of Ohio or, if neither, must have previously lived
in Ohio and established close ties to the state.
The poet must submit two copies of the book. Books will not be returned. Book length: at
least 48 pages of poetry. (No chapbooks.) Illustrations and photographs are not included
in the page count. The page count does include: front matter and title pages.
Nominated books may be from a commercial, university, small or hybrid press,
but vanity books and self-published books will not be considered.
They may have received previous awards or honors.
They must have been published between July 1, 2023 and May 1, 2025.
They must be the work of one poet, not part of an edited anthology including
various poets.
No translations.
Poets who have previously entered the contest but did not win, may submit a different
book.
No one will be chosen a second time as Poet of the Year.
Note: Nominated books must be received on or before May 15, 2025.
Prize Money: $200.00 and a plaque.
The winner will be invited to speak at the OPDA luncheon and a poem from the poet’s winning entry will be the lead-off poem OPDA’s The Best of 2025 book.
Results will be announced approximately 6 weeks following the submission deadline, or around July 1, 2025.
Mail two copies of the book plus the additional requested information to:
Ohio Poet of the Year Contest
ATTN: Joanne Greenway, Contest Chair
810 Matson Pl., Unit 1602
Cincinnati, OH 45204
Questions? Contact Joanne Greenway, jgreenway978@gmail.com
