When was the Wergle Flomp Poetry Contest launched?
2002.

How many contestants entered in 2007?
901.

Who won the previous contests?
2007: Erica Angle-Newman, 2006: Nicholas Moore, 2005: Alan Farrell, 2004: Chris Kuehn, 2003: Callaghan Howard, 2002: Rick Lupert.

Is there any age restriction?
No - open to all ages.

Is there any country restriction?
No - open to contestants from any nation.

Are my poems judged anonymously?
Yes.

May I submit by mail?
No - please submit online.

May I submit via email?
No - please submit online.

May I include illustrations or photos with my entry?
No.

May I submit work that has two or more authors?
Yes - the authors will share any prize.

May I submit previously published work?
Yes, as long as you have the copyright.

May I submit my poem simultaneously to you and to other contests and publishers?
Yes.

May I submit a poem that has been translated from another language?
Yes, if you wrote the original poem.

Will you return my entry after the contest?
No - please keep a copy of your work.

By entering, am I making any commitment to buy anything?
No - entry is free.

What is a vanity contest?
Vanity contests are usually free to enter. They are characterized by low standards, and are willing to publish most of the submissions they receive (typically half or more). They primarily market their publications to the contestants themselves, often at high prices. Few copies are sold to independent buyers or libraries. To stimulate sales, vanity contests often lavish praise on many entries, even some remarkably bad ones. Anthologies are a common vanity contest product. Others may sell chapbooks, silver bowls and conferences where you are to receive an award (but you have to pay to attend). A vanity contest is not necessarily a "scam". It may well disclose its terms and selection procedures fully and accurately. Winning them, however, does little for most authors beyond stroking the ego. Click here for an example of a vanity contest that accepts nearly everything.

How do I know the Wergle Flomp contest is not itself a vanity contest or scam?
This contest is selective. Only a small number of the poems we receive will be honored and published on WinningWriters.com. See our many testimonials from members of the poetry community. The Wergle Flomp contest is sponsored by Winning Writers, named by Writer's Digest as one of the "101 Best Web Sites for Writers" (2005-2007). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Who is Wergle Flomp?
Wergle Flomp is a pen name of poet, journalist and dedicated scam-fighter David Taub. Mr. Taub has done his level best to get a poem rejected by Poetry.com, and failed. Click here to see the Wergle Flomp poem that inspired the contest. Mr. Taub has kindly allowed us to invoke Wergle's name.

Will I keep the copyright to my work?
Yes. You keep the copyright to your submission. If you achieve finalist status or better, Winning Writers only requests permission to publish your work on WinningWriters.com, in our email publications, and in our press releases. Any other use would be negotiated with you.

When I submit my poem to a vanity contest, may I use a pen name?
Yes.

My poem exceeds the vanity contest's line limits. What should I do?
Submit it to the vanity contest in sections.

After I submit my poem to a vanity contest, must I receive a response to qualify for the Wergle Flomp Contest?
No.

If I submit my poem to a vanity contest and they later remove it from their site, can it still win the Wergle Flomp Contest?
Yes.

Explain the odd prize amounts.
Our seventh contest will award $3,336.40 in cash prizes. The first prize of $1,359.00 represents the price of two registration fees to a Poetry.com Convention and Symposium ($595.00 each), plus a Poetry.com Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup ($169.00). The second prize of $764.00 represents the price of one registration fee to a Poetry.com Convention and Symposium ($595.00), plus a Poetry.com Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup ($169.00). The third prize of $338.00 represents the price of two Poetry.com Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cups ($169.00 each). Twelve honorable mention poets will receive prizes of $72.95 each, which represents the price of a Poetry.com walnut finish beveled poem plaque ($38.00 each) and a Poetry.com cotton washable poem tote bag ($34.95 each).

Do you rent any contestant information to third parties?
No. Please click here for our full privacy policy.

What is Winning Writers? Winning Writers was founded in 2001 by Jendi Reiter and Adam Cohen. Its mission is to find and create the best resources for poets and writers. It publishes the expert online guide Poetry Contest Insider and sponsors two annual poetry contests. Click here for links to Winning Writers from around the web and praise for our work.

How can I find out more?
Please contact us.