The Brigitte Poirson Poetry Contest (BPPC), August/September 2022, is open for submissions! The theme is ‘Soro Soke: 2023 & Beyond’.
The 2023 general elections are near. It offers Nigerians another opportunity to map new directions. However, many are not optimistic like George Ehusani who had this to say in The Guardian: “Nigeria as a national entity is on the verge of collapse. All the indices of state failure are in place. There is an unprecedented level of impunity, and a never-before witnessed orgy of violence across the land.”
For this edition, we want you to tell us about your aspirations, doubts, fears, prophecies and hopes for 2023 in original poetry. We want you to appraise, protest, question, pray, dismiss, damn, or express whatever reaction comes to you, as you think about 2023 in the context of Nigeria’s political future. Just Soro Soke!
As you write, remember that poetry is as much about inspiration as it is also an art. Feel free to stretch the boundaries of poetry in terms of diction, composition and form, but use carefully edited lines and nicely original stylistic devices to express the best of your poetic heart for the sake of sharing great poetry.
Be inspired!
Deadline: 11:59 PM Thursday, September 15, 2022.
PRIZES TO BE WON:
- ₦30,000 split cash prize: 1st — ₦15,000; 2nd — ₦10,000; 3rd — ₦5,000
- Automatic entry for the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize (AJPP) 2022: Top 10 poems
- Publication in the Monthly BPPC Chapbook: Top 20 poems
- Publication in the Annual BPPC Anthology: Top 40 poems
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- Only one poem per participant.
- Poems should not exceed 28 lines/verses (plus the title).
- Email entry as mail body text to SUBMISSIONS@WRR.NG. No attachments.
- Submissions should include entrant’s names, phone numbers, social media handles (at least one), and a biography (50-100 words).
- Email Subject should include Author’s Name, Contest Month, and Poem Title: ‘Abubakar Nnamdi Adekunle, BPPC August/September 2022, ‘YOUR POEM’S TITLE’
- All entries must be the original work of the poet submitting it.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- No entry fee is required.
- Poems containing profanity, racism, or vulgarity will be automatically disqualified.
- Entries will be judged on their artistic qualities, and the judges’ decision is final. Words, Rhymes & Rhythm will not enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding the judges’ decision.
- The author retains the copyright for their poems. Words, Rhymes & Rhythm, on the other hand, reserves the right to publish ANY and ALL entries submitted.
- Past winners may enter the competition, but a poet can only win once in a calendar year (season). Therefore, a past winner who makes the top 3 in the same season will only feature in the anthology.
The BRIGITTE POIRSON POETRY CONTEST is a writing contest aimed at rewarding the under-appreciated talent of young Nigerian poets. It was instituted in February 2015 in honour of Brigitte Poirson, a French poet and lecturer, and editor, who has over the years worked assiduously to promote and support African poetry. The BPPC is one of Nigeria’s most popular, especially among the younger poets.
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