Events › Express Yourself! Poetry / Written Word Challenge

Oakley Library Presents Express Yourself! Poetry / Written Word Challenge

Submissions for Poetry, Written Word or Lyrics is open to all Oakley tweens and teens ages 10 to 18. 

This challenge is open from April 2, 2024 through April 30, 2024 6 p.m. 

Finalists will be notified in early May.

Please pick up a submission form at the branch beginning April 2, 2024 or download here:

Oakley Library Poetry Challenge Submission Form

Rules / Guidance:

Eligibility: Oakley Library Express Yourself! (Poetry / Written Word / Lyrics) Contest is open to all Oakley tweens and teens ages 10 to 18. Each entrant may submit one original written work of no more than 40 lines on any subject and in any style (except Haiku or black out poems).

Your work may not contain profanity, vulgarity or otherwise be deemed offensive by any person, group of persons, or community. Your work must be original and be the individual work of the entrant (or group if submitted as a collaborative project by more than one author).

If you like to work from prompts, here are some suggested writing prompts: Your passions/interests, Your journey, Your hero(ine), Your struggles, Your future.

Contest dates: Submissions accepted beginning April 2, 2024, and ending on April 30, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Finalist selection: Submissions will be judged on originality, creativity, and artistic quality. Poems not meeting the requirements for line limitation will be automatically disqualified. Poems containing profanity, vulgarity or offensive material will be automatically disqualified.

Legal: Finalists will need to have parent sign our Contra Costa County release form to publish, re-use, or promote your work not withstanding at our location(s), website and/or social media accounts.