The 2008 Omnidawn Poetry Prize is Omnidawn Publishing’s first annual contest for a first or second full-length collection of poems by a poet writing in English. The contest will be judged by Marjorie Welish, with a cash prize of $2,000 and Fall 2009 publication by Omnidawn Publishing. Manuscripts will remain anonymous until a winner is selected.
 
 
General Guidelines:
#- The entering manuscript must be a first or second full length book. Chapbook publication has no bearing on this.
#- The poet must be writing in English.
#- Entry fee of $25 must accompany each submission; make check payable to Omnidawn Publishing. We cannot accept any other form of payment at this time. The entry fee entitles you to one Omnidawn title from our catalogue. Please see website page “Omnidawn Titles” for full catalogue, and include an index card with your name and chosen title. Also include an addressed and stamped envelope to cover shipping. If you do not include these we will assume you are forfeiting this option. See checklist below to determine correct postage for your requested book.
#- Multiple submissions are acceptable but each manuscript must be entered under separate cover, each with separate check for entry fee.
#- Simultaneous submissions are fine but please let us know if your manuscript is accepted by another publisher while under our consideration.
#- No revisions to submitted manuscripts will be considered.
#- Translations are ineligible.
 
 
Manuscript Submission Requirements:
#- Manuscript should be between 60 to 90 pages, paginated, enclosed in a standard manila folder. Nothing should be written on the manila folder. Each manuscript should include one cover page with title of manuscript only and a second cover page with title plus your name, address, telephone number and email address.
#- Please include a table of contents but no acknowledgements page. Because the reading process is anonymous, please do not submit a cover letter or bio.
#- Please do not contact us with queries regarding the status of your submission. Your cancelled check will indicate that we have received your entry.
#- We will announce the contest results on our web page. If you would like notification of winner, enclose an SASE. But this is not a requirement. (International SASE must include adequate US postage or mailing coupons <http://www.usps.com>)
#- DO NOT enclose a SASE for return of manuscript; all manuscripts will be recycled at the end of our contest. Please notify us if you move; send new address to: <submissions@omnidawn.com>.
 
 
Deadline:
#- Envelope must be postmarked on or between March 1st of 2008 and June 30th of 2008. No Fed Ex, UPS or signature-required USPS express mail envelopes will be accepted.
#- Mail manuscript and entry fee to:
OMNIDAWN POETRY PRIZE
Omnidawn Publishing
311 Monterey St
Vallejo, CA 94590
 
How We Judge:
The entries are logged into a database by an assistant not associated with the reading process who registers the personal address information of the entrant, the title of the manuscript, assigns it a number and removes all identifying materials. The manuscripts are then anonymously submitted to the editors of Omnidawn for screening. Omnidawn does not use interns or students to screen for this contest. For the sake of avoiding any conflict of interest, if one of the readers recognizes the work of a colleague, student, or friend, then that manuscript is given to another editor.
The final judge receives 50 manuscripts (an expected 30% of the submissions) from which to select the winner. If the final judge wishes to see additional manuscripts she may request them; the judge is not, however, permitted to request specific manuscripts. Friends, colleagues, and students of the judge are not eligible to compete. The judge is not allowed to choose manuscripts that present a conflict of interest.
 
Omnidawn abides by the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics
The CLMP Code of Ethics: CLMP's community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines -- defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

Book Production, Distribution, Advertising, and Complimentary Copies
The prize winning book will be produced, distributed, and advertised to Omnidawn standards and will also meet the Green Press Initiative standards and have the Green Press Initiative statement on the copyright page. The book will be printed using the same archival quality acid-free paper and full four-color cover used for other Omnidawn books. As with other Omnidawn books, we will encourage the winning poet to participate in the design of the book, including choice of typefaces, cover colors and artwork, with all stages subject to the approval of the winning poet. The book will be distributed worldwide by Omnidawn's distributor, Independent Publishers Group, and will be advertised along with other Omnidawn books in Poets & Writers Magazine, American Poetry Review, American Book Review, Rain Taxi, and other publications. All costs, including production, distribution, and advertising will be fully paid for by Omnidawn. In addition to the $2,000 cash prize, the winning poet will also receive 100 copies of the book free of charge.  
 
Checklist for submission:
 
#- In a manila folder:
-manuscript and
-one cover page with title of manuscript only and
-a second cover page with title plus your name, address, telephone number and email address.
  
#- Processing fee of $25 payable to Omnidawn Publishing (separate check for each submission).

#- (optional) SASE for notification (results will be posted on our web site).

#- (optional) For your FREE BOOK:
a)  an index card with your name & choice of one Omnidawn title printed on it
b)  a self-addressed envelope
-with title of requested book printed in lower left-hand corner of envelope
-with correct postage for sending this book to you (see below).
 
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POSTAGE for your free book (Based on new May 12, 2008 rates):
 
#- For ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN TITLES (which are heavier than our other books):
include a US Post Office 9.5"x 12.5" Flat Rate Priority Mail Envelope with $ 4.80 postage. (We will enclose the book in a 9"x 12" heavy cardboard mailer for protection and place this inside your flat rate envelope and mail it back to you. The envelope must be a "flat rate" envelope, because the shipping weight will be 2-3 pounds and the postage for a non-flat rate envelope would be up to $11.50)

SKUNK: A LOVE STORY (fiction)
IN A TOWN CALLED MUNDOMUERTO (fiction)
PARASPHERES (fiction)
A SEMBLANCE (poetry)
ON SPEC (poetry)
INVISIBLE GREEN (poetics)
LYRIC & SPIRIT (poetics)
 
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#- For ANY OTHER Omnidawn title:
include an 8.5 by 11 size mailer or envelope with $2.53 postage (six .41 cent stamps + 7 cents more in stamps). We will enclose the book in a bubble wrap mailer for protection and place this inside your envelope and mail it back to you.)
 
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