ABOUT US
The Poetry Institute of Canada is a small publisher that holds annual poetry/writing contests to encourage the art of poetry and writing for all ages. We do not accept all entries received and each entry is evaluated by our editorial staff; approximately 40% of entries are turned away. We have high integrity and value our services/products as well as our writers/poets. Our contests are and have always been free to enter. The only obligation is for the writer/poet to return their signed author's release, which gives us permission to publish their work.
An anthology is published after each contest. This occurs after final judging of poems or stories has taken place and all prizes have been awarded by the editorial committee. We cannot supply a free copy of an anthology to each and every poet/writer published (we wish we could), but our top 1st/2nd prize winners do receive one; libraries may choose to receive a complimentary copy when we advertise our contests; as well, schools may request a copy of an anthology that their students are published in or if they are entering for the first time, a copy free of charge. This ensures that poets/writers who are not able to afford their own copy can still see their work in print. We offer over $7500.00 worth of free anthologies, and award over $8,000.00 in prizes annually. In 2012, we donated over 300 previous anthologies to Literacy Victoria.
This is our nineteenth year of successfully holding these contests. We are delighted with the positive response from poets, authors, teachers and parents, and have hundreds encouraging letters on file praising our efforts.
Our aim amongst young Canadians is to encourage the writing of English poetry, by publishing examples of the best work received each year. We provide the opportunity for many students to see their work in print, and also to compare it with the work of students of a similar age. It is also important that their writing skill be given an audience where it can be shared and enjoyed by others.
Poets/authors receive the news of our contests mainly through news releases. These are published as a news article by editors of local newspapers. Or, in the case of schools, used for an English project in the classroom, or posted on the school notice board.
We will continue to provide this wonderful opportunity for all writers and will stand by our accreditation as an honourable company. We have been an A+ accredited member of the BBB of Vancouver Island since 1994.
If you are a young writer and have published works, please let us know. We would love to showcase your work. See our inspiration corner.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns; we'd love to hear from you!
250-519-0446 - poetryinstitute@shaw.ca
As of October 2012, we have published 136 anthologies in our Young Writers Program.
Special thanks to Scholastic Canada Magazine Division for their support!
