The Lake Country Journal Poetry Contest is co-sponsored by the Verse Like Water visiting poetry program of Central Lakes College and is open to everyone. You don’t need to live in Lake Country or be a subscriber.  

The theme for the contest is The Sweet Life. 

Poems must be original to the author, no longer than 40 lines (including blank lines between verses but not counting the title or the blank line between the title and the first verse). Previously published poems are not allowed. This includes poems that have been posted to any social media site. 

Each person may submit only one poem, and only poems submitted via this form are eligible. Include your name only in the fields specified. Do not identify yourself on the document alongside your poem. 

Poems constructed with the help of AI will be disqualified. 

Deadline is May 31, 2025 by 11:59 pm CST. Winners will be published in the October/November 2025 issue of Lake Country Journal.  

To be complete, your entry form must include a headshot of yourself and a bio of up to 30 words. These will be published alongside your poem if it is among those selected by the judges. 

Winners will be notified and invited to read their poems at a celebration event to be held at Central Lakes College (specific date and time TBD). 

Cash prizes will be awarded (1st: $200, 2nd: $150, 3rd: $100, Honorable Mention: $25 x 2).

By submitting a poem to this contest, you are giving Lake Country Journal first-time North American rights to print your poem.