Contests

• Teen Poetry Contest
• Cover Photo Contest for Teens

Teen Poetry Contest Rules

To find the most deserving poetry written by teens aged twelve to eighteen, VOYA asks librarians, teachers, or other professionals working with youth to act as sponsors in collecting and judging teen submissions. Sponsors should select no more than three of the worthiest poems by teens in their local area. (With several classes from one school, please send only one poem from each class.) Selected entries must reach VOYA by December 31, 2009.

Please Note: Entries submitted directly from teens will not be considered or returned.

VOYA Judges will select the cream from your crop. When notified, sponsors must return our forms with parents' permission to print the work of each winning poet. Each winner will receive a $20 cash prize and a copy of the April 2010 issue.

Contest submissions may be poems of up to thirty lines on any topic. They must be typed, double-spaced, accompanied by the poet's name, age, town, and state. On the same page with each poem entered, contact information: name, title, organization/school/library, street address, city, state, zip code, phone, and e-mail if applicable. Please attach document to an email with the poets last name and "VOYA Teen Poetry Contest" in the subject line and send to voya@voya.com.

Note: the procedure is new. We will no longer accept entries by mail.

Contest Deadline: December 31, 2009.

Click here for Latest Teen Poetry Contest Winners.

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Teen photographers' own creations appear on the front cover of Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) magazine. VOYA wants photographs that express the relationship between teens and the world of reading. Images should portray teens with any type of reading material: books, magazines, comics, computers, their own creative writing, media of any kind—even participating in library programs or other events. Pictures might be taken in teens' bedrooms, libraries, classrooms, or outdoors—anywhere on the Planet Read.

Photographs taken by teens must be submitted through a librarian, teacher, or other adult sponsor, and are accepted throughout the year. The contest is ongoing.

Submission Guidelines

1. Standard 4x6-inch or larger color prints are preferred. High-resolution digital photos of at least 300 dpi are accepted if sent as tif or jpg files. Low-resolution digitals cannot be considered.
2. All photos must be marked clearly with the name of the photographer and a suggested photo title or caption. For prints, use a sticky note on the back of the photo. For digitals, place the information in an e-mail to editors@voya.com.
3. A cover sheet or e-mail must accompany all submissions, containing the teen photographer's name, age, e-mail, street address, city, state, zip code, and phone number; along with the adult sponsor's name, title, library/school/organization, street address, city, state, zip code, phone, and e-mail.
4. Tips for Winning Photos: Avoid amateur snapshots. Photos must be well composed, well focused, and capable of sharp reproduction when enlarged. Seasonal themes, humor, and unusual poses catch the editor's attention. Award-winning photos from a local library or school photography contest are welcomed.
5. Mail photo prints to:
   VOYA Cover Photo Contest
   4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200
   Lanham, MD 20706
   
   E-mail digital photos to editors@voya.com.

Teen photographers whose pictures are published will receive a $50 prize and three copies of the magazine.

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