Offered by Eakin Publication, Inc., of Austin, Texas, and open only to ACTIVE dues-paid and LIFE members of the Poetry Society of Texas (PST).
Contestants should submit an original and one copy of their manuscript, which must fit into a 24 to 48 page format. The length of the book manuscript can vary depending on the length of the individual poems and age level to which the book is directed. The manuscript may include both published and unpublished poems but may not include poems from other books by the author. A list of acknowledgments for the published poems should be included. The poet should not be identified on the manuscript. Include identification sheet with name, address, phone number, email address, and title of manuscript. It is also important to indicate the age level to which the manuscript is directed.
Since the book will be developed by Eakin Press and all art created/provided by Eakin to the winner, it is necessary to detail the following guidelines in the preparation of manuscripts for submission.
In general a book for young children will be a picture book. It can have one line per page with the average book being 24 to 48 pages long. So a poet might have one poem that is only 24 lines long, or it could be a picture book that has a verse on each page, so one poem could have anywhere from 24 verses to 48 verses. It is suggested that a book for grades 1-3 be 50 lines or fewer with no more than 5 lines to a verse. It is further suggested that the book for this age level be one poem. Books written for grades 4-7 may be a collection of several poems with less illustration than the picture book. Manuscripts for the older age group should be no more than 15 poems or 25 verses with no more than 5 lines in a verse.
Eakin will assume the production costs of developing the manuscript into a market-ready, soft cover collection. This includes editing, cover design, pricing and ISBN registration. Upon publication of the finished book, the author will receive 50 free copies, with additional copies available at an author discount. Authors may choose the number of books to order with delivery times conforming to the Eakin Press production schedule. Eakin will place the book with its distributors, list the book in Eakin Press catalogue and flyers, send the book out for review and offer promotional assistance; all other responsibility for marketing of the books rests with the author. For books sold through Eakin Press, its distributors or trade retailers, authors will receive a standard royalty.
The winner of this award will not be eligible to enter again for six (6) years. The award will be judged by a judge selected by the Society. The judge’s name will not be announced until the announcement of the winner is made. Winner must agree to three public readings from their book; one for PST, and two others to be arranged by the winner. Contact information for Eakin Press will be provided to the announced winner. The winning book manuscript of poetry in this contest will be announced at the PST summer conference in July 2008.
Entries in this competition must be received by May 1, 2008. Each entry requires an entry fee of $10.00. Manuscripts with a check payable to PST should be mailed to:
Eakin Manuscript Competition Chairperson
Budd Powell Mahan
7059 Spring Valley Road
Dallas, TX 75254
