PSOV Fall Poetry Contest

Posted by PSOV

First Call

Dear Poetry Society of Vermont Member,

The Fall Poetry Contest for 2026 will open on September 1st and entries will close on September 30th. PSOV members may submit one poem for this contest. Please take the time to look at the PSOV Submission Guidelines (concerning length, font, etc…)

In the past, I’ve noticed that many contributors enter their poems but neglect to vote on their top ten choices. Savoring other poets’ works is an integral part of membership choice. By taking the time to do so, deepens one’s understanding of how diverse and unique other voices bring to PSOV. To participate fully in the Memberships’ Choice Vote also represents the respect for others who represent the society. In addition, it gives you a full appreciation of what the Editorial staff faces while culling poems during open submission outside of the Spring and Fall Membership contests.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write to me at ex***********@********************nt.org .

May your entry secure a slot in the next edition of The Mountain Troubadour.

Sincerely,

David Hartnett

PSOV Executive Secretary

Fall Poetry Contest Submission

Open: September 1st – September 30th
Follow the Guidelines linked below:
- PSOV Submission Guidelines
  - PSOV Members Only
Upload Poem in the form below:
- 2026 Fall Poem Contest Submission Form
- You must follow the submission guidelines for your poem to be considered.

Special Note: The Fall Workshop and Fall Poetry Contest are now separate events. Be sure to follow the instructions listed above and if you have any questions or need help with your submission contact David at ex***********@********************nt.org.

Building with Words: Poet as Language Architect

Posted by PSOV

PSOV Online Workshop with Buffy Aakaash

September 27 @ 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Poets build poems with words. How well a poem holds up depends on the strength of the words and how well they join to construct the poem. In this class, we will read out loud a series of poems that emphasize the importance of Diction and Syntax, which are ways poets build with the material of words. Then, you will have the opportunity to read one of your own poems, which you might be struggling with in terms of word choice and order, and receive feedback from the group. Finally, we will do a short generative exercise together that puts into action what you will have learned about diction and syntax.

Register here. https://forms.gle/PzbfE5VptU3FWzgCA

Free for Poetry Society of Vermont members. [Become a member here. ]

Gather With Us At PSOV Summer Festival!

Posted by PSOV

Dearest PSOV poets, community, and friends—

I am getting so excited about PSOV’s Summer Festival 2026: Gathering Voices on August 8 at Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro VT, 10-4. It’s FREE and open to the public – bring your friends and family!

If you’d like to an amazing lunch at the Highland Center while you’re there, pre-order that HERE to help our friends and Highland Center plan accordingly.

And if you’d like to read at one of our two all-Vermont open mic sessions, register HERE so that we’ll have you on the list!

It takes a lot of people and work to put together an event this incredibly epic! It will be even better if you can help be an ambassador of poetry-and-fun for a small portion of the day – folks are needed at the welcome table, at the book sale table, helping at the community poetry prompts table, and engaging with our presenters and readers to make sure all runs smoothly. Many hands make light work. If you can help out in any way on August 8, please let us know HERE.

Of course, your tax-deductible monetary donations so we can keep bringing you these fantastic events are always welcomed with the deepest gratitude for keeping our vibrant Vermont poetry community thriving. You can donate online HERE.

All the best to all of you – stay cool, and I’ll see you August 8th!

Cindy Ellen Hill

PSOV President

Upcoming PSOV Readings &Workshops

Posted by PSOV

Register today for the Poetry Society of Vermont’s upcoming series of readings & online workshops. Beginning on May 28 with a Members’ Open Reading, honoring the poets selected through the Spring Poetry Contests’ members’ choice voting. This virtual event will feature readings from contest winners and include an open mic for members who register in advance. Join us to listen, read, and celebrate the work of our PSOV poets.

Continue Reading Upcoming PSOV Readings &Workshops

Knock, Knock: Who’s There?

Posted by PSOV

by daithí

On May 16, when lilacs were bursting out into purple song and birds were tuning up and tuning up for Spring, Tim Mayo led the 2026 PSOV Spring Workshop entitled: An Exploration of Voice in Poetry. Twenty five poets from around the state showed up on the first full-throated day of May and took part in the workshop.

Continue Reading Knock, Knock: Who’s There?

2026 Spring Poetry Contest Winners

Posted by PSOV

We are excited to announce the results of the 2026 Spring Poetry Contest Members’ Choice Voting! Congratulations to PSOV members who placed in the top ten and will be published in the 2027 Mountain Troubadour. Thank you to all the members who took the time to read the 50 submitted contest poems and vote for your top ten.

Poet	Poems	Rank Choice Place
Katrina Kunker	Boardwalk	1
George Longenecker	Birds Over Palestine	2
Robert Turcot	To Anne	3
Trish Dougherty	Yahrzeit	4
Martha Anderson Sanborn	The Staircase	5
Maggie Eaton	Sterling Mud Pie	6
David Hartnett (aka daithí)	Dear Franz	7
Mary Cheyne	Transition	8
Ann Cooper	I love the railroad	9
Katherine Leiner	AFTER MARY OLIVER	10

Members’ Choice Voting: Spring/Fall Poetry Contest winners are selected through members’ choice voting. A Google Form and a link to a document containing all submitted poems (names removed) is sent to members, where they have the opportunity to read all submitted poems then vote for their top ten. The top ten ranked choice poems will are included in next year’s publication of The Mountain Troubadour. The members’ choice vote uses the Borda Count Method to calculate the choice ranking.

Dear Spring: a generative workshop

Posted by PSOV

PSOV member and PSOV Editorial Board member, Caitlin Gildrien has shared the following announcement:

Saturday, April 25, 2-3:30
Brandon Public Library, 4 Franklin St, Brandon VT

Dear Spring: a generative workshop focusing on the epistolary form. Epistolary poems are written in the form of a letter to someone or something (like an object, place, or idea). It’s a very accessible and flexible form and one of my favorites to work with. Space is limited, to register email: in**@******************ry.org or 802-247-8230.
Caitlin Gildrien
Cattail Creative • writing & design
www.cattailcreative.com
ca*************@***il.com

Last Call: Spring Poetry Contest

Posted by PSOV

The 2026 Spring Poetry Contest closes at midnight on Friday, April 17th! Don’t miss this unique poetry contest where Poetry Society of Vermont members choose the top ten poems to be published in the 2027 The Mountain Troubadour.

PSOV Spring Poetry Contest

Open: March 16 – April 17
Follow the Guidelines linked below:
- PSOV Submission Guidelines
Upload Poem in the form below:
- Spring Poetry Contest Submission Form
- You must follow the submission guidelines for your poem to be considered.

Members’ Choice Voting: Spring & Fall Poetry Contest winners are selected through members’ choice voting. After contest closing, an online form is sent to all members where they have the opportunity to vote for their top ten poems. The top ten ranked choice poems will be included in next year’s publication of The Mountain Troubadour. The members’ choice vote uses the Borda Count Method to calculate the choice ranking.

Special Note:The Spring Workshop and Spring Poetry Contest are now separate events. Be sure to follow the instructions listed above and if you have any questions or need help with your submission contact David at ex***********@********************nt.org.