The prize for the annual SHP Chapbook Competition is a $1000 cash award, publication, twenty books, and will be featured at the annual Sanger-Stewart Endowed Reading at The Hudson Valley Writers' Center. At the discretion of the judges, a second chapbook may be selected for publication with an award of $250. SHP uses a blind judging system and subscribes to the CLMP contest code of ethics.

2014 Guidelines and Rules

• The Slapering Hol Press Chapbook Competition is open to all writers who have not yet published a collection of poems in book or chapbook form.
  
  
• Individual poems may be previously published, but poems must not have been published as a group in any form, including self-published collections.
  
  
• Manuscripts may be either a collection of poems or one long poem and should be a minimum of 16 pages and a maximum of 20 pages (not including the title page or table of contents).
  
  
• All poems should be single spaced. Please use a 12-point font and a standard typeface.
  
  
• All manuscripts must include a title page and table of contents
  
  
• We encourage on-line submissions made through our submissions-manager service (hvwc.submittable.com) On-line submissions must not include the writer's name or other identifying information anywhere in the uploaded file. All online submissions must be paid through Submittable.
  
  
• Manuscripts submitted by mail must include the SHP Manuscript Submission Form (Download Here). Each manuscript must be accompanied by a $20 Reading fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to The Hudson Valley Writers' Center
  
  
• Poets may submit more than one collection for consideration, but a $20 reading fee must accompany each entry.
  
  
• The reading period for the competition begins on February 15. Entries must be submitted online or postmarked by May 15th. Submissions will be considered only if received between those dates.
  
  
• The author of the winning manuscript will be announced in September.
  
  
  Additional Guidelines for Poets Submitting via Standard Post
  
  
• If requested, a copy of a previous published SHP chapbook (chosen by SHP) will be sent to the entrant provided an 8x10 envelope with $2.20 in postage is sent in with the contest manuscript.
  
  
• Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for notification of receipt of manuscript.
  
  
• Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for notification of results. Manuscripts cannot be returned and will be recycled upon completion of the competition.
  
  
  
  Questions and submissions can be e-mailed to ryan@writerscenter.org
  or sent by mail to:
  
  SHP Chapbook Competition
  300 Riverside Drive
  Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591

The Hudson Valley Writers' Center  |  300 Riverside Drive Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591  |  914.332.5953  |  www.writerscenter.org