This competition is open to African American poets only. If you have already had a book published by Lotus Press, you are ineligible. However, inclusion in a Lotus Press anthology does not disqualify you. Any other serious African American poet, whether previously published or not, may submit a book length manuscript for consideration. Poems submitted by another person, anthologies, or collaborations by more than one poet are not eligible. The poems in the manuscript should total approximately 60-90 pages, exclusive of a table of contents or other optional introductory material. Begin each poem on a new page, no matter how short it may be, and number the pages. Poems that have been published individually in periodicals or anthologies are acceptable, but we will not consider an entire collection that has been previously published, whether self-published or not.

The award winner will receive $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Lotus Press, Inc. early in 2011.