Strange name for a poetry contest, right? Maybe, but you know what we mean. You stay up late at night, writing, writing, writing because the words won't leave you alone. Great poems are born at such times. One part angst, another part inspiration. Words that burn right through the paper and into your soul. Words that touch a nerve, twist your emotions. That's what we're looking for:

For a free critique, simply write "free critique" on your entry.

Any style or form allowed. Any subject (no porn or gore). 
One poem per single-spaced page.
Include name, address, e-mail, and title of poem at the top of the submission.
Entry fee: $5 per poem, limit three entries (1 poem = 1 entry).
Checks payable to: The Write Helper.
Unpublished at the time of submission, original work of the contestant.
Deadline: October 30, 2010, postmarked.
Prizes: 1st place - $100, 2nd place - $50, 3rd place - $25.
For free critique, write "free critique" on entry and include an e-mail address (or business sized, self-addressed envelope).

Mail entries in 9 x 12 envelope to: 

Burning the Midnight Oil Poetry Contest
c/o Amy Harke-Moore
104 Harke Lane
Old Monroe, MO 63369.

For more details, go to: http://thewritehelper.com/id63.html