Pennsic Known World Poetry Competition FAQ

Q1: What is this year's theme?

A1: The theme this year is "dream visions," specifically the kinds found in medieval and Renaissance literature.

Q2: How long can it be?

A2: Poems are limited to ten (10) pages or 5000 words. Fragments of larger works may be entered, but it must be cohesive and self-sufficient. Documentation required but shall not exceed five (5) pages (but additional pages for bibliographies and attachments of portions of period poems is permissible). Submit 3 copies of the poem and 3 copies of the documentation/attachments (without your name on them) with the registration form by 10 a.m. on Wed 8/5 at A&S point. Entries which do not have the correct number of copies of poems and documentation or fail to maintain anonymity shall be disqualified.

Q3: Where can I get this registration form?

A3: The registration form is here (PDF). It will also be at A&S Point on-site at Pennsic.

Q4: How do I do documentation?

A4: Lady Tehair MacDiarmada has some excellent advice for you here.

Q5: What are the judging criteria?

A5: The judging criteria are here. Note that since we are not requiring performance this year, you can ignore those sections of the judging form.

Q6: When and where at Pennsic will the competition be held?

A6: Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10am, A&S 10. Please try and be there; we'll miss you! (But you do not need to be present to compete.)

Q6: I will not be attending Pennsic - how can I submit my entry?

A6: You have two options for submitting our entry if you will not be attending Pennsic: (i) submit to Poeta Deputy Lady Ambra Michelli (Samantha Moore) by email by July 20 or (ii) By sending it with a friend attending Pennsic (just make sure your friend picks up your entry/comments, entry prize and winning prize if any at the Poety Competition Friday Aug 7 from 10am-12pm at A&S 10.

Q7: I want to submit my entry electronically -- how should I do this?

A7: When submitting electronically, please send your entry as Word attachments (this way your anonymity and formatting are maintained). Make a separate attachment for the poem and a separate attachment for the documentation. Please paste the body of the filled out registration form in the body of an email to Ambra by July 20, 2009 and Ambra will acknowledge receipt by providing you with a entry number by email for your records.

Q8: A question about the rules for the Pennsic Poetry Challenge: need the entry, its documentation, and/or any period forms referenced be in English?

A8: The poem does not need to be in English but you should provide an English translation. If any of your documentation is not in English, you will need to provide an English translation. The period forms need not be from England - as long as they are pre-17th Century. For example: Where you choose to use a period poem in medieval languedoc as part of your documentation. In your entry's documentation it would be nice to provide a translation of the poem, but most importantly you need to explain in English why you used this poem as an illustration. So, if you were using it to illustrate a period rhyme scheme, as long as it can be illustrated in the original language, you will not need to translate (just be sure to explain the rhyme scheme in English -- and you may need to resort to an explanation of the pronunciation of the language as well). If you decide to write your own poem in medieval french for example, you can do so, but you should provide a pronunciation key with it so the judge's can hear how your poem sounds in Medieval French when they speak it aloud. Also, it would be courteous (and wise) to provide a translation into modern English so the judge's can see for themselves whether you have used period metaphors and word choice and how you have explored period poetic and literary themes. The publisher of Penguin Pocket Editions does a beautiful job of this side by side translation and explanation if you would like to see an example of how it should be done. I can also provide you with an example from an SCA context if you need one as well. Please remember that the judges are all native English speakers. While all have extensive background in poetry from a number of nations and time periods, you would serve yourself well to translate and explain clearly in your documentation any period language and language forms you are using. They will not be able to judge your piece properly if they cannot read it.

Q9: Should I bother to look at the judging form and questions to help you judge -- or is that only for the judges of the competition?

A9: The all purpose judging form is very similar to the judging form for Pennsic competition. It would be a good idea to try to meet each of those categories in your documentation. I also think you should check out the section which says questions to help you judge (since this is my guidance to the judges on how to use the judging form). The flyer for the competition itself warns you what the judges will be looking for: "Written entries will be judged on: (i) use of period imagery, (ii) use of period style and conventions, (iii) complexity of the piece, (iv) documentation, (v) entertainment value, (vi) ability to stay within the guidelines set for the competition, (vii) poem's appropriateness to the theme (so be sure to explain the dilemma and voice you have chosen in your documentation), and (ix) overall impression. The poem itself and its documentation will be weighed equally, but in the event of a tie, the entry with the highest score in its documentation will prevail."

Q10: There seemed to be no mention of an age requirement, is this so?

A8: There is no age requirement to enter only an interest in poetry.

Q10: How can I tell if my poem fits the theme?

Q11: Does the entry and its documentation need to be handwritten, or can it be in printed form?

A11: Please print your entry if possible. You take the chance that the judges will not be able to read your handwriting otherwise.