Rise to the Challenge
One poem, measured against the finest we receive all year. Our annual award is open to poets everywhere — submissions accepted through December 2027.
Every poet who enters receives a 1-Year Subscription to Poetry Quarterly Online ($20 Value)
- A $500 gift certificate to the Prolific Press Bookstore
- Your winning poem featured in the prize-winner issue
- The prize-winning poet featured on the back cover
- A feature on the Poetry Quarterly website
- Free entry into the following year’s contest
- One free copy of the prize-winner issue in print
A free one-year subscription to Poetry Quarterly Online ($20 Value)
New and inactive subscribers only; current members are already covered. It’s our way of thanking you for taking part.
How it works
Submit your poem through our submissions manager, just as you would for any issue. Judging is performed by our editor, unless a guest judge is named for the year. Current and past winners are celebrated on the Poetry Quarterly website — you can read every past winning poem there.
$20 per poem —
$10 for patrons
Patrons pay half price and may enter up to six poems per issue instead of three.
Become a patron.
The award is named for Rebecca Lard (1772–1855), recognized as the first poet in Indiana.