ABOUT

The Earth Amulet Poetry Prize™ is an environmental poetry contest that invite poems rooted in the natural world—its landscapes, elements, and living beings. Submissions may explore themes centered on forests, rivers, oceans, mountains, deserts, or other ecosystems; reflect on weather, seasons, and natural forces such as fire, wind, and rain; or engage with flora and fauna, including trees, flowers, birds, animals, insects, etc.

We’re looking for work that offers thoughtful engagement with nature—through observation, reflection, and a genuine connection with our environment, that can also become a catalyst in countering environmental threats and the destruction caused by wars, human greed, lack of awareness, and proper resources to protect our planet.

Submission Deadline : September 30, 2025

Results of the Earth Amulet Poetry Prize will be announced within three months of the submission deadline, through a press release and on social media platforms. Selected folios will be published in a print anthology.

The  Earth Amulet Poetry Prize offers the following 

• Winner – $25 cash prize, publication of a folio of poems, Certificate of Excellence, announcement in a press release and on social media, and an electronic copy of the anthology.
• Finalist – $20 cash prize, publication of a folio of poems, Certificate of Distinction, announcement in a press release and on social media, and an electronic copy of the anthology.
• Semi-Finalist – $15 cash prize, publication of a folio of poems, Certificate of Merit, announcement in a press release and on social media, and an electronic copy of the anthology.
• Honorable Mentions – A number of outstanding individual poems will be selected from the pool of submissions for publication. Each poet will receive an electronic copy of the anthology and their name announced on social media. (No cash prize is offered for Honorable Mentions.)

Submit your work through Duotrope or send it directly to River Paw Press via email

Submission Guidelines

• Length: Submit 3–5 unpublished poems, not exceeding a total of 6 pages, along with an author bio in 100 words or less.
• Eligibility: This is an international contest open to poets age 18 and older. Poems must be originally written in English. Translations from other languages are not eligible for submission.
• Format: Submissions must be error-free, typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced. Please submit your poetry folio in both DOC and PDF formats.
• Submission Fee: $10.00 payable via PayPal to riverpawpress(at)gmail(dot)com. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, we welcome your submission with a pay-what-you-can contribution. We recommend a minimum tip of $5.00, sent to riverpawpress(at)gmail(dot)com via PayPal to help us cover administrative and operational costs and sustain our mission to support independent literary publishing. Please note that all submission fees and tips are non-refundable.
• Disqualification: Submissions that do not follow the guidelines or contain plagiarized content may be disqualified for consideration.
• Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us immediately if your poems are accepted elsewhere.
• Judging Process: All entries will be read and scored based on the following evaluation criteria:
  Originality, Craft, Cohesion, Emotional Resonance, Insight, Imagery & Language, Structure & Flow, Style & Tone, and Lasting Impression.
• Submission Method: Email your submission to: riverpawawards(at)gmail(dot)com. In the subject line, please write: EAPP 2025 and Author’s Name
• Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025