I guess I can argue either way! It makes sense that you need to pay the judges etc and it makes people only enter if they are serious about poetry and I suppose if you do actuallly win the prizes are big.
However I am tired of the stipulations in the terms conditions like in the poetry society competition such as the poem can be broadcast on the internet written or verbal I find that I need the feedback from fellow poets on WOL and enjoy putting up poetry blogs.

now its up to you fellow WOL members to discuss!!!

I am sceptical of anyone asking money for anything. My sister and I entered a poetry competition advertised in our local paper. Most of mine couldn't be entered cos it exceeded the number of words allowed. I sent in a very short poem just because I was sending my sisters. Neither of us won but they wrote back asking our permission to publish the poems in a book of poetry. I gave them my permission but ordered no books. My sister gave and ordered. Needless to say, hers appeared in the book and mine did not. Though my sister's poem was of a reasonable standard, some of them were absolute tosh. Rhymes forced to such an extent that I had to question whether in fact they were meant to be comical. The poems were restricted in words, probably so they could make the books more cost effective. I now question what being 'published' actually means...

I also don't know what means to be published. I want to published by bloodaxe publishers but you have to be published in poetry magazines etc and have a portfolio to even be considered I guess i will just carry on being published on the net and in chap books etc and hope I will get noticed.

anyway thankyou for your comment Isobel

On the few occasions I enter competitions I have no problems with reasonable entrance fees. Usually, I stop short of £5, and only when there is a great prize on offer. I should mention that this includes both written and performance competitions.

The flip side to this is that I know what it costs to run and publicise competitions, and because of that I understand sometimes an entrance fee is required. However, My two most recent competitions (Pick Your Prize and Mystery Prize) I have managed to pick up great prizes for low prices. A great example of this is a handy pocket rhyming dictionary that was just £0.49 brand new at the Works, but should have retailed for £5.

The point is I kind of see both sides and understand why people choose to charge, but don't like paying a lot. My opinion is that someone who is resourceful will find ways of getting prizes through sponsorship, donations or at discounted prices, thereby reducing the cost and often the need for an entrance fee.

Daniel, I was thinking about this very question only this morning, before reading your post. In my head I was tossing around selections for an open-mic night, and then reminding myself that, once 'published', a poem no longer qualifies for some competitions. Those of us who aspire to certain contests must be aware of this stipulation.

A reasonable entry fee for a competition is acceptable. No one can run any programme without expenses (not even WOL). I'm sure competitions are profitable for somebody considering the numbers of hopeful writers dreaming of recognition.

Interesting discussion. We "Weaving Words" are running a competition with Rochdale Libraries. Entry is FREE and winners get book tokens. We've wondered about charging but it is complicated with the library so it is still free. The competition is for any type of creative writing with prizes for poetry and prose.

Entries can be made by email - but HURRY the competition closes at midnight on 25th Sept 2009.

To enter go to our Facebook Group "Weaving Words" for entry details and conditions or follow this link;

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156161905831