{"id":43804,"date":"2026-03-10T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=43804"},"modified":"2026-03-07T10:10:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T15:10:12","slug":"deadlines-approach-for-long-running-paul-laurence-dunbar-poetry-and-creative-writing-contests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/campus-life\/2026\/03\/10\/deadlines-approach-for-long-running-paul-laurence-dunbar-poetry-and-creative-writing-contests\/","title":{"rendered":"Deadlines approach for long-running Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry and Creative Writing Contests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sinclair College is inviting writers from both campus and around the community to participate in two upcoming writing contests: the Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest and Sinclair\u2019s annual Creative Writing Contest. Both contests offer an opportunity for writers to share their work, gain recognition and celebrate creative expression.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The flyer for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest, coordinated this year by Sinclair English faculty member Sooyoung Chung, asks participants to explore the 2026 theme, \u201cThe Mask and What Lies Beneath.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe theme is inspired by the poet Dunbar\u2019s famous poem<\/a> where he wrote, \u2018We wear the mask that grins and lies,\u2019\u201d Chung said, noting that the idea of masks and hidden identity appears frequently in Dunbar\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poetry contest has a long history at Sinclair. According to Chung, the competition has been running for more than two decades and is now in its 26th year. This will be Chung\u2019s first year doing the contest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related:<\/strong> Sinclair’s Successful National Day on Writing Event<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants can submit up to three poems, each with a maximum of 100 lines. Submissions are open to students in grades 6\u20138 and 9\u201312, and adults ages 18 and older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline for submissions is March 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chung said entries do not have to reference Dunbar\u2019s poem directly, but reading his work can be helpful inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe entries don\u2019t have to refer to Dunbar\u2019s poem specifically,\u201d Chung said. \u201cBut definitely reading that particular poem and some of Dunbar\u2019s other poems can be beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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English faculty member, Sooyoung Chung.<\/strong> CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sinclair English professor, Jamey Dunham. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another opportunity for writers is Sinclair\u2019s annual Creative Writing Contest, coordinated by English professor Jamey Dunham. The contest includes three categories: fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, and is open to both high school students and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contest has a long tradition at the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s been going on for at least since the early \u201980s,\u201d Dunham said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dunham said the contest typically draws a strong group of writers from both Sinclair and the surrounding community. Last year alone, the contest received over 100 submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have a lot of talented writers at Sinclair and in the community,\u201d Dunham said. \u201cI\u2019m always impressed by the writing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Flyer for Sinclair’s Creative Writing Contest.<\/strong> CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Entries for the Creative Writing Contest are evaluated by rotating English Department faculty members, with separate judges for each genre. Winners receive a cash award, publication in a booklet and recognition at the Sinclair Spectrum Awards Ceremony in April<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deadline to submit is March 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For writers hoping to stand out, Dunham said strong voice and originality often make a piece memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always love a strong sense of voice that conveys a unique perspective,\u201d Dunham said. \u201cSomething that shows me a view of the world in a way I hadn\u2019t thought of before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also encourages writers to carefully review submission requirements before entering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRead the guidelines carefully,\u201d Dunham said. \u201cSometimes people submit the wrong number of pieces or forget important information.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly, he encourages writers to trust themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou really just need to go with your gut and have confidence in yourself,\u201d Dunham said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related:<\/strong> Wordsmiths Unite for Sinclair’s Annual Writers’ Workshop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With deadlines approaching in March, both contests offer writers a chance to share their work and have their voices recognized. Whether participants are experienced writers or submitting for the first time, organizers say the contests are meant to encourage creativity and confidence. Writers interested in participating can review submission guidelines and send their work before the deadlines to be considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacie Moore, reporter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

See more posts from The Clarion:<\/p>\n\n\n