Narrative Poetry Contest 2026, Story Poems Welcome
Quick answer: Enter Writory's monthly narrative poetry contest. Ballads, epics, and story poems win cash prizes, with certificates for all and a five criteria score.
Some poems do not just feel, they happen. If your verse carries characters, turns, and endings, Writory's monthly international poetry contest gives your story poems a real stage. Narrative poetry competes here on equal footing with lyric and free verse. Entries open on the 1st and close on the 25th of each month, results arrive on the 30th, winners receive cash prizes, and every entrant gets a participation certificate.
Nothing is hidden in the judging. Every poet sees a five criteria score breakdown in their profile covering creativity, emotion, structure, language, and theme. Ballads, verse tales, and long narrative sequences are all welcome, alongside poets from 50+ countries.
Writory's monthly poetry contest welcomes narrative poems, ballads, and verse tales, with cash prizes, transparent scoring, and certificates for every poet.
Why enter
- Story driven poems are judged on craft and impact, never dismissed for being narrative
- A brand new contest every month, so a strong story never waits long for its audience
- No theme restrictions, your poem can tell any story you choose
- Narrative forms are welcome by name, including ballads, epics, verse tales, and dramatic monologues
- An international stage, with poets from more than 50 countries competing each month
What winners and entrants receive
- Cash prizes for winning poets every month
- Winners earn free entry into the next month's contest
- A participation certificate for every entrant
- The top 10 poems are showcased on the leaderboard
Ballads, epics, verse tales, dramatic monologues, and free verse narratives are all equally at home in this contest.
Key facts
- Entries open the 1st, close the 25th at 11:59 PM IST, results on the 30th.
- One poem $5, two poems $8, five poems $15 (Rs 150 / Rs 220 / Rs 450 in India).
- Every poem scored by human judges on five criteria: creativity, emotion, structure, language and theme.
- A participation certificate for every entrant, not only winners, and the score is visible in your profile.
- Cash prizes for winners, free entry the following month for winners, open worldwide from age 13, any language.
Questions
Can I enter a poem that tells a story?
Yes, narrative poetry is fully welcome. Writory accepts any style and any theme, so ballads, verse tales, and dramatic monologues compete on equal terms with lyric poems. A well told story in verse is a strength, not a liability.
How is a narrative poem judged fairly?
Every poem receives a five criteria score covering creativity, emotion, structure, language, and theme, visible in your profile. A gripping plot, a strong arc, and vivid characters all feed directly into those criteria.
How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is small and shown in your local currency on the submit page. Winners receive free entry the following month, and three consecutive months of participation earns a free entry too.
When do I find out the results?
Entries open on the 1st and close on the 25th of every month, with results announced on the 30th. Your detailed score breakdown appears in your profile at the same time.
By the Writory editorial team. Updated July 2026.
Enter the September contest · All poetry competitions 2026: deadlines & prizes · International poetry contest · Past winners · Read the winning poems