AN INVITATION I WISH I COULD AFFORD

Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow poets . . . the winner of the largest cash prize ever awarded to an amateur poet . . . Our Poet of the Year for 2006 . . . the Grand Prize winner of $20,000 cash and a $10,000.00 book publishing contract is . . .

Gayle Watkins!

We're familiar with your work, Gayle, and you know . . .
it could happen just that way!

Dear Gayle,

I would like to inform you of your nomination as Poet of the Year for 2006, and to personally invite you to read your poetry at the single largest gathering of poets in history, where you will be formally inducted as an International Poet of Merit and Honored Member of our Society for 2006-2007.

Your induction will take place July 20-23, 2006, in the entertainment capital, Las Vegas, Nevada, during the 20th Anniversary International Society of Poets Convention and Symposium.

You will also be honored with two separate and very special awards for your poetic achievement at special ceremonies throughout the weekend.

First, to honor and commemorate your poetic accomplishments, after you read your poetry in front of fellow poets from around the world, you will be presented with your very own International Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Crystal Award Trophy. The Award is a magnificent work of art in itself ($300.00 value), made from imported lead crystal (see it here). It is hand-engraved and mounted on a three-tier solid marble base. This will be the first time ever that we have bestowed these crystal awards. They have been created by artisans that we have commissioned specially for this year in honor of our 20th Anniversary. This impressive 13-inch tall crystal award is so valuable that wehave designed a special carrying case just for you to take it home.

And Gayle . . . there's much more . . .

In recognition of your poetry presentation we will also present to you a beautifully crafted, antique bronze Commemorative Award Medallion to honor your poetic dedication and achievements.

AMERICAN IDOL WINNER RUBEN STUDDARD AND GRAMMY WINNER TONY ORLANDO WILL JOIN US IN LAS VEGAS!

Ruben Studdard was a 2004 Grammy nominee and won an NAACP Image Award the same year. Ruben's story of an amateur with a dream, who entered a contest and his rise to fame, will be inspiring to us all. Also, performing at this year's event and back by popular demand is Grammy Award winner and star of a hit TV show, Tony Orlando.

You'll also find yourself reading your contest poem in front of new friends, publishers, and editors who are supportive and eager to hear and critique your work. Amidst an intensive weekend of over 20 seminars, readings, rap sessions, and workshops led by the most talented poetry faculty ever assembled, you will have the opportunity to hone your craft. We have even added several young poet lectures to meet the needs of our up-and-coming poets under 18 years of age.

And you'll be able to get up-close and personal with some of the world's most renowned professional poets. This year, we are particularly pleased to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.D. Snodgrass, Academy of American Poets Past Chancellor David Wagoner, Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, Professor Grace Cavalieri, and over a dozen other poetry celebrities who will treat us to very special and inspiring readings of their world-renowned poetry.

OVER 50 POETS WILL SHARE $100,000.00 IN CASH AND PRIZES

And don't forget the most lucrative amateur poetry contest ever! Your contest entry poem can be written in any style, on any subject . . . and can be up to 40 lines long.

Just think . . . for this poem alone, you will have the opportunity to win one of over 50 cash and gift prizes. . . including a Grand Prize of $20,000.00 and a $10,000.00 Publishing Contract. There's also a Second Prize of $10,000.00, Third Prize of $5,000.00, two Fourth Prizes of $2,500.00 each, five Fifth Prizes of $1,000.00 each, and fifteen Sixth Place Prizes of $500.00 each. Plus, we will award an additional five $1,000.00 scholarships to some of today's most talented young poets. We will also present Apple iPods to the runners-up in the young poet category, not to mention door prizes, including tickets to see the best shows in Las Vegas.

DON'T BE LEFT OUT

Don't miss this opportunity. Space is limited, and our conventions routinely sell out. For our 20th anniversary, we have larger cash prizes, more chances to win, and more spectacular entertainment than ever before. Click here to register now or call us at 410-356-2000 ext. 101. Come join your fellow poets and bring your friends and family to Las Vegas, Nevada, July 20-23, 2006, for an incredible weekend and the poetic event of the year!

Sincerely,
Steve Michaels
International Society of Poets
Convention Chairperson

Click here to watch the new convention highlights video

Click here for more information.

Click here to Register Now, or go to
https://www.poetry.com/poetscorner/register.asp?VIP=P5262091&SC=T155

poetry.com * One Poetry Plaza * Owings Mills, MD 21117