Literary Journal

Gylys Villanelle Prize

Closes in 7 days

Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listed

About the magazine

The Gylys Villanelle Prize is an annual award dedicated exclusively to the villanelle, a poetic form known for its intricate rhyme scheme and refrains. Founded to honor the legacy of poet and translator Lionginas Gylys, the prize seeks to sustain serious engagement with formal poetry in contemporary letters. By focusing on a single, demanding form, it encourages poets to explore the tension between constraint and invention, and to test their craft against a tradition that stretches from Elizabethan song to modern lyric. The prize is administered online, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and broad participation within the global poetry community.

Submitting your work

Reading periodCloses in 7 days

Poets should submit only villanelles, adhering strictly to the form's traditional requirements: nineteen lines, five tercets followed by a quatrain, with a rhyme scheme of ABA and two refrains. While innovation within the form is welcome, judges prioritize technical precision and emotional resonance. Carefully proofread for meter and rhyme, and avoid forced syntax. Simultaneous submissions are typically permitted, but notify promptly if the poem is accepted elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter with publication history, if any, and ensure the poem is previously unpublished.

Submission calls

1 listed

OpenDeadline · 2026-10-12