Shot Caller Press, LLC is conducting a poetry contest for prisoners, ex-prisoners, family members or friends of people in prison, prison guards, prison volunteers, or prison workers. The first place prize is $250, second place receives $100, and coming in third gets one $50.

The rules are that poems must be about the life, the events and the feelings associated with being in or involved with prison; they must be submitted with a signed consent form; must be no more than three pages long; must be readable (typed poems preferred, but handwritten poems are accepted as long as they are readable, with photocopies discouraged); and cannot be "found" poems that take the words of other published authors and are used to make a poem. In addition, poets can enter up to three poems (each poem needs to have a separate consent form); poets must consent to being published if picked for the book; any employees, friends or family members of any employee or member of Shot Caller Press, LLC cannot enter the contest; and all entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.

To enter, print out an entry form, then sign and mail it along with your poem(s) to: Shot Caller Press -- Poetry Contest, 8316 N. Lombard #317, Portland, OR 97203. Or, e-mail customerservice@shotcallerpress.com with the name and address of the person to whom you want an entry form sent. Click here for additional details and answers to frequently asked questions.