Sport Literate is perhaps the nation's lone literary journal that examines sports through the lens of creative nonfiction. Primarily nonfiction. We publish poetry, too. We've had three writers republish their essays in the pages of The Best American Sports Writing. Little old us tucked in between the likes of The New Yorker and The LA Times. Read a back issue and send us work that goes deep. Beyond the fields of play. Further than nostalgic longings.
NOTE: If you're ordering a back issue, or getting one at a discount with your submission, we need a U.S. domestic address to send the publication.
Pair of Poet Laureates to Judge Our 1970s Contest
Sport Literate will be awarding two $500 prizes — for the top selected poem and best essay — within the broad yesteryear theme. We won’t be prescriptive beyond that, except to say that poets and writers should, of course, be looking at the 1970s decade through some sort of sporting lens.
Our guest judges, both SL veterans and contest winners themselves, also happen to be former state Poet Laureates. SL editors will read through submissions and send anonymous finalists to the judges, who will pick their favorites.
Jack Bedell, our essay judge, served as Louisiana Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019. A professor of English, Jack coordinates the Creative Writing program at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he also edits Louisiana Literature and directs the Louisiana Literature Press. His published work, in numerous journals, has been included in Best Microfiction and Best Spiritual Literature. His latest collection is Against the Woods’ Dark Trunks.
Sydney Lea, our poetry judge, served as Vermont’s Poet Laureate from 2011 to 2015. The author of 23 books, Syd was the 2021 recipient of his home state’s most prestigious artist’s distinction: the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. A former Pulitzer finalist and winner of the Poets’ Prize, he is the founding editor of New England Review.
Contest guidelines:
· We think the $30 reading fee is a reasonable pot builder.
· All entrants receive a two-issue subscription (a $20 value), beginning with the issue you’re submitting for. Plus, two back issues. Current subscribers can extend subscriptions or gift one to someone else.
· All submissions should come through Submittable (on our website).
· Poets can send up to three poems per entry. Please place all in one Word document.
· Writers can send one essay per entry. Enter as many times as you like. A million times if you like.
· We’ll consider a chapter of a book, though your essay should read as a standalone piece.
· All entries will be considered for standard publication.
· Previously published work is acceptable. Just let us know where it first appeared.
· Submission deadline: midnight, June 30, 2024. We may extend this one time to July’s end.
· In addition to your subscription, you get two back issues — an oldie (of our choosing) and something more recent. If you have a preference, let us know. Otherwise, you get what you get.
· Note: We can mail issues only to U.S. domestic addresses. So if you live abroad, maybe you’ve got a cousin in the States. You can, however, still enter the contest.
U.S. domestic addresses only.
U.S. domestic addresses only.
Sport Literate accepts all forms of creative nonfiction for its annual journal. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know if your work is accepted elsewhere.