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The Garden Party Collective presents: "Nature As It Is: Poems of Queer Ecology"

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For our sixth poetry contest (June 2026), Laura Villareal selected "Nature As It Is: Poems of Queer Ecology": 

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"Queer ecology (which is really just ecology) disrupts presumptions of binary thinking at every turn. Heteronormativity and dualism aren’t the norm in the abundant and radically inclusive reality of nature. The more-than-human world is brimming with queerness and continues to challenge human-imposed limitations on our understanding of sex, gender, and sexuality. Give me your poems about many gendered mushrooms, send me your pantoums about male seahorses giving birth, villanelles about sex-changing clownfish and ginko trees, and sonnets for queer creatures (flora, fauna, and funga). Whatever form, whatever part of nature calls to you. Let’s return together to the truth about our world, overflowing with queerness—nature as it is. Surprise me."

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Poetry Contest Details

OUR 6TH POETRY CONTEST OPENS IN JUNE!

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SUBMISSION PERIOD: When our next contest is open, please send your submissions to:

gardenpartycollectivecontests@gmail.com

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WHAT WE OFFER:

  • At least 3 poems will be picked as winners by the lead judge and the collective, with featured publication and promotion!

  • Each winning poet will have their choice between 1) a $50 payment, or 2) choosing a charity of their choice (either in their community or we can share a small list of reputable choices), which GPC will match for a total donation of $100!

    • Much love to ConcÄ«s for their charity-donation model as our inspiration 

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GUIDELINES: ​

All submission entries should be accompanied by a 2-4 sentence bio with any relevant links in the body of the email. Please include the titles of your poems in the body of the submission email, and attach your poetry contest manuscript as a pdf / doc / docx to the email.

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ADDITIONALLY: 

  • Entries must be ~3 pages max, with up to 3 poems

    • IE—at maximum, you can submit a single 3-page poem, OR three 1-page poems, OR a 2-pager and a 1-pager, etc.

    • All poems should be included in one document (not separately)

  • ​Please start each poem on a new page

  • No previously published work

  • All styles are welcome—traditional, experimental, hybrid, etc.

  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please keep us in the loop if you hear back elsewhere 

  • Please include your pronouns in your bio/submission so we can properly refer to you <3​

  • & one entry per person, please​

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Any entry received after the selected dates will not be considered for publication. We read every manuscript, and will select our winners within two months of submissions!​

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Thank you for your trust in us!!! 

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