2022 Yakima Coffeehouse Annual Poetry Contest
Our next Poetry Contest is currently planned for Spring of 2022. Watch our web-site and Facebook for future dates and deadlines.
Thank you, Ed Stover, President, YCP
Poets residing in EASTERN WASHINGTON are ELIGIBLE. Eastern Washington includes eastern Cascade Mountains, mid-Columbia Basin, Tri-Cities and Walla Walla. Poets included in previous YCP and Allied Arts publications are also eligible.
Signed or hand–written poems, or poems decorated with clip art, borders, drawings or photos WILL NOT be accepted.
Winning poems will be published in 2022 YCP chapbook. All entering poets will receive a free copy of the chapbook. Chapbooks will be available to the public for a donation of $10.00 per copy.
The judging process is BLIND. That is, no information is available to the judges about the identity of any poet until the final selection is complete.
The event has a history, one that got its start in 1994 as the brainchild of Elizabeth Herres Miller, a former executive director of Allied Arts of Yakima who thought a literary event would complement the nonprofit’ s visual arts calendar. The contest quickly caught on. In 2006, a second event was later added: “Open Mic Night,” a monthly spoken-word forum for local poets to read their own poetry. Unfortunately, while the fortunes of these poetry events waxed, those of Allied Arts waned. The nonprofit closed its doors in December 2013.
Contest questions, contact us at:
YCPoetrycontest@gmail.com
The 2021 chapbook of winners, “twenty-sixth” are available for a $10 donation (plus $2.50 for postage) payable to YCP or at Inklings Bookshop in Yakima. This year’s and earlier chapbooks are still available by contacting Ed Stover at 509-833-8577 or via Email.
2019 Yakima Coffeehouse Poetry Contest Photo Gallery
An excellent turnout for the 2019 Yakima Coffeehouse Poets Poetry Contest – October 22. 
Honorable Mention, Hank Buchmann.
Tom Pier Prize went to Terry Martin.
First Place winner Joanna Thomas… The crown was presented to her by last year’s First Place winner Linda Brown!
2017 Yakima Coffeehouse Poetry Contest Photo Gallery
2017 Emcee Mark Fuzie 
Joyce Hernandez reading at the 2017 Contest. 
The Test Tube Poets providing entertainment for us all 
Lots of chit-chat at the reception.
2016 Yakima Coffeehouse Poetry Contest Photo Gallery
Second Prize – Kathleen Smith 
Honorable Mention – Randie Gotlieb 
Emcee Mark Fuzie 
Tom Pier Prize – W.D. Frank