GBOMA Submissions

GBOMA Submissions

— 2026 —

The Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) is an annual poetry competition founded by Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) and open to all Illinois residents over the age of 18.

This year, the top contestants will be selected by our guest judge, Nate Marshall, and will be invited to perform their original poems at the live finals event, where the audience favorite is awarded the $500 prize.

Submissions are now being reviewed by guest judge Nate Marshall, and finalists will be announced the week of August 31st.

GUEST JUDGE:

Nate Marshall

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Nate Marshall is an award-winning writer, editor, educator, and MC with numerous works, including Finna, Wild Hundreds, and the audio drama Bruh Rabbit & The Fantastic Telling of Remington Ellis Esq. Nate catapulted his career as a teenager when he won Louder than a Bomb and starred in the festival’s documentary. Among his many other accomplishments, Nate was a finalist of Brave New Voices and co-wrote No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. As a past winner of the Guild’s annual Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards, Nate Marshall is an important literary artist of our community and all around the city of Chicago.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Participant must be 18 years of age or older by the last day of the submission period.
  • Participant must be a permanent resident of Illinois.
  • Submit one (1) original poem. No exceptions.
  • Poem must be previously unpublished.
  • Poem must be submitted as .DOC or .PDF file in a legible 12-point font.
  • A submission fee of $10 is required, payable directly as part of the submission process.
  • Submissions without a fee will not be considered.
    • Your submission fee includes a non-transferable ticket to the GBOMA semifinals live event—which is a great event in itself—PLUS you could win $500!
  • Participants must be available to perform their poem at the live GBOMA event. If selected as a competing semifinalist, attendance at the event is mandatory. You cannot be considered for the prize if you are unable to perform at the event.
  • When performed, the poem cannot exceed three (3) minutes.
  • Contestants will not be able to use props or music or any accompaniment outside of their voice/body during the performance of poems at the competition.
  • Incomplete applications or applications that do not follow these guidelines will not be considered.
  • Previous winners are not eligible, but previous applicants and semifinalists are encouraged to re-submit.

When you have submitted the online form, you will receive a confirmation that your poem & payment has been submitted. Please save the
confirmation page for your records.

If you are unable to submit your poem and payment through the online forms, please email programming@guildcomplex.org well in advance of the deadline to make alternate arrangements, we will do our best to accommodate your needs, but no extensions will be granted.

Semifinalists will be notified by email.

If you have questions, please read the FAQs below. If you do not find the answer you need, write to us at: programming@guildcomplex.org

FAQs

What if my poem is really good, but it’s more like three-and-a-half minutes long?

Picking a poem that fits comfortably within the time limit makes the best possible evening for your audience, your fellow competitors, and you. The three-minute time limit will be strictly enforced. Choose a poem that you can perform carefully and clearly in the time allotted, and your work will be heard and enjoyed – and not cut short or rushed.

What if I am not comfortable performing my poetry? Can someone else do it?

Some poets don’t like to perform. That’s ok. But like a lot of events with the Guild, we want to bring writing to life for our audiences. And we know no one can do that for your poem better than you!

I have a wedding/job/date/etc on the date of event. Can I leave the competition early/come late?

We decide the order of performers that night, so you have to be available for the full event. Besides, you won’t want to miss any of the other excellent poems.

If chosen as a semifinalist, do I have to memorize my poem?

That’s up to you. But whether you read it or recite it from memory, make sure you know it well enough to perform it in an engaging way.

What’s up with requiring a submission fee? I’m not a rich poet.

We understand. But the submission fee helps offset part of the Guild’s costs for the event, PLUS your submission fee allows you entrance into the event whether you are selected as a semifinalist or not.

Do I have to pay my submission fee online?

Yes. At this time our limited staff support makes this the best way to process entries quickly and accurately.