By Doug Holder

The Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award is presented at the annual Somerville News Writers Festival  (http://somervillenewswritersfestival.com/ ) every year at the Jimmy Tingle Off-Broadway Theatre in Davis Square.

The festival will be held November 11 this year. In past years poets and writers such as Pulitzer Prize winner Franz Wright, Robert Olen Butler, Oscar-nominated novelist Tom Perotta, Iowa Writer’s Workshop head Lan Samantha Chang, Sue Miller ( author of “The Good Mother”), Steve Almond, Boston Globe Columnist Alex Beam, poet Nick Flynn, and many others have read in this event. This year former poet laureate Robert Pinsky will be receiving the Ibbetson Street Lifetime Achievement Award, the other award presented at the festival.

Ibbetson Street Press is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Ibbetson Street Poetry Award Contest. The winner of the contest must be a Massachusetts resident, will receive a $100 cash award, a framed certificate, publication in the literary journal “Ibbetson Street and will be featured in “Lyrical Somerville,” The Somerville News’ weekly poetry column.

  To enter send, three to five poems, any genre or length, to Doug Holder at 25 School St., Somerville, Mass. 02143. Entry fee is $10. Cash or check only. Make payable to Ibbetson Street Press or Doug Holder. The deadline is Sept. 15. The contest will be judged by Richard Wilhelm, Somerville poet and writer. The winner will be announced at the festival, and will receive his or her award. A runner up will be announced as well.