Like Storyluck.org, the Guild Literary Complex is dedicated to giving diverse, emerging, and often under-served voices opportunities to share their creative work with the Chicago community.
Much of this inspiration stems from African-American Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks who spent much of her life writing in the South Side of Chicago and who collaborated with the organization. For the past 21 years, the Guild Literary Complex has been honoring her memory and her vision with the Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Through online submissions, they will select twenty semi-finalists to compete in front of a live audience on Wednesday, July 23 at 7pm at the Chopin Theater (1543 W. Division Street) for a cash prize of $500. The live audience will judge and determine the winner.
The deadline to submit written work and be considered for the final spoken competition is June 30th.
Guidelines for submissions are as follows:
1. Applicant must be 18 by July 23rd
2. Applicant must reside in Illinois
3. Only one poem (must be unpublished) can be submitted
4. When performed, the poem must be less than 3 minutes long
5. Poems should be submitted in print (12 pt. font)
6. Applicants must pay a $5 submission fee
Whether you’re interested in competing or not, the final performance will showcase poets that have been chosen for their unique voices. Attending is a great way to meet other live performers, literary enthusiasts, and like-minded members of the Guild Literary Complex. Entrance is $8 for general and $6 for students/seniors.
To learn more about the organization and their monthly events, visit their website.
