Carmen Soler Poetry Awards 2026: Call for Unpublished Works Now Open

The Colectivo Asunción Flores (CAF) has launched the call for entries for the 2026 Carmen Soler Poetry Awards, an international competition that has been organized annually since 2017. This year's edition invites writers from around the globe to submit their unpublished works.

The awards feature two distinct categories: Guarani and Spanish. Participants can submit poems in either verse or prose, with no restrictions on theme. The competition is open to individuals aged 18 and older, with each writer permitted to submit only one original piece. Crucially, the submitted work must be entirely unpublished, meaning it cannot have appeared online, in print, been read publicly, or entered into other contests.

Submissions must adhere to specific formatting guidelines: a single A4 page in PDF format, using a font size between 11 and 13 points. Entries are to be sent exclusively via email to poesia.carmen.soler@gmail.com, with the subject line "Registro para ed2026 Premios de Poesía Carmen Soler." The deadline for submissions is October 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM Paraguay time.

Each submission requires two separate files: one containing the poem itself, without any identifying author information, and a second file with the author's profile. This profile must include the author's name, pseudonym (if any), nationality, date of birth, contact details, and a brief biographical sketch. The CAF also specified that works promoting hate speech, racism, discrimination, or violence will not be accepted.

Winners will be selected in each category by an independent jury, whose identities will remain confidential until the awards ceremony. The winning poets will receive a medal, a certificate of recognition, a special book, and a monetary prize of G. 200,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency for international recipients). Additionally, two special mentions will be awarded: the "Santiago Dimas Aranda" for social poetry and the "Elvio Romero" for committed poetry, irrespective of the language of the work.