Share Your Poetry

Whether you've been writing poetry for years or you're just getting started, we invite poets of all ages and experience levels from across the Capital Regional District (CRD) to share their work.

There are two ways to participate.  Enter the Poetry Contest, contribute to a Community Poem, or do both!

Submission period: August 1 to September 30. 2026

Poetry Contest

Share your best original poetry for a chance to win:

  • A Bolen Books gift certificate
  • A one-on-one mentorship session with Saanich Community Poet Jesse Holth

Winning poems will be published and shared through Little Free Libraries across Saanich.

Guidelines

  • Free to enter and open to anyone living in the Capital Regional District (CRD).
  • Submit up to two original, unpublished poems.
  • Poems may be written in any style and on any theme.
  • Poetry must be respectful of others and must not contain hate speech or discriminatory language.
  • Please type poems using a 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar).
  • Writers retain copyright of their original work.
  • Winning entries will be selected by the Community Poet.  Submission does not guarantee publication.

 Community Poem

Contribute a collaborative poem inspired by the places, people, landscapes, and communities that make this region home.

Saanich Community Poet Jesse Holth will create a collaborative poem using words, lines, and phrases from participants’ submissions, bringing together many voices into one shared work.

Guidelines

  • Free to enter and open to anyone living in the Capital Regional District (CRD).
  • Submit one original, unpublished poem inspired by Saanich or the CRD.
  • Poems may explore themes such as community, belonging, local places, landscapes, nature, the more-than-human world, or hopes for the future.
  • Poetry must be respectful of others and must not contain hate speech or discriminatory language.
  • Please type poems using a 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar).
  • Writers retain copyright of their original work.

You’re welcome to participate in both the Poetry Contest and the Community Poem.

We can't wait to read your work! Submit your poetry by September 30, 2026.
Complete the Application Form [PDF - 224 KB].