Portland, Oregon - USANationals.com
has just announced that $500,000.00 in prizes will be awarded for the best poems received over the next 12 months in the International Open Amateur Poetry Contest. The contest begins March 15th, 2002. The contest is open to everyone

"There are many thousands of people around the world who are writing or can write great poetry," says Al Sheppard. "They write for their family, friends, lovers, and for themselve and, like me, they wonder if their poetry is any good... or how it would stack up on a National or International level. If you like to write you should also be able to earn money for your poems. The world need your poetry. Especially now... there is an even greater need for communication between people of all nations, cultures, religions and races."

"The cash and prizes are to attract more people to entering the contests and sharing their writing. The entry fee is also a donation to support the "Search For Good Poets/Writers" and to help fund the prize money and awards. Writing should be fun but you can also earn cash money and prizes all year long."

"In spite of all this talk about winning, cash, prizes, donations, the ultimate goal of the contest is to show that poeple all over the world have the same feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams in life and to encourage written expression for a better world, peace and understanding as well as to help with disaster relief."