
Letters to the Moon
Write your poem as a letter or direct address to the moon.
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Sep 12, 2025
Submissions closed
Nov 08, 2025 4:59 AM CUT
Results
Nov 14, 2025
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Sep 12, 2025
Submissions closed
Nov 08, 2025 4:59 AM CUT
Results
Nov 14, 2025
About this challenge
This Challenge is part of the Vocal+ Fall Poetry Series. Learn more
The Prompt
Write your poem as a letter or direct address to the moon.
The moon is both timeless and personal. It has carried myths, guided travelers, and inspired poets for centuries, yet it also feels close enough to whisper to on a quiet night.
You might treat the moon as a confidant, a witness, or a figure out of myth. However you approach it, let the poem feel like both a letter and an offering.
Write like the moon has been waiting to hear from you.
In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:
- A poem (any style or structure is welcome)
- Between 100 and 500 words.
- Submitted to the Poets community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
- Submitted before November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Your work must be original and unpublished.
The Prizes
- 5 Winners: $200 each
- 15 Runners-up: $15 each
- 10 Honorable Mentions: $5 each
How to enter
For your story to be eligible, it must be between 100 and 500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.
The Letters to the Moon Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.
To be eligible to win, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.
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