The 2026 Ps&Qs Audio Poem Award
Quibble Lit is proud to introduce the Ps&Qs Audio Poem Award, an audio-first poetry competition dedicated to work that rises beyond the page and comes fully alive in voice. Designed to spotlight poems that thrive through sound, breath, cadence, presence, and performance, The Ps&Qs Awards aims to become a meaningful new standard in the landscape of contemporary poetry.
Unlike traditional page-centered contests, all submissions are audio-only and evaluated solely on the strength of their sonic craft. Poets are invited to submit two-minute recordings that lift their writing “above the fold”—work that embodies rhythm, texture, resonance, and the irreplaceable intimacy of the spoken word.Poems don’t just live on the page. They live in the breath, the pause, the crack in the voice, the way a line lands in the ear.
The Ps&Qs Audio Poem Award grows out of Quibble’s 2023 Phonetic Quality Contest, a small pilot experiment that revealed just how deeply poets and listeners connect through sound, voice, and performance.
Judges Panel Announcement Coming Soon!
Submission Window:
December 1 - March 1
About the Award
The award features three primary prizes ($250 / $125 / $75) alongside six core Superlative Categories, each recognizing a distinctive sonic achievement:
Most Humorful
Most Heartbreaking
Most Phonetic
Most Haunting
Best Sonic Experimentation
Best Use of Silence
Winners and finalists will be featured in a multi-platform audio showcase, with an option to submit video performances.
Superlative winners receive publication, a $25 prize, and inclusion in the Ps&Qs showcase.
You don’t need a studio —
a phone in a quiet room is enough.
We’re here for the poem and its performance.
Sonic Delivery: breath, rhythm, pacing, clarity
Voice & presence
Craft: language, structure, originality
Emotional or atmospheric impact
Performance & embodiment
How strongly the poem succeeds as audio-first
What We’re Listening For
How Judging Works
Judging is blind and based entirely on the audio experience.
Once submitted, all audio files are anonymized and scrubbed of metadata by the Organizer (Quibble) before our panel of Guest Judges receive them.
The 3 Finalists Awards will be selected by a five-judge panel representing performance poetry, editorial craft, indie publishing, and contemporary poetics:
Basic Framework
WHAT TO SUBMIT
We accept one audio poem per entry.
Audio Requirements
Length: Poem recording up to 2:00
You may include up to 15 seconds extra for title only (no other spoken info)
Total file length must not exceed 2:15
File formats accepted: MP3, WAV, M4A
No background music, sound effects, or multitrack mixing
Light noise reduction / leveling is fine
Transcript (Required)
Please upload a written transcript of your poem (PDF or Word). Transcripts are not shared with judges — they are used only for accessibility and captioning.
Multiple Entries You may submit multiple poems; each requires its own entry and fee.
ELIGIBILITY Open to all poets, all backgrounds, all regions.
Eligible Work
New, unpublished audio recordings
For 2026, we're able to review English poetry only
Print-published poems are allowed only if the audio is newly recorded
Not Eligible
AI-generated text or AI voice performance
Audio previously published anywhere public (podcasts, YouTube, social media, etc.)
Poems containing identifying information spoken aloud
Work created or edited with multitrack audio production or added soundbeds
FAQ
FAQ
What kind of poems are you looking for?
Poems that come alive in audio: strong voice, dynamic pacing, rich sonics, emotional presence, and thoughtful performance. Any style, genre, or tradition is welcome.
Can I submit a poem that’s been published in print?
We would 100% love an original, never-before-seen poem. If the poem has been previously published, please share and make sure all parties involved are consenting.
How strict is the 2-minute limit?
We allow a 15-second window for sharing A) the Poem Title only - please no identifying information in the audio recording. Files must be 2:15 or under. Anything exceeding the limit may be disqualified.
Do I have to read the poem myself?
Yes. The poem must be performed by the poet. (If you have accessibility needs, email us and we’ll determine a fair accommodation.)
Can I add music or sound effects?
No. Voice-only recordings are encouraged. Light room tone is fine, but no added music, effects, or multi-layer mixes. The focus should be the poem’s voice and presence.
Do the judges see my name?
No. All judging is fully blind.
We remove all metadata and identifying information before your poem is reviewed.
Can I submit more than one poem?
Yes! You can submit as many poems as you like. Each poem requires its own entry and entry fee.
Can my entry win both as a Finalist and a Superlative Award?
No - while our finalist selections will certainly possess qualities found in the Superlatives, the Category Awards are aimed to add extra recognition & opportunity.
What are you judging on?
Judges will consider:
Sonic quality (cadence, clarity, breath)
Performance and presence
Poetic craft
Originality
Emotional or intellectual impact
How well the piece thrives as audio
Do I need a perfect, studio-quality recording?
No. A quiet room and a phone are more than enough.
What if my audio has a small mistake—can I edit?
Basic trimming or volume leveling is totally fine.
No auto-tuning, no multi-track editing, no music beds.
Do I need to include a transcript?
Yes. For accessibility and captioning.
But judges will not see it during blind review.
When will winners be announced?
April 2025.
Finalists will be contacted by email before the public announcement.
What happens if I’m a finalist?
You’ll have the option to:
Submit a video performance for publication
Submit a re-recorded audio version if desired
This is optional, not required.
Can I submit a poem that is in a regional accent, dialect, or in another language?
For our inaugural year, the Award will be focused on English poetry, but in proceeding years the aim is to expand. All dialects, accents, and mannerisms are welcome.
Is simultaneous submission allowed?
Yes. Please withdraw immediately if accepted elsewhere.
Do winners get paid?
Yes.
1st: $250
2nd: $125
3rd: $75
All finalists receive publication
Who are the judges?
Derrick Brown (Write Bloody)
Timothy Green (Rattle / The Poetry Space)
Garrett Souliere (Quibble Lit)
Can I include trigger warnings?
Yes — you may include a brief content note in the transcript.
Where does the entry fee go?
Toward:
Prize payouts
Judge honoraria
Accessibility preparation
Submittable platform fees
Production of the finalist showcase
Quibble is volunteer-run; fees support the contest.
Who can I contact with questions?
Email: Editor@quibblelit.com