In her biography, Asia Rainey is described as “An eclectic artist with an intense passion for poetry.”  Rainey, who is a multi-talented artist, recently released the 2nd Edition of her book Soul Chant:  A Collection of Poems.  Rainey’s poems, often autobiographical in nature, are heart-felt and honest.

To honor the publication of the 2nd edition of Soul Chant and to celebrate the  WRITE, NOLA! POETRY FESTIVAL, a two-day festival aimed at revitalizing the local poetry scene, 411 NOLA is sponsoring a contest for poets and spoken word artists.  We are calling it the “Poetic Soul Contest”.   Cost to enter is $5 per poem.  Deadline to enter is December 31, 2011 at 11:55 p. m. CST.

• The Poetic Soul Contest accepts entries form all writers aged 14 and up regardless of their location, their level of writing experience and whether or not they have published their work in the past.  Poems previously published elsewhere are welcome.  Poems must be written or performed in English.
• All poems must be the original works of the entrants.
• Limit, 3 poems per entrant.
• All poems must, in some way, speak to the human soul.
• Written poems must be 60 lines or fewer without exception.  Instead of submitting a written poem, you can choose to send 411 NOLA a link to a video of your spoken word poetry performance.  Videos may not be any longer than 3 minutes in length.
• Entrants may publish their poems elsewhere but agree to allow 411 NOLA to publish them in any form for any reason on the 411 NOLA site at http://www.411nola.com at any time in the future without remuneration.
• 411 NOLA will select 3 winners.  All winners will have their poems published on the site.
• Prizes are as follows:
  • The 1st Place Winner will receive a $100 American Express Gift Card and a copy of Soul Chant by the acclaimed New Orleans poet Asia Rainey.
  • The 2nd Place Winner will receive a $50 American Express Gift Card and a copy of Soul Chant by the acclaimed New Orleans poet Asia Rainey.
  • The 3rd Place Winner will receive a copy of Soul Chant by the acclaimed New Orleans poet Asia Rainey.
• Judges for this contest include poets Marcia Wall and Asia Rainey as well as E. Coleman, who has produced readings for poet and spoken word artist Professor Arturo, author of My Name is New Orleans:  40 Years of Poetry & other Jazz.