Inkwell: Volume 2
We are now accepting submissions for our 2nd Voume of Inkwell! This anthology is open to all poets - not just poets in Decatur, Illinois, and not just poets in Illinois. If you are a poet - submit!
Just like our first anthology (see details below), we will also be publishing the winners of our 2nd annual student poetry competition in Decatur, Illinois, and then having a poetry reading in January of 2026. If your poem is accepted for publication, you are welcome to come to this event and read a poem!
Inkwell: Volume 2 - Poetry Reading & Book Release
Decatur Public Library, Decatur, Illinois
Saturday, January 24th, 2026
1:00 pm
Inkwell: Volume 2
How to Submit
Submission Deadline: September 20, 2025
1. Submit up to 3 poems in one PDF file (poems should be family-friendly)
2. Email submissions to: decaturareapoets@gmail.com
3. In the email subject line put "Inkwell Volume 2 Submission"
4. All poems should have author's name, email, and phone number listed
5. Keep poems to one page and use 12 pt font
6. All poems must be previously unpublished. No simultaneous submissions.
7. We do not charge a reading fee
8. We do not offer monetary compensation for contributions
9. We do not accept work created by AI
10. Include in your email a brief bio written in the 3rd person
Also in your email, let us know if we have your permission to share your published poetry on our Facebook page, along with your bio.
In addition, we will be creating a "featured section" inside the anthology which will showcase poems that are about Decatur. It could be a poem about a Decatur landmark, a favorite Decatur memory, a Decatur spot of nature, or anything else Decatur related. You may also submit up to three poems for this section, using the same rules as above, however, on the top of each poem make sure you also add "For Decatur Section" so that we know you are submitting it for this section. If you plan to submit for the anthology AND the Decatur section, still put all of your poems (up to 6 total) in one PDF document.
Thank you, and happy writing!
- Decatur Area Poets
Inkwell Volume 1
We are excited to present to you our first anthology, Inkwell: Volume 1
Buy your copy on Amazon by clicking here: https://a.co/d/8APE2q5
This anthology features 37 poets from across Illinois, including the top eight finalists in the first Decatur-Wide High School Student Poetry Competition!
We plan to do the competition again as well as produce our next anthology later this year, so stay tuned for details. In the meantime, enjoy some photos from our Book Release event from January 25, 2025:
