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John Anderson Biography

I was born under the star sign 'Pisces' and as the saying goes "You can't get over that". I have life-long interests in water, fish, the sea, sailing and everything wet and aquatic. I have a scientific background in the environment and fisheries. I have written extensively on many topics. I have created and manage a gaggle of websites. I have now retired and live in the 'Shark Shack' by the sea near Jervis Bay, on the South Eastern coast of Australia. I sail, fish, walk, dive and swim as much as I can with the motto: 'Diving for Pearls'. My main focus is on didactic poems. I love the poems of Dylan Thomas and my favorite movie is 'Under Milk Wood' (a radio play, made into a film). I also like Les Murray. My website is Poetry Community http://www.poetrycommunity.com. Cheers!

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A Plea for Contest Sponsors

Blog Posted by John Anderson: 7/24/2023 10:46:00 AM

Please oh please, be less picky and pedantic in what you want
Sure you know what you like and want,
but being a little freer would help the entr-ants
A couple of points.

Most contests are judged from just the plain words, without seeing the adornments such as images, voice, videos. So why should these irrelevant things matter? They matter to the authors. Asking an author to not add the voice or image until after it is judged is being picky and onerous.
Poems are written for the long term, not just for the competition, so please don't ask for strange letters or words in titles => not required to see the entries which are listed for you.
Asking for very narrow word limits such as 130-150 words is too restrictive? Why does it matter so much => 100-200 is freer and of moderate length.
If you like rhyme and verse, and you are going to reject free verse out of hand, or allocate tiny points for such poems, so they don't have a chance, then say you want rhyme or verse, please.

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Speaks Volumes

January 17, 2026 at 9:56 PM

I dont visit Soup much. I used to love the contests. I still look down the list, and when I see one that sparks my interest, I get so disappointed at the constraints placed on the entry. I write my poem then attempt to alter it to fit the requirements of word number, line number, syllable number, and rhyme pattern and see my poor poem torn to shreds. I delete it and leave utterly disillusioned about Soup contests.

Gershon Wolf

August 1, 2023 at 7:12 PM

I agree with you, John. One of the reasons I stopped entering contests were all the weird restrictions and requirements. It seemed that often the winning entry/entries simply did not constitute good poetry. ~ Gershon

John Anderson

August 1, 2023 at 8:01 PM

I agree. I mostly use the contests to try new things and as a prompt for new topics. Thanks for the feedback

Suzette Richards

July 26, 2023 at 4:44 AM

Dear John, The restriction on the word count is to level the playing field and the sponsor does not have the time or the inclination to plow through verbose entries. It is what it is, and word count is acceptable practice in international contests.

Craig Cornish

July 26, 2023 at 10:24 AM

John, the bottom line is "anything they choose"!!! If 155 is okay, why not 156 etc. If one can't work with a 20 word leeway go elsewhere - what the heck! BTW, I wanted to find who insulted my contest with rules broken and a ridiculous poem on top of it and it was you - grow up John!! Contest sponsors have better things to do than entertain juveniles...

John Anderson

July 26, 2023 at 10:09 AM

Of course, but my point is to plea for some leeway. Having a requirement that a story has to have between 130 and 150 words and to reject a poem with 155 words is too tough IMHO. Of course sponsors can want and do anything they choose!!!

Craig Cornish

July 25, 2023 at 1:18 PM

Dear John...hmmm, that's an onerous salutation? Pictures and videos and images etc. are truly a separate media than poetry. "A picture's worth a thousand words"... which connotates that it creates those thoughts in the viewer's mind (the beauty of it). Poems (words) should do the reverse. A weak picture needs words - a week poem needs images. You may, of course, do both for extra effect like lyrics to a melody but it then becomes a different media. An excellent poem can stand on its own and create every emotion that a Mona Lisa painting creates---without a subscript...

Craig Cornish

July 25, 2023 at 1:23 PM

Also John, you are free to change everything about a poem after the contest is judged (title & even the length and content). All are therefore moot points as far as future presentations of whatever format you would like to present.

John Lawless

July 25, 2023 at 3:39 AM

when I "judge" a contest I sit behind a very large desk holding a gavel. Some are found "guilty" of being so good I must sentence them to a placement, others are sent to the "who's cow" for further interpretation.

Craig Cornish

July 25, 2023 at 12:58 PM

John (Lawless), you're too kind LOL, I have a shotgun and anyone who can explain creatively why they should live...survive---the rules are simple - don't bore me!

Tania Kitchin

July 24, 2023 at 1:56 PM

John, I try to be clear with my contests in the contest directions in all contests I sponsor. I would never sponsor a contest regarding a poetry form or poem that I have no experience with writing neither. I am picky with my haiku contests but am very clear on my expectations. It is also important to note that when judging poems any pics, images, etc. cannot be viewed during judging. It would be nice if this was changed.

Mark Koplin

July 24, 2023 at 1:13 PM

Interesting topic Mr. Anderson. I guess what I usually do when I look at these contests is follow the hosts rules and if I don’t like their rules and think they are too picky then I don’t enter and just move on with life. Maybe you should start your own contest and run it how you see fit, just a thought. Cheers!

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