Theme | Rules | Submit | Curator
In 2025, we transitioned from a jury-based selection process to a single-curator model to foster a more cohesive artistic vision and streamline decision-making.
This year’s curator is Erik van Loon, founder of the Poetry Downtown Festival. In addition, he’s the founder of House of Craziness (an indie publisher) and Poetry On Air.
Having chaired the jury for the first four anthologies, he brings a wealth of experience and an enduring passion for poetry—qualities that promise to shape a bold and thoughtfully curated collection.
Photo: 2005 Selfportrait of Erik Van Loon
Former jury members
Chris Semtner (2024), Curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Chris Semtner is poe scholar and curator of the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Besides that he is author of 11 books about Edgar Allan Poe and a very talented artist with exhibitions all over the world.
G. H. Mosson (2024), Writer and Poet
Author of “Family Snapshot as a Poem in Time” (Finishing Line Press 2019) and “Questions of Fire” (Plain View Press 2009), and a poet with prestigious journal publications including in The Tampa Review, Loch Raven Review, California Quarterly, Smartish Pace, Lines & Stars, and has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize.
Greg Bell (2022-2023), Poet in Los Angeles
Greg was jury member from 2022 till 2023. He lived in Venice and is a 2019 recipient of The Kowit Poetry Prize and poet himself. He teach poetry in daily life and is an active member of Beyond Baroque.
P Segal (2021-2023), Director at San Francisco Art House
P was jury member from 2021 till 2023. As former Santa Monica resident she knew all the big poets from the past personally. After she moved to San Francisco she became on of the founders of Burning Man and now she is founder of San Francisco Art House
Erik van Loon (2021-2024), Founder of Poetry Downtown Festival
Erik van Loon is a Dutch artist living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and founder of Poetry Downtown Festival. He runs also House Of Craziness and Poetry On Air!
