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1st Annual Belonging Books

Merch Design Contest

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Welcome to the 1st Annual Belonging Books Merch Design Contest!

We invite readers across Cape Cod to share their ideas around third spaces through their creative practices. By creating a custom design, participants use color, symbols, and imagery to capture innovative concepts, and appreciation for the role indie bookstores play in our community.

Quick info:

Contest Details and Guidelines:

Theme: Cozy & Bookish; celebrating diversity within reading
Design entries must include:

  • The name of our store "Belonging Books" and our tagline "a gathering place"

  • Design must relate to the theme

  • Can be any shape, but should be able to fit within a 4"x4" square for printing purposes

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I want to participate.
Sign me up!

We wanted to make this program as accessible as possible, so you would have different options for how much you want to participate. 

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Choose from either a class, a four-week long workshop, or the full course.​

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Mondays at 6 p.m., starting on April 27th, 2026. 

“We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceans - because we can. We have some impulse within us that makes us want to explain ourselves to other human beings.” – Maya Angelou

Timeline

Contest Opens - June 1st

Start this course with a foundation building introductory workshop where we will explore core poetic devices through reading and reflecting on the works of master poets. Expect to participate in guided writing exercises designed to help you experiment using a range of literary techniques such as imagery, metaphor, rhythm, and narrative structure.

Submissions Due - July 22

Hone the craft of writing 'for the ear', turning your poem into an engaging experience when spoken aloud. Begin practicing performance, focusing on rhythm, repetition, pacing, and sound. Develop your own unique stage presence, vocal delivery, and facial/body expression. Learn to build confidence and the transformative power of authenticity!

Winner Announced - July 25

During our Poetry Slam Workshop's you will learn to write specifically for the stage, continuing to hone devices such as repetition and pacing while adding other techniques to your repertoire such as alliteration and emphasis. Your writing will feel more alive and impactful as you practice sharing your work in our supportive community setting.  

Prizes Awarded - August 1

In the second part of our Poetry Slam Workshop, you'll develop confidence with your voice projection skills and discover how breath and timing elevate a performance. We will also share insights on the written and unwritten rules of poetry competitions, from scoring systems to audience participation. 

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