The City Of New York Hosts Annual Twitter '#Nycpoetweet' Contest April 1-8, 2014

April 1, 2014

First Lady Chirlane McCray will help select winners of '#NYCPoetweet' contest to appear in Metro New York on Poem in Your Pocket Day (April 24)

NEW YORK—In honor of April as National Poetry Month, starting Tuesday, April 1, the City of New York (@NYCGov) is hosting the annual "#NYCPoetweet" Twitter poetry contest. Poems sent using the hashtag #NYCPoetweet by April 8 will be considered for the grand prize: appearance in Metro New York on April 24, 2014, which is Poem in Your Pocket Day. Visit nyc.gov/poem for official rules.

Poem in Your Pocket Day is a citywide celebration led by the Office of the Mayor, in partnership with the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Education, to encourage all New Yorkers to appreciate poetry and highlight the importance of literacy. Throughout the month of April, literary organizations will host poetry events across the five boroughs, and on April 24, all New Yorkers will be encouraged to carry a poem in their pocket to share with friends, family and colleagues. Partners for Poem in Your Pocket Day include the Academy of American Poets, the Bryant Park Corporation, Metro New York, and the Poetry Society of America. Visit nyc.gov/poem for a calendar of events taking place throughout the month and "like" the Poem In Your Pocket Day NYC Facebook page for updates on activities citywide.

WHO: New Yorkers and Twitter users from across the U.S.

WHAT: "#NYCPoetweet" Twitter Poetry Contest

• To celebrate National Poetry Month and NYC's Poem in Your Pocket Day
• The basic rules: keep it clean, and keep it to one tweet
• Use the hashtag #NYCPoetweet
• Winners selected by the Office of the Mayor published in Metro New York on Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 24.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 1 – Tuesday, April 8, 2014

WHERE: The City of New York's Twitter page (www.twitter.com/nycgov)