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Student Success Excellence and Expertise

Writing Back to the Past: Dig Into the University Libraries Archives for the Spring 2023 HWC Poetry Contest

Every spring semester, the Howe Writing Center hosts a poetry contest that challenges writers with specific prompts. This spring, the HWC is partnering with University Libraries for the theme of “Writing Back to the Past,” a concept which honors past Miami writers and inspires current members of the Miami community to grow their craft and learn from those who came before.

Student Success Excellence and Expertise

Writing Back to the Past: Dig Into the University Libraries Archives for the Spring 2023 HWC Poetry Contest

UPDATE: The deadline for the spring poetry contest is now Sunday, April 30th by midnight!

Every spring semester, the Howe Writing Center hosts a poetry contest that challenges writers with specific prompts. This spring, the HWC is partnering with University Libraries for the theme of “Writing Back to the Past,” a concept which honors past Miami writers and inspires current members of the Miami community to grow their craft and learn from those who came before.

The Howe Writing Center invites Miami writers to “dig” into the University Libraries Archives to create a “golden shovel” poem. The Golden Shovel is a poetic form initially created by contemporary poet Terrance Hayes. The Poetry Society’s website defines a golden shovel as a poem which asks writers to “borrow a line or phrase by someone else, and use each of their words as the final word of each line in your new poem. You must keep the original order of the words intact, and you must credit the author of the original line or phrase.”

Individuals interested in participating in the contest can get started by reviewing the current exhibition of poetry provided by Miami University Libraries, picking a poem, and getting started with their writing. Writers must submit their poem, noting which poem they have drawn inspiration from, as well as a writer’s note explaining their writing process and the choices made during composition.

Prizes will be awarded as well:

  • First Place: $100
  • Second Place: $75
  • Third Place: $50
  • Staff Pick: $50

If you would like to prepare your work for submission, we recommend working with a writing consultant either through individual appointments or at the Creative Writing Café at 18 Peabody.

Submissions are due by midnight on Sunday, April 30th, and will be reviewed and judged by a panel of Howe Writing Center consultants.

We look forward to reviewing your submissions and experiencing how you adapt Miami’s rich and varied poetry archives.