Part of the Howe Writing Center’s mission is to help cultivate a culture of writing that honors a range of voices and perspectives at Miami. That’s why each semester we host a writing contest open to submissions from any Miami undergraduate or graduate student writers. A group of our student consultants lead the contest process, coming up with the prompt, planning ideas for promoting it, and ultimately judging the entries.

We choose a new prompt each semester, typically one that feels resonant with the campus climate at the time. During the Fall semester, the contest opens in late October and the genre of writing varies. During the Spring, the contest happens around April and, in celebration of National Poetry Month, calls for poems. Entries are judged according to adherence to the prompt, a reflective writer's note, and the piece itself. First and second prizes are awarded, along with a staff choice prize, or, occasionally, an honorable mention. Winners receive prizes plus temporary publication on our website. Find the latest contest information, and browse past contest themes and winners. 

Follow us on Instagram (@HWCMiami), where we first announce our contests. Calls for submission will also be posted to this webpage. We hope to read your work as part of the next contest!

Finally, know that HWC consultants can support your creative writing in consultations. Simply find a consultant with a creative writing background on our staff page and schedule an appointment with them.

Announcing the Winners of the Spring 2023 Poetry Contest

Each spring semester, the Howe Writing Center hosts a poetry contest In honor of National Poetry Month (April). For 2023, the HWC worked with University Libraries to promote the theme of “Writing Back to the Past,” where students wrote special “golden shovel” poems inspired by works from the library archives.

Howe Writing Center consultants and staff chose four winners for the spring poetry contest:

• 1st Prize: Claire Hampton
• 2nd Prize: Adeline Roux
• 3rd Prize: Anna Boyer
• Staff Choice: Julia Quigley

Congratulations to all prize recipients! Be sure to read their work in our featured news article.