Do you love the concise beauty of haiku? Do you find joy in capturing a fleeting moment in just seventeen syllables? Then enter the Society of Classical Poets’ annual haiku contest for a chance to win $100 and have your work recognized!
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This international contest welcomes poets of all ages and backgrounds to submit their best haiku. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your poetic voice and celebrate the art of haiku.
How to Enter the Haiku Contest
Submitting your haiku is easy. Simply post your entries in the comments section below this article. The deadline for submissions is September 16, 2023, at 6 pm EST. Winners will be announced on September 29, 2023, coinciding with Tsukimi, the Japanese Moon Festival.
Haiku Guidelines and Requirements
Each participant can submit up to three original haiku. Adhering to the traditional 5-7-5 syllable structure is essential. For a comprehensive guide to crafting effective haiku, including traditional elements beyond syllable count, we recommend reviewing this helpful resource: What Makes a Good Haiku?.
Please ensure your haiku are original works composed after July 2022. When submitting, use your full name to avoid confusion. Remember, using the comments section as a drafting space is discouraged. Polish your haiku before submitting. You may revise or withdraw entries by posting another comment before the deadline.
Judging and Prizes
The esteemed judges for this year’s contest are:
- J. Thomas Rimer: Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature, Theatre, and Art at the University of Pittsburgh and former chief of the Asian Division of the Library of Congress.
- Margaret Coats: Ph.D. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University; retired educator with extensive experience in literature, languages, and writing.
The winning poet will receive a $100 prize. Non-U.S. residents will need a PayPal account or a bank that accepts U.S. checks to receive the prize money.
Past Haiku Contest Winners
Explore the winning haiku from previous years for inspiration:
- 2022 Haiku Winners
- 2021 Haiku Winners
- 2020 Haiku Winners
We encourage you to participate in this celebration of haiku. Share your unique perspective and contribute to the rich tradition of this poetic form. Good luck!