Exploring the Haiku Society of America (HSA): Awards, Publications, and Community

Established in 1968, the Haiku Society of America (HSA) stands as a cornerstone organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of haiku and related forms in English. As a non-profit entity, the HSA plays a vital role in fostering the growth of haiku through diverse activities, including meetings, readings, publications, and prestigious contests. With a membership exceeding 1000 individuals across the globe, the HSA serves as a central hub for poets and enthusiasts alike, welcoming all who share an interest in this succinct and evocative art form.

The influence of the Haiku Society of America is perhaps most visible through its annual awards and competitions, which recognize excellence across various categories within the haiku community. These contests not only celebrate accomplished poets but also encourage emerging voices, including students.

Annual Awards and Competitions

The HSA hosts several significant competitions each year, drawing submissions from poets worldwide and highlighting the vibrant state of English-language haiku.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Student Haiku Awards

Honoring the memory of Nicholas A. Virgilio, a prominent figure in American haiku, this competition specifically celebrates the talent of young poets. The awards provide a platform for students to showcase their observations, insights, and emotions through haiku and senryu. Judging is conducted by respected poets and editors within the HSA community.

Here are the winning haiku for 2025, showcasing fresh perspectives:

autumn leaves her last words heard in a voicemail

Phoebe Bain – Grade 12, Colorado Springs, CO

blood moon keys between my knuckles like my mother before me

Brynn Jensen – Grade 12, Colorado Springs, CO

grandma’s kitchen mooncake softens in my mouth

Frances McIlvoy – Grade 8, Atlanta, GA

autumn wind the scent of the bonfire on a borrowed hoodie

Evelyn Reynolds – Grade 8, Atlanta, GA

war victory the names of the dead misspelled

Tenzin Tinley – Grade 12, Colorado Springs, CO

empty hallway one shoe sideways after the argument

Connor Wong – Grade 12, Newport Coast, CA

These poignant examples demonstrate the power of concise language to capture complex moments and feelings, often exploring universal themes of life, memory, and observation. Discovering works that resonate on a personal level can be like finding your soulmate poem, offering a deep connection through shared human experience.

Student haiku contest banner featuring a collage of photos

The Haiku Society of America also publishes an anthology of award-winning student haiku and senryu, providing a lasting testament to the creativity of young poets and offering valuable learning resources for teachers and students interested in exploring this form.

HSA Haiku and Senryu Awards (General)

Beyond student work, the HSA recognizes excellence in general haiku and senryu submissions. The 2024 awards, judged by panels of esteemed poets, highlight notable achievements in these forms.

Haiku Awards 2024

• First Place:
  

  blue skies— finding the nowhere I’d rather be

  Matthew Markworth, OH, USA

• Second Place:
  

  first fireflies the little boy in my voice

  Frank Hooven, PA, USA

• Third Place:
  

  spring equinox a canoe flipped upside up

  Matthew Markworth, OH, USA

Senryu Awards 2024

• First Place:
  

  garden clean-up one invasive species roots out another

  Brad Bennett, MA, USA

• Second Place:
  

  water park grand opening a toddler finds the puddle

  Matthew Markworth, OH, USA

• Third Place:
  

  “on your left” the Progressive Bike Club out for a ride

  David Green, IL, US

These winning pieces showcase the characteristic focus of haiku on natural imagery and seasonal moments, and senryu’s often humorous or insightful take on human nature and social interaction. They represent some of the greatest poems ever written in these concise forms.

HSA Haibun Awards

Recognizing the increasing popularity and artistic merit of haibun (a prose poem often concluding with a haiku or senryu), the Haiku Society of America also hosts an annual award for this hybrid form. The 2024 awards celebrated compelling narratives interwoven with sharp poetic images.

Haibun Awards 2024

• First Place: “heartwood” by Dylan Stover, OH, USA
• Second Place: “What I’m Doing on My Summer Vacation” by Dian Duchin Reed, CA, USA
• Third Place: “True Places Never Are” by J Hahn Doleman, CA, USA

These awarded haibun demonstrate the form’s ability to blend descriptive or reflective prose with the concentrated power of haiku, creating layered meaning.

HSA Merit Books Awards

The Haiku Society of America also acknowledges excellence in published works through its Merit Books Awards. These awards recognize outstanding books of haiku, senryu, haibun, and related prose published in the preceding year.

Haiku Book Awards 2024 (for books published in 2023)

• First Place: How the Wind Sighs by Beverly Acuff Momoi
• Second Place: Island by Kristen Lindquist
• Third Place: Crows at Dusk by James Roderick Burns

Honorable Mentions included works by Annie Bachini & Helen Buckingham, Carolyn Hall, and Jeff Hoagland.

Haiku Anthology Awards 2024 (for books published in 2023)

• Best: Bird Whistle: A Contemporary Anthology of Bird Haiku, Senryu, & Short Poems, edited by Stanford M. Forrester and Johnette Downing

Haibun Book Awards 2024 (for books published in 2023)

• Best: Eira by Lew Watts

Prose Book Awards 2024 (for books published in 2023)

• Best: Haibun: A Writer’s Guide by Roberta Beary, Lew Watts, and Rich Youmans

Special Commendations were also given for Book Design & Aesthetics, Linked Verse, and Translations. These awards underscore the depth and breadth of contemporary English-language haiku publishing.

Publications: Frogpond and More

Integral to the mission of the Haiku Society of America is its role as a publisher, disseminating high-quality haiku and critical writing about the form.

Frogpond Journal

The flagship publication of the HSA is Frogpond, a highly respected journal featuring contemporary haiku, senryu, haibun, and articles related to the art form. Publishing multiple issues annually, Frogpond serves as a significant venue for poets to share their work and for readers to engage with the current state of haiku. Submissions are open during specified periods.

Cover of Frogpond journal, issue 49.1, 2025

The Haiku Society of America is also committed to preserving the history of Frogpond, offering an extensive online archive of past issues, dating back many years, providing a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts.

HSA Members’ Anthology

Each year, the Haiku Society of America publishes an anthology showcasing the work of its members. This publication is a direct benefit of membership and provides a snapshot of the diverse voices within the HSA community.

Cover of the 2024 Haiku Society of America Members' Anthology, featuring a bird design

Submissions for the members’ anthology are typically open for a defined period each spring, exclusively for current HSA members.

HSA Newsletter

Supplementing the journal and anthology, the Haiku Society of America also publishes a newsletter to keep members informed about organizational news, regional activities, submission calls, and other relevant updates within the haiku community. Submission guidelines for the newsletter are available on the HSA website.

Events and Gatherings

The Haiku Society of America fosters community through a variety of events, both in-person and online. These gatherings provide opportunities for members and the public to connect, share poetry, learn about the craft, and celebrate the art form.

Events range from regional meetings and workshops hosted by HSA’s regional coordinators to larger national and international conferences and festivals featuring haiku. The HSA website often lists upcoming events hosted by HSA regions and other allied haiku organizations worldwide. These might include workshops on writing haiku or haibun, readings, ginkgo (haiku walks), and online presentations.

Recent events highlighted by the HSA have included presentations on “Art & Haiku” for International Haiku Day and various workshops focusing on specific aspects of haiku writing or related forms like rengay (collaborative linked verse), which the HSA also supports through an annual award. Exploring the intersection of poetry and other forms of expression can sometimes lead to reflecting on the power of poems that make you think deeply about the world.

Joining the Haiku Society of America

Membership in the Haiku Society of America is open to everyone interested in reading, writing, or supporting haiku. Membership dues are the primary source of funding for the organization’s activities, including publications, contests, and events. Becoming a member not only supports the HSA’s mission but also offers benefits such as receiving the Frogpond journal and the annual members’ anthology.

Supporting organizations like the HSA is a way to nurture the literary arts and connect with a passionate community. For those who find solace or inspiration in verses about profound human connections, exploring themes like true love soulmate poems can be a deeply rewarding aspect of engaging with poetry communities.

Member Memorials

The Haiku Society of America also maintains a section dedicated to member memorials, honoring the contributions and memories of members who have passed away. This serves as a tribute to individuals who have enriched the HSA community and the broader world of haiku.

Conclusion

The Haiku Society of America stands as a vibrant and essential force in the world of English-language haiku. Through its dedication to hosting awards, publishing key journals and anthologies, facilitating events, and fostering a strong community, the HSA provides invaluable resources and opportunities for poets and readers alike. Whether you are a seasoned poet, a curious student, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of concise verse, engaging with the Haiku Society of America offers a pathway to deeper understanding and connection within the rich tradition of haiku. Consider supporting their work through membership or donations to help ensure the continued blooming of words in this unique poetic form.