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

Every spring semester, the Howe Writing Center hosts a 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. 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 provided by �������� 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 or at .

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.