The Victor Howes Prize in Poetry

The New England Poetry Club is pleased to announce the inauguration of the Victor Howes Prize in Poetry. This poetry contest is open to undergraduate English majors currently enrolled in a New England college.

Victor Howes was a poet, English professor, and longtime Board Member of the New England Poetry Club. He passed away in January 2018. He was a beloved teacher and advocate of poets and poetry. This prize, funded with a generous donation from his estate, honors and builds on his legacy.

Thanks to the generosity of his estate, the Victor Howes Prize in Poetry comes with a $1,000 award. The winning poet will also be invited to read at the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters.

Eligibility: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college or university (2-year or 4-year)

Prize: $1,000 and an invitation to read at the Student Awards Reading at the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in June 2019.

Submission Period: January 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019

To enter, please send the following:

  • Three poems (up to 10 pages total)
  • A brief statement about your relationship to poetry (under 300 words)
  • A cover sheet with the following information:
    • Your name and how to contact you (email, phone, address)
    • Names of the submitted poem(s)
    • The name of your college or university
    • The name and contact information of the chair of your English Department

Please mail your submission to:

Mary Buchinger, NEPC President
53 Regent Street
Cambridge, MA 02140

Please feel free to distribute the poster below to your students, friends, family, and anyone else who may be interested in this poetry contest.

Poetry contest details for the Victor Howes Prize in Poetry