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Welcome to
The Nick Virgilio Haiku Association and Writers House
A local/global space for poets — inspiring writers, strengthening community.
The Nick Virgilio Haiku Association, with 20+ years of experience, operates the Writers House in Waterfront South. NVHA is a non-profit poetry organization that celebrates poetry and its impact on communities. Based in Camden, NJ, we offer workshops, readings, school classes and writing sessions for all ages, fostering creativity and education while honoring Nick Virgilio’s haiku legacy and inspiring centered lives through the art of poetry.
Who we work with
INSPIRE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Help Us Create Change Today
Join Our Next Event
Discover the art of haiku poetry at our upcoming events. Connect with poets, share your work, and be inspired.
Donate To Support
Support the poetry community with your donation. Help us foster creativity, host more events, nurture future poets and reach underserved youth.
About Our Work
Learn about the ways we use poetry for healing, building community, building mindful presence and addressing trauma. We provide a platform for poets to connect, learn and thrive together.
POETRY MATTERS
Welcome To The Nick Virgilio Writers House
We offer literary programs and events that are free to the public including:
- Poetry education and enrichment programs
- International youth haiku contests
- Open mic events featuring local talent (with free refreshments!)
- Meditational haiku walks (ginko walks)
- Online workshops led by renowned poets
- An online haiku publication called Haiku in Action, which accepts free submissions and is free to read.
Explore our Haiku Bookstore for Unique Poetry Publications And Inspiring Books for Sale
Stay in Touch With Us
Sign up for our events and poetry newsletter
Discover our Camden poetry programs for schools, communities, businesses and organizations. Get our news or a personalized quote about bringing creative writing, haiku workshops, team building events and engaging poetry sessions to your party, event or audience. Subscribe here:
Stay In Touch With Us
Sign up for our events and poetry newsletter
E-newsletter and Discover our Camden poetry programs for schools, communities, businesses and organizations! Get our news or ‘request a personalized quote to bring our creative writing and haiku workshops, engaging poetry sessions and team building programs to your party, event or audience’. Subscribe here:
SUPPORT US
Support Teaching in Camden Schools
When you support the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association, you make a significant impact on the community and especially for diverse audiences who have limited if any access to the arts. You bring poetry into Camden’s public private and parochial schools, nurturing mindful presence and creativity. You provide weekend and evening safe community spaces for writing and connecting, and support local poets and teachers. you make workshops, open mics and ginko walks more accessible. Our latest initiatives use trauma-informed methods gto bring poetry for self-expression and healing to underserved youth.
You’re not just supporting a cause; you’re investing in the power of poetry to inspire, heal, and unite. Every gift, big or small, plays a crucial role.
Annual Youth Contest for Grades 7-12
Nicholas A Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Memorial Contest
Sponsored by the Haiku Society of America
The 2025 contest will open for entries in January, 2025. (have to find the content from past years to go here)
(December version)
Time to enter the 36th Annual Nicholas Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Competition for Grades 7-12. Each of six winners selected in a blind judging will receive a $250 scholarship prize. Here are some resources about writing a winning haiku.
Deadline: All poems must be received by Sunday, March 30, 2025. Entries received after that date will not be accepted.
Eligibility: Any student in grades 7 through 12 enrolled in school as of September 2024 may enter.
Regulations: Submit up to three haiku/senryu per student.
For full details: check the Haiku Society of America website.
The 2025 contest will open for entries in January, 2025. (have to find the content from past years to go here)
(December version)
The 2025 contest is now accepting entries. For complete rules, please visit the Haiku Society of America website (insert link) The deadline to enter this year is (xxxx) Please visit our YouTube channel workshops to learn more about modern American haiku and increase your skills (will find last year’s content to put here too)
(January version)
The Haiku Society of America has announced the winners of the 2025 contest. The winning poems and poets are (list of 6 winning poems and their authors – and judges’ comments)
(May version)
Annual Youth Contest for Grades 7-12
Nicholas A Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Memorial Contest
Sponsored by the Haiku Society of America
The 2025 contest will open for entries in January, 2025. (have to find the content from past years to go here)
(December version)
Thank you for your entries in the 36th Annual Nicholas Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Competition for Grades 7-12. The entry period is now officially closed. Submissions are under review and each of six winners selected in the blind judging will receive a $250 scholarship prize.
We expect to announce the winners early in May. Stay tuned!
The 2025 contest will open for entries in January, 2025. (have to find the content from past years to go here)
(December version)
The 2025 contest is now accepting entries. For complete rules, please visit the Haiku Society of America website (insert link) The deadline to enter this year is (xxxx) Please visit our YouTube channel workshops to learn more about modern American haiku and increase your skills (will find last year’s content to put here too)
(January version)
The Haiku Society of America has announced the winners of the 2025 contest. The winning poems and poets are (list of 6 winning poems and their authors – and judges’ comments)
(May version)
We have winners!
Here are the six winners of this year’s Nicholas A Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Memorial Contest sponsored by Haiku Society of America.
Haiku Society of America Nick Virgilio Haiku and Senryu Annual Youth Contest
The judges for the 2025 competition were Eavonka Ettinger and John Pappas.
See the web page of comments from the judges
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
POETRY READINGS
Camden Poetry Events: Join Us
Immerse yourself in Camden’s vibrant poetry scene with our engaging events. Attend our local poetry gatherings and open mic readings, where poets of all levels share their work in a supportive community. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with fellow poetry fans. Don’t miss our annual Nick Virgilio Memorial Celebration, honoring the legacy of haiku and its impact on the literary world.
This Camden cultural space at 1801 Broadway (Broadway and Ferry) is part of Nick’s endurng legacy where we bring together poets, supporters, and friends for inspiring events and program. Join us to experience the power of poetry and be part of a meaningful cultural tradition.
TESTIMONIALS
What Kids Say About Writing Haiku with Us
Hear from those who’ve been touched by our work. Our testimonials showcase the transformative power of haiku and poetry, reflecting the positive impact we’ve had on poets, students, and the community.
Haiku in Action is the NVHA online poetry journal, publishing haiku and senryu every week. Poems based on our weekly prompts have a better chance of being accepted. [Learn more about Haiku in Action and writing modern American haiku here] We accept submissions on a rolling basis. We do not send rejections. If your work is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email and your piece will be published on social media the next day and on our site below.
A look at our recent Instagram feed
BLOG
Blogs & Articles
Top Haiku Themes For Beginners
Starting a haiku writing journey is like opening a window to the subtle beauty of the world. Haiku’s straightforward structure—three lines with (or without) a 5-7-5 syllable pattern—offers novices a...
Haiku Lesson Plans For Teachers
As teachers, we are always looking for new and creative ways to inspire our students’ creativity and critical thinking, and support attentiveness in this age of distraction. Poetry is an...