proVERSE POETRY PRIZE 

The proVERSE poetry prize is open to submissions through September 15th @ 11:59PM EST. Submit NOW!

The proVERSE poetry prize, hosted in collaboration with Homeland Stories, is awarded annually to three students attending Title 1 schools in the New Jersey Area. Winners will be awarded $100. All finalists will be invited to attend an in person poetry reading ceremony & workshop with our guest judges.

We encourage all students, regardless of race, gender, and age to submit their works.

Frequently Asked Questions


What constitutes a good poem?

There really is no textbook definition of a good poem. Any poem that makes us feel, think, and dream are poems that we get all excited to read here at proVERSE.

Can I submit previously published works?

Yes! Feel free to submit works that have already been recognized by other organizations & prizes, but please make that information clear in your cover letter.

What should I include in my cover letter?

The short answer is basically… anything. And the longer answer is anything that pertains to who you are as a writer. Your cover letter should be a short bio written in third person that best constitutes you & your achievements as a writer. Keep in mind, however, that all pieces are judged blindly, so your cover letter shouldn’t play a role in the piece’s reception.

Who are this year’s judges?

It’s currently TBD… but we will let you know when we know!

How many poems can I submit?

You can submit up to five poems (maximum of 10 pages single-spaced). Remember that at ProVERSE, it’s always quality over quantity.