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And get into the mood of summer (winter for you crazy folks down under). This marathon of nature poetry has started, and I expect to see all 60+ of you at the finishing line.

Awesome prizes

*HaikuKitty pledges a three month sub.

=rlkirkland has pledged three one-month subs.

Awesome stamps:

by =bekkia
by `Memnalar.
by =MidnightWatcher12
by `RetroZombie and `jade-pandora





1. Say you'd like to participate, and I'll add you to the list of participants.

2. Submit a deviation on July 1st containing a haiku. Preferably title it "Summer haikuthon 09" or something that relates to the event.

3. Write one haiku a day and add it to the deviation you submitted (via the edit deviation function).




Three objectives I want you guys to achieve via the July Summer Haikuthon are:

Expand your understanding of haiku
Mingle with your fellow poets, especially if you're new to the scene
Have fun!

The great thing about Haikuwrimos/thons is the community aspect of it. The veterans will awe and inspire the new kids to write better haiku, everyone will be commenting on each other's work, some even go as far featuring & encouraging critique on others work. In short, the haikuthon inspires awesome. That's why there'll be prizes!




The subs will go to go to those really cool cats. They may not necessarily have written the most Basho-flooring haiku, but maybe were the most improved, or offered the best critique...heck, maybe they were the person who gave everyone around them support and were generally awesome.

At the end of the haikuthon, you participants will vote for that cool cat. My opinion will also weigh in to this decision, so it doesn't just become a popularity contest.

In addition to the subscription throughout and at the end of the haikuthon, there'll be features, tutorials, prompts and stuff. Even though there's already a subby pledged by *HaikuKitty, feel free to offer more prizes, like journal/news features, stamps, or dedication poems & illustrations. Anything goes.




























Some additional FAQs:

Q: Why collect everything in one deviation?
A: That way it'll be convenient for others to find and keep track of your progress (they can fav your deviation and keep checking in on it every few days). If they watch you, just mark that the update as 'not minor' and it should appear in their inbox.

Q: Anything else to do then write haiku:
A: In addition to submitting your haiku, you're recommended to comment and critique on your fellow participant's collection. It's an unwritten rule that you at least respond tit-for-tat to comments. As there's a prize for being most helpful, actively commenting on others' work is recommended.

Q: How do I get noticed?
A: For maximum results, have a journal up saying your joining the Haikuthon or use THIS STAMP so others going to your page will know you're a participant. Having your piece prominently displayed on your front-page helps too (make it your featured deviation).
Also watching other participants makes it easier to follow their work. They'll watch you back to keep track of your work too. Same concept with fav/collecting other's work.

Q: I've never done haiku, can I join?
A: It's a pretty casual event, open to anyone interested, whether you're a first timer or frequently write in this form. There's also a list of resources below you can read though to get a better idea of the form.

Q: Can I write non-haiku?

A: "Haikuthon" is just a catchy name, you're actually allowed to use the related fixed japanese poetry forms, like senryu or tanka. Just don't give me sonnets.


Some resources for beginners/ a refresher course for you old foggies:

On DA resources:

<a href="http://wudang-mountain.deviantart.com/art/A-word-about-haiku-MS-James-53860706">A word about haiku - by Michael James (~Wudang-mountain)
An essay reasons why or why not one should use 5-7-5 rule

Haiku Theory Part 1 by ~SOLARTS
Another essay that describes techniques anyone interested in haiku should learn.

Poetry Discussion 1: Haiku Form by `Laurence55
A journal about what defines a haiku beyond its syllable count.

Reading symbols by =Iscariot-Priest
A journal that talks about season symbols, another component of the traditional haiku.

Yet more resources are available at `lovetodeviate's Resources Journal.


Off DA resources:

Two essays by Edward A. Weiss, publisher of Wisteria Press
i. Haiku Form - What It is and How It's Changed
ii. Haiku Examples and the 5-7-5 Syllable Rule

Forms in English Haiku, by the late haiku-poetess, Keiko Imaoka.
A Judge Reports by New Zealand haiku-poet, Ernest J Berry
Mr Ernest goes into what he looks for when judging haiku.




The mighty *Esin stands tall over a heap of her vanquished foes with this entry:


Other winners here.



February 2009 Haiku-Wrimo by `Laurence55

haikuwrimo - February 2009 by *Bogbrush

HaikuWriMo 2009, Feb 1-28 by `jade-pandora

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