Category: Self-taught MFA

Reflections on poetry & honesty – guest blog post by David Crews

Years ago while working on my MFA at Drew University, my mentor Ross Gay cautioned me of something he referred to as "poetic gesture." He wanted to warn me of moments when I was trying to make a poem sound like a poem. If you are trying to […]

Shelter in Poetry + Webinar (pay-what-you’re-able) – guest blog post by Sarah Ann Winn

I was fortunate to be teaching two classes online just as we as a nation started seeing the impact and the terrible potential of Covid-19 — one class called “Writing Winter Poems with Mary Oliver” and the other called “Hygge Poems: Writing the Cold Away with the Cozy […]

National Poetry Month Celebrations Go Online by Devi Lockwood via The New York Times

This great list of National Poetry Month online open mics and readings curated by Devi Lockwood includes a list of online open mics, readings, classes, workshops, and prompts. I’m specifically watching for the next Self-ish open mic, and you can imagine why :). Also on the list, one […]

Sheltering-In: Poems And Poetry Resources via Northampton Arts Council

This great list of National Poetry Month resources curated by Northampton Poet Laureate Karen Skolfield for sheltering in, includes 12 categories with lists and links of sites I often frequent myself as well as many others with online readings, online workshops, podcasts & audio, writing tips, prompts, etc. […]

Publication Doesn't Define Your Worth As a Poet – guest blog post by Rachel Lewis Curry

Every few seasons, I find myself pressed to scroll through the bindings of journals whose covers I shut long ago. These journals are full of poetry from various eras. A time when I first got the hang of compiling sentences together. A period during which I shifted from […]

Publication Doesn’t Define Your Worth As a Poet – guest blog post by Rachel Lewis Curry

Every few seasons, I find myself pressed to scroll through the bindings of journals whose covers I shut long ago. These journals are full of poetry from various eras. A time when I first got the hang of compiling sentences together. A period during which I shifted from […]

A Little Inspiration: New Series of Guides for Poets & Writers – guest blog post by Cendrine Marrouat & David Ellis

How do you go about discovering your own writing voice or writing style as a poet? Where do you get your inspiration from as a writer? Are you aware of the kind of audience that would be keen to read your poetry? What can you do to help […]

Daily Word Prompts – guest blog post by Julie Paul

I received an amaryllis bulb from my mother for Christmas last year, which was unlike others I'd received or bought before. This one came encased in shiny red wax, stuck upon a metal stand, and required no planting, no soil, no water--all I had to do was put […]

Prompt #349 - Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic via Adele Kenny

Adele Kenny has a wonderfully inspiring poetry blog The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog chock full of over 300 writing prompts, including her most recent post entitled Prompt #349 - Writing in Stressful Times: The Covid-19 Pandemic. She gives helpful commentary, quotes, resources, and several writing […]

Social/Distance Online Writing Retreat with Amanda Moore, daily starting Mar. 16

Below is the information from Amanda Moore for her online writing retreat with craft tips, readings to inspire, submission suggestions and more! Poetry readings, book launches, and events have been called off to flatten the curve of COVID-19; sporting events have been cancelled or postponed, Broadway is closed, […]

Trish Hopkinson