4 Fiercely Heartfelt Poems for Celebrating Your Chosen Family
A term popularized among the queer community, “chosen families” are nonbiological bonds that exude support, pride, and love. For LGBTQ people—who may have complicated family relationships or face prejudice from their family—the concept of chosen families can represent a way
Feeling Down? Write an Ode to Recalibrate and Remember What You Love
Has your heart felt heavy lately? Have you been left feeling down and discouraged with no idea how to write your way through what you’re experiencing? Writing an ode can be a great way to begin navigating complex emotional terrain.
10 Books to Look Forward to in 2021
A new year is a perfect excuse for a bookshelf refresh, and 2021 is serving up a whole slew of hot new collections to look forward to. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got the skinny on some
5 February Poetry Contests to Enter
Submitting your work can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. However, putting your words out there provides an opportunity to hone your revision process, familiarize yourself with the publishing industry, and—above all—grow your poetry career. Whether you have a few polished, unpublished
Inaugural Poets: Their Role and Relevance Throughout History
Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old Black poet and Harvard University alumna, has made history by becoming the youngest inaugural poet, selected by President Joe Biden. Gorman has read for university events, holidays, and the Boston Pop Orchestra, making the inauguration the
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day
As the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated across the U.S. on the third Monday in January each year. He envisioned a world in which people were not judged by
Anthologizing Equality: 5 Feminist Anthologies to Add to Your Shelf
For many readers and writers, anthologies are a reminder of the literary canon. The word can conjure images of thick, traditional textbooks—the ones filled with poems by dead, white men. While literary history is important, the movement to include new voices,
4 Tips When Photographing your Poetry Collection
Sharing your writing in a post online is a wonderful way to spotlight your poems—but taking photographs of your poetry collection or typed poem is another great option to create engaging and beautiful content. Don’t have a poetry book yet?
3 New Moon Poems to Bring You Hope, Renewal, and Inspiration
The moon affects our planet: It forces our tides to swell and fall on our shores; it moderates the wobble of the Earth’s axis; it stabilizes our climate; and it guides the hatchling of sea turtles. If you consider the
6 Smart Steps For Writing a Query Letter
Query letters can be an important step in finding an agent or reaching out to a small press. Simply put, the succinct and formal query letter (typically a single page) has one key purpose: enticing an agent or publisher to
Renewing Writing Prompts for January
It’s the start of a new year, which, for many of us, symbolizes a new beginning. If you’re ready for a fresh start in your poetry practice, we’ve selected eight renewing writing prompts for January. So sit back and let
8 January Poetry Releases to Refresh Your Bookshelf
Have you blown through your 2020 reading list? Don’t sweat it. The new year is the perfect excuse to refresh your bookshelf. This month, there’s no shortage of great books to add to your collection. If you’re looking for some