Poetry Pop Shop: A Davon Ansley Poetry Collection

On Poetry Pop, you will periodically get posts titled Poetry Pop Shop, where I introduce some writer-ly or reader-ly items I think you might enjoy. Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Living…, a beautiful book of free-verse poetry by Davon Ansley.

Continue reading

Official Poetry Pop Journals Now Available!

I am pleased to announce that we now have an official Poetry Pop Journal! Available in paperback and hardcover and two colors and finishes, it’s the perfect way to add a pop of poetry to your day! Record notes from the blog and keep your poetry tucked safely inside.

Continue reading

Writing Down the Bones Deck #51 (Plus Death Poems)

The book Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg has been relished by writers in their practice for over 30 years. The author also created a deck of 60 cards, each with new topics on one side and a short lesson on the reverse.

Continue reading

Best Holiday Gifts for Poets: Poetry Pop Shop

There are just 35 days until Christmas but you still plenty of time to shop online for the poet, reader, and writer in your life. I’ve gathered a handful of my favorite gift ideas that are sure to bring joy to the creative soul at Christmas time or any time.

Continue reading

Celebrate National Poetry Month with “H Is For Haiku” (with lesson plan)

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to H is For Haiku, a beautiful book on Haiku written by the late Sydell Rosenberg (1929-1996) published by Penny Candy Books. Syd was a charter member of the Haiku Society of America in 1968. She wrote and published her work over a literary career spanning roughly three decades. On this, the first day of National Poetry Month, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate! (And for dessert, we’ll be enjoying a mother-daughter haiku collaboration in a special book below by Syd and her daughter, Amy Losak.

Continue reading

Poetry Pop Shop: Writing Down the Bones Deck

On Poetry Pop, you will periodically get posts titled, Poetry Pop Shop, where I introduce some fun writerly or readerly items I think you might enjoy.

The book, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg has been relished by writers in their practice for over 30 years. I recently came across a twist on the book—this deck of 60 cards, each with all new topics on one side and a short lesson on the reverse. Ms. Goldberg writes, “This is my wish for you: that you take these cards, grab the topic on one side and write, write, write . . . Remember no good or bad. Just words on the page.”

Continue reading

Paint Chip Poetry: Colorful Wordplay

For the last decade I’ve attended an annual writer’s retreat by the ocean in Northern California where I gather with friends for inspiration, laughs, and writing. Each year, a friend, author, and artist I admire hosts a Paint Chip Poetry session. We dig into a pile of paint chips (you know those paper strips of paint colors from the hardware store) and write a poem in ten minutes based on a given prompt and the names of the chosen colors (unseen until timer starts).

Continue reading

Poetry Pop Shop: The Crafty Poet

On Poetry Pop, you will periodically get posts titled, Poetry Pop Shop, where I introduce some fun writerly or readerly gadgets I think you might enjoy. Today, I want to share one of my favorite books on the craft with you. The Crafty Poet: A Portable Workshop by Diane Lockward is my go-to book when I need a little inspiration or poetry exercise.

Continue reading