I received a copy of Itinerary by the late Reginald Shepherd, compliments of John Gallaher. It is not often that I read through an entire work of a poet, even a small one, and marvel. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of reading certain Reginald Shepherd poems and I’ve enjoyed them, though I’ve never…
Category Archives: Poetry Reviews
Review Of Rattle Conversations By Alan Fox
If you thought this post was going to be a review of a book of poems, well sorry to disappoint you. Rattle Conversations is actually a book of interviews with poets. But you won’t read the review here either. This is the introduction. I’ll let you know where to find the review in just a…
New Poetry Reviews, Including Ted Kooser’s Home Repair Kit
I’d love to write on the urgent topic, 21st century epic narratives, which I’ve been planning for a few days now, but it’s going on pretty late and I’ve still got to put Hyperbole together. I’ll have to put the epic narratives off for another day or two. It will be a detailed topic and…
A Few Poetry Links You’ll Like
Here’s a good review. And it makes me want to read the book. Introduction to sci-fi poetry. The Wergle Flomp winner. PoemTalk (John Ashbery)
More Poetry Rules, Critical Dichotomies, And Your Own Style
How to develop your own poetic style. Who’s your favorite virgin? Deborah Ager’s unwritten poetry rules. I like Nos. 1 & 2, and have always obeyed No. 2. Diane Lockward’s. I like 7, 11, and 12, but I think No. 4 is quickly becoming overdone. Poetry Hound’s poetry review tips. The Shepherd on the poetry…
11 Mistakes Poets Make When Seeking Book Reviews
We all seek praise for our work, but sometimes praise is too much to ask for. When seeking book reviews it is important to be gracious and courteous while presenting your book in the best possible light without being pushy. Here are several mistakes poets make while seeking book reviews and how to remedy them:…
My Book Review Reading List
Thanks to Diane Lockward for her list of poetry journals that read submissions during the summer. It’s a three-part list here, here, and here. The newest member of the World Class Poetry Toolbar family is Mannequin Envy. Books waiting in the cue for my review: Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue Watch The Watering Can Graffiti…
Two New Book Reviews
One of the lessons in publishing is in choosing the right cover for your book. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but who doesn’t? In fact, a cover says a lot about what one might expect once you’ve climbed inside to delve into a book’s contents. I recently finished…
Ezra Pound On Happy Pills
William Logan is at it again. This time, a review of Frank O’Hara. The funniest line in the whole review: The selection is not perfect; Ford has included a grindingly self-conscious play as well as two long poems almost unreadable now, full of campy nonsense like “whoops-musicale (sei tu m’ami) ahhahahahaha / loppy di looploop”…
Mixed Reviews Are Hard To Write
I just posted my review of Brian Turner’s Here, Bullet. It was the most difficult review I’ve had to write so far. My initial reaction, some readers will know, was quite negative. But I’m afraid it was overly harsh. There are a lot of complexities in his verses that my initial reaction didn’t pick up…
