Diane Lockward's Blog, page 50

Lucky Winners of Free Poetry Books

The Poetry Book Giveaway officially ended at midnight last night. With more than 50 poetry blogs participating, each giving away two free poetry books and each having in the area of 50 entrants, it's been quite a lively venture. Thanks to Kelli Russell Agodon for dreaming it up. Now I hope that all the winners will read and love their books. If they do, then I hope they'll spread the word by recommending the books to other poetry lovers. Maybe even purchase a copy to give as a gift.

To select ...

Countdown to Publication: The Cover Story

Before my first book, Eve's Red Dress, came out in 2003, I admired the cover art on the book of another poet I knew. When I attended the book party for that poet, I met Brian Rumbolo, the artist, and asked if he'd be interested in doing my cover art if my publisher agreed. He said Yes and my publisher agreed. I loved the cover that resulted. So when the manuscript for What Feeds Us, my second book, was together, I asked my publisher if we could again use the same artist. Again, he agreed. Aga...

Countdown to Publication: My Cover Unveiled

Ta Da! Drum roll, please. I'm pulling the veil off the cover of my soon-to-be-released book. I hope you love it as much as I do. Story behind the cover will follow soon. For now just the cover. Look, but don't touch!

Print Journals That Accept Online Submissions

Here is an updated list of print journals that accept online submissions. Note that some guidelines specify that the journal does not accept email submissions, but does accept via their online submission manager.

Six journals have been added to this update. Each addition is indicated by a double asterisk.

Note that the number of issues per year appears after the journal's name. The reading period for each journal appears at the end of each entry.

Unless noted otherwise, the journal a...

I Put an End to This Goofing Off

I've fallen way behind on my New Year's Writing resolution to be more productive, to show up at the desk more often. True, I've been busy with other things, but the itch to get the pen moving is coming back. I feel that in a physical way, a restlessness, a little tingly thing going on inside.

So no more excuses. I'm done with all my school visits. My new book is in the publisher's hands, though I'll still need to proof the galleys. The snow is finally gone and the flowers are coming up. Time t...

Poets in Bloom

I spent every day this week with third graders. Need I say that I'm really really tired? Third graders are adorable, so open to trying new things, so full of imagination. They write amazing poems. But oh my, the energy level. Forget about sitting down. I was on my feet the whole time for each of four one-hour sessions all five days. Three cheers for third grade teachers! Fortunately, this school is one town over so my drive was fast and easy. And I now know my way around the school as this wa...

Praise for a Teacher

Two weeks ago I spent time at Chatham High School as the visiting poet for Mrs. Lori Roper's English classes. On both Monday and Friday I spent one hour with a group of seniors and then one hour with a group of freshmen. We talked a bit about poetry. Then I took the kids through two different writing activities. They were such terrific groups! They read their poems, and I was very impressed. But no surprise, really, as that's what happens when a teacher brings poets and poetry into her classe...

The Poet on the Poem: Ed Byrne

You may already know Ed Byrne as the editor of Valparaiso Poetry Review, one of our better online journals. You may also know Ed through his blog, One Poet's Notes. You may already also know him as a poet. If not, here's a chance to fill in that gap. It is a particular pleasure to put the spotlight on a poet who, in his other capacities, so often puts the spotlight on other poets.


Edward Byrne is the author of six collections of poetry, most recently Seeded Light (Turning Point Books, 2010). H...

Poetry Book Giveaway

Anyone in the mood today for a stuffed artichoke? My poem, "The First Artichoke," is featured at Lisa Morgan's food blog, Champaign Taste. If you like food, be sure to visit and visit often. Lisa posts exquisite photos of fantastic dishes and offers lots of mouth-watering recipes. She's also a poetry lover, so often posts some tasty poems. I am honored that she is serving up mine.

In other tasty business, Kelli Russell Agodon has initiated the Poetry Book Giveaway to celebrate National Poetry ...

What Makes for a Good Poetry Reading?

For the second year in a row, I'm working with a group of college students who are organizing a poetry reading for me. They are all taking a poetry course and have been given the option of doing a traditional research paper or working with a poet on some kind of project. Which would you choose?

I have 7 students this year. At our first meeting I went over some of what I think are the characteristics of a good reading. That's a topic I've given a good deal of thought to in the hope of optimizin...