The Poetry Lab Podcast

Guess what, poet? You need a mailing list! Get your name and work out there because there are readers (and friends and family members) who are genuinely interested in what you're up to. In this episode, Danielle explains why an email list is valuable and shares some best practices for building and engaging with a mailing list. For inspiration, sign up for The Poetry Lab's weekly newsletter , where...

In Episode 13, we accompany Jess on a romp through a Nobel prize-winning poet's birth chart. Wislawa Szymborska was described as surprisingly not narcissistic (for a poet) and pleasantly pessimistic by people who knew her. Adventure to the stars with us, as we dive deeper into our understanding of planets in astrology and listen to some of Jess' favorite lines from Szymborska's collection View wit...

We've heard it before: to be a good writer you have to have endured some trauma, sprinkled with a dash of isolation, topped with several hardships to draw out the muses. In this episode, Danielle offers a chance for creatives to reconsider what's necessary and what's often misunderstood about living a creative life. She emphasizes that being a writer is not defined by accolades or credentials, but...

It's spooky season! Say hello to your new source of inspiration: ghosts! Marilyn explores the use of ghosts in literature, focusing on their versatility and significance in different genres. She teaches you how to create a ghost with intention, regardless of whether they are physical or psychological manifestations, and she reminds you that the spookiest ghosts may be where you least expect them....

In this episode, we explain the poet's ABCs (Always Be Collecting ) as we explore how to use word lists and word banks to activate your creative writing. Word lists are collections of words that inspire and prompt you. They serve as containers for creative ideas and aid in brainstorming, theme development, and revision. Join host Jessica June Cato as she walks us through how to create word banks u...

You have poems in the works, your artistic engines are firing, and you're ready to take your work to the publication phase — what do you do? In this episode, host Lori Walker explores the importance of organizing your creative career, particularly for poets aiming to publish their work. She emphasizes the value of treating poetry as a profession, offering practical tips and strategies to help poet...

Do you ever struggle with deciding what to read? Do you ever feel like there are too many books you haven't read yet and you just don't know where to begin? In this episode of The Poetry Lab podcast, Danielle breaks down a simple, but well-rounded strategy for creating a reading list for yourself just like you'd find in a graduate-level creative writing course. But better than the school version,...

In episode 7 we dip our poetic toes into Astrology for Poets and discuss the importance of Mercury. We cover Mercury and its lore, the signs it rules, and why leaning into Mercury's strengths can help our craft. Mercury is the mind, language and the way we communicate. Mercury is how we get from the thought to the page. Mercury is also how we get from word dumps and free writes to polished, publis...

In the latest episode of The Poetry Lab Podcast, Lori delves into the art of cultivating a poetic community on social media. Drawing from her own experience, she discusses the joy and challenges of connecting online for writers who lack similar connections in real life. She then dives into her tips for building a digital haven by sleuthing and following like-minded individuals. Next, she covers un...

In a world where anything can be used as a writing prompt, how do we pick one that will get us writing? In this episode, we'll go full Goldilocks: what we like, what we don't like, and what's just right about writing prompts. Then we'll dig into the anatomy of a really great prompt. Helping us turn our classrooms into laboratories where we can explore all kinds of creative possibilities and play i...

Let's become more confident poets. In this episode, Marilyn shares insights to inspire open-mindedness and creativity. From embracing unique experiences to handling rejection, she covers strategies for building poetic confidence. Dive into crafting, reading, and celebrating poetry, while always staying true to your own voice. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poet...

The prose poem offers a wide canvas for experimentation, attracting innovative voices in contemporary poetry. In this episode, we cover the rebellious roots of the form and how it stepped into the current moment. Join Danielle as she geeks out on her favorite form, discussing the challenges and opportunities presented to us when we focus on the sentence as a unit of measure. At the end of the epis...

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves. In this episode, Danielle shares the founding story of The Poetry Lab and reflects on the lasting influence of her friend and mentor, Markus D. Manley. At its heart, this is a story about creative partnership, resilience, and the kind of trust that builds something bigger than either person alone. Learn more about the Markus D. Manley Award for BIPOC poets here. ...

The writing life is not always easy when you're doing it on your own. Creatives need to give themselves permission to embrace a mindset of abundance and art-making. In this episode, Danielle explores five practices to ignite your creativity. From journaling to walking, these five practices can give you the jumpstart you need for your journey. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this...