Poetry By Numbers: Using Syllabics

Finding the right resistance for writing is a challenge. Metre challenges, but so too the scrupulous avoidance of metre that eschews free verse. So-called free verse is often simply unaware of its formal residues. (A clever enjambement is not proof of formal invention.) Considering poems by Elizabeth Daryush, Marianne Moore and Thom Gunn, and their reasons for choosing syllabics, we will then move on to your poems and consider what syllabics might contribute to, and what they might destroy in, your practice.

About Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt is a poet, literary historian, editor and publisher. Born in Mexico in 1947, he studied at Harvard and Oxford, taught at the Universities of Manchester and Glasgow, and was writer in residence at St John’s College, Cambridge. He is a founder (1969) and editorial and managing director of Carcanet Press and a founder (1972) and general editor on PN Review. He received an O.B.E. for services to Poetry and Higher Education. His literary-historical books include Lives of the Poets, The First Poets and The Novel: A Biography.

These workshops will be conducted via Zoom. We have put together this simple 'How To' document to help you download Zoom, join a meeting, and navigate around the meeting features (such as adjusting video and audio, uploading files, and sharing screens).

You will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with your ticket and the Zoom invitation, containing the meeting link and Meeting ID & Password.

Someone from The Poetry Business team will be on hand prior to each workshop to offer additional help in getting connected.

There is usually a lot of interest in our workshops: in the interest of fairness, please limit yourself to one workshop ticket in every two week period.

Bursary Spaces

There are two bursary spaces available per workshop for writers from groups that are under-represented in contemporary poetry or who are experiencing financial hardship. If you would like to apply for one of these bursary places, please contact jack@poetrybusiness.co.uk

Refunds

• If you no longer wish to attend the workshop please let us know by emailing us.
• We will need 3 working days' notice before the workshop starts in order to offer a full refund.
• Though we will do all we can to help you get set up with the technology it is the participants' responsibility to ensure that their camera, microphone and other computer settings are configured correctly. Please contact us if you are concerned about getting set up for Zoom.