Poets & Writers
@pw.org
Official account of Poets & Writers, the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers since 1970. Sign up for our newsletter: at.pw.org/newsletter
“Poetry has become both a site of reverence and a kind of cultural linguistic archive.” In this week’s #CraftCapsule, brittny ray crowell considers how memory can be mined for particular phrases and pronunciations to guide poetry. at.pw.org/crowellCC1
January 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM
“Poetry has become both a site of reverence and a kind of cultural linguistic archive.” In this week’s #CraftCapsule, brittny ray crowell considers how memory can be mined for particular phrases and pronunciations to guide poetry. at.pw.org/crowellCC1
“But people are fucking messy. And messy can be interesting. I’m encouraging mess as form of experimentation and constant reinvention.” Writer Benjamin Percy cautions against growing too rigid in our writing practice, suggesting fluidity and writing as a multi-tool. at.pw.org/DareToDefamiliarize
January 11, 2026 at 4:15 PM
“But people are fucking messy. And messy can be interesting. I’m encouraging mess as form of experimentation and constant reinvention.” Writer Benjamin Percy cautions against growing too rigid in our writing practice, suggesting fluidity and writing as a multi-tool. at.pw.org/DareToDefamiliarize
#ICYMI: Our new issue includes steps to take a three-day writing detox; articles on how to revise your manuscript for symmetry and writing as a multi-tool; and reports on the People’s Recorder podcast as well as Bellevue Literary Review’s literature of illness and healing. More: at.pw.org/JanFeb2026
January 10, 2026 at 5:03 PM
#ICYMI: Our new issue includes steps to take a three-day writing detox; articles on how to revise your manuscript for symmetry and writing as a multi-tool; and reports on the People’s Recorder podcast as well as Bellevue Literary Review’s literature of illness and healing. More: at.pw.org/JanFeb2026
#PWFictionPrompt: If you are staring at a blank page or screen unsure of where to begin, soothe yourself by fast-forwarding to the final page of the story. #FromTheArchive: at.pw.org/ForgoneConclusion
January 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
#PWFictionPrompt: If you are staring at a blank page or screen unsure of where to begin, soothe yourself by fast-forwarding to the final page of the story. #FromTheArchive: at.pw.org/ForgoneConclusion
#ClipOfTheDay: The Chronology of Water is a film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s award-winning memoir of the same name tracing the author’s life from her memories as a promising swimmer, through fractured relationships and addiction, to her career as a writer. at.pw.org/ChronologyWaterTrailer
January 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
#ClipOfTheDay: The Chronology of Water is a film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s award-winning memoir of the same name tracing the author’s life from her memories as a promising swimmer, through fractured relationships and addiction, to her career as a writer. at.pw.org/ChronologyWaterTrailer
The Time Is Now to spark your writing! This week we recommend a collection of essays on the craft of translation edited by Esther Allen and Susan Bernofsky, and #PWWritingPrompts on catchy lyrics, battling tones, and eating habits. Read more: at.pw.org/TTIN
January 9, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The Time Is Now to spark your writing! This week we recommend a collection of essays on the craft of translation edited by Esther Allen and Susan Bernofsky, and #PWWritingPrompts on catchy lyrics, battling tones, and eating habits. Read more: at.pw.org/TTIN
Editor Serena Alagappan reports on the People’s Recorder, a podcast about the Federal Writers’ Project: The show “reminds us that when writers devote their time and talent to listening, we all gain, as [Kiki] Petrosino puts it, a ‘richer sense of ourselves and our neighbors.’” at.pw.org/LitHistory
January 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Editor Serena Alagappan reports on the People’s Recorder, a podcast about the Federal Writers’ Project: The show “reminds us that when writers devote their time and talent to listening, we all gain, as [Kiki] Petrosino puts it, a ‘richer sense of ourselves and our neighbors.’” at.pw.org/LitHistory
“How is being seen different from being stared at? What’s the difference between an object and art? How would I envision an alternate self?” Poet Annie Wenstrup shares the insightful questions that led to her debut collection, The Museum of Unnatural Histories. Read on: at.pw.org/AnnieWenstrup
January 9, 2026 at 1:01 PM
“How is being seen different from being stared at? What’s the difference between an object and art? How would I envision an alternate self?” Poet Annie Wenstrup shares the insightful questions that led to her debut collection, The Museum of Unnatural Histories. Read on: at.pw.org/AnnieWenstrup
“He heard her crunching through the sand and then she dropped into the wash and came swaggering toward him in cutoffs, baggy white muscle shirt, and chuck taylors, carrying climbing shoes….” Find out which of our twelve noteworthy #PageOne books has this as its opening line: at.pw.org/PageOne2026x1
January 8, 2026 at 4:15 PM
“He heard her crunching through the sand and then she dropped into the wash and came swaggering toward him in cutoffs, baggy white muscle shirt, and chuck taylors, carrying climbing shoes….” Find out which of our twelve noteworthy #PageOne books has this as its opening line: at.pw.org/PageOne2026x1
#ClipOfTheDay: In this 2024 Louisiana Literature Festival event in Denmark, Anne Carson reads “Stacks,” joined by poet Danez Smith and her collaborator and partner Robert Currie for the performance. at.pw.org/Stacks
January 8, 2026 at 1:00 AM
#ClipOfTheDay: In this 2024 Louisiana Literature Festival event in Denmark, Anne Carson reads “Stacks,” joined by poet Danez Smith and her collaborator and partner Robert Currie for the performance. at.pw.org/Stacks
“I like to think of waves when I’m at my desk, their depths, their inherent sounds and movements. Their energy helps my mind move,” writes Glen Pourciau, author of Under (@fourwaybooks.bsky.social). Read on: at.pw.org/WRPourciau
January 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
“I like to think of waves when I’m at my desk, their depths, their inherent sounds and movements. Their energy helps my mind move,” writes Glen Pourciau, author of Under (@fourwaybooks.bsky.social). Read on: at.pw.org/WRPourciau
"Many unknown things are possible, many unexpected turns of events will arise." For this week's #TenQuestions, Xiaolu Guo shares a look at the writing and publishing process for her latest novel, Call Me Ishmaelle, out today from @groveatlantic.bsky.social. Read more: at.pw.org/10qGuo
January 6, 2026 at 8:33 PM
"Many unknown things are possible, many unexpected turns of events will arise." For this week's #TenQuestions, Xiaolu Guo shares a look at the writing and publishing process for her latest novel, Call Me Ishmaelle, out today from @groveatlantic.bsky.social. Read more: at.pw.org/10qGuo
Visit groups.pw.org to create your profile and start meeting fellow writers today. Try it with a 30-day free trial: at.pw.org/trygroups. We hope to see you there! (Trial for new P&W members only.)
January 6, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Visit groups.pw.org to create your profile and start meeting fellow writers today. Try it with a 30-day free trial: at.pw.org/trygroups. We hope to see you there! (Trial for new P&W members only.)
“Joining Poets & Writers Groups has allowed me to connect with writers from all over the country.” If you’ve been looking for fellow writers to support you on your writing journey, find them at Poets & Writers Groups (groups.pw.org).
January 6, 2026 at 1:01 PM
“Joining Poets & Writers Groups has allowed me to connect with writers from all over the country.” If you’ve been looking for fellow writers to support you on your writing journey, find them at Poets & Writers Groups (groups.pw.org).
#ClipOfTheDay: In this CBS Sunday Morning interview, Salman Rushdie speaks about encountering mortality and the pivotal moments that have shaped his life and upbringing, and about the stories and themes in his new book, The Eleventh Hour. at.pw.org/EleventhHour
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM
#ClipOfTheDay: In this CBS Sunday Morning interview, Salman Rushdie speaks about encountering mortality and the pivotal moments that have shaped his life and upbringing, and about the stories and themes in his new book, The Eleventh Hour. at.pw.org/EleventhHour
“Sometimes this impasse or estrangement…is because there is a gap between your creative vision and your skills. So, you want to become an apprentice again.” Gbenga Adesina offers a writer’s block remedy for our latest issue. “What I want to do needs a larger version of me.” at.pw.org/GbengaAdesina
January 5, 2026 at 8:36 PM
“Sometimes this impasse or estrangement…is because there is a gap between your creative vision and your skills. So, you want to become an apprentice again.” Gbenga Adesina offers a writer’s block remedy for our latest issue. “What I want to do needs a larger version of me.” at.pw.org/GbengaAdesina
“The movements and rhythms of fairy tales have been tested by thousands—millions! billions!—of audiences over time, the beats smoothed and perfected like shards of seashell, edges worn to gloss at the shoreline.” Aimee Bender shares a prominent technique found in fairy tales: at.pw.org/AndThen
January 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
“The movements and rhythms of fairy tales have been tested by thousands—millions! billions!—of audiences over time, the beats smoothed and perfected like shards of seashell, edges worn to gloss at the shoreline.” Aimee Bender shares a prominent technique found in fairy tales: at.pw.org/AndThen
Build your creative routine this year! Check out our series, The Time Is Now, for free weekly writing prompts. We publish original prompts for poets, fiction, and creative nonfiction writers. Sign up for our newsletter and get them delivered to your inbox every Friday morning. at.pw.org/TTIN
January 4, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Build your creative routine this year! Check out our series, The Time Is Now, for free weekly writing prompts. We publish original prompts for poets, fiction, and creative nonfiction writers. Sign up for our newsletter and get them delivered to your inbox every Friday morning. at.pw.org/TTIN
#PWPoetryPrompt: Write a poem about the feeling you get when entering a new year. What are you taking with you, and what are you leaving behind? #FromTheArchive: at.pw.org/TheNewYear
January 3, 2026 at 2:01 PM
#PWPoetryPrompt: Write a poem about the feeling you get when entering a new year. What are you taking with you, and what are you leaving behind? #FromTheArchive: at.pw.org/TheNewYear
#ClipOfTheDay: In this reading celebrating the annual Poets House Showcase exhibition, Hala Alyan, Cynthia Cruz, Carl Phillips, and Rowan Ricardo Phillips read a selection of poems from their recent collections. at.pw.org/PoetsHouseShowcase
January 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM
#ClipOfTheDay: In this reading celebrating the annual Poets House Showcase exhibition, Hala Alyan, Cynthia Cruz, Carl Phillips, and Rowan Ricardo Phillips read a selection of poems from their recent collections. at.pw.org/PoetsHouseShowcase
The Time Is Now to spark your writing! This week we recommend a craft book on writing as a way of life by Brian Morton, and #PWWritingPrompts on passing time, anonymity, and technology. Read more: at.pw.org/TTIN
January 2, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The Time Is Now to spark your writing! This week we recommend a craft book on writing as a way of life by Brian Morton, and #PWWritingPrompts on passing time, anonymity, and technology. Read more: at.pw.org/TTIN
If working on your creative nonfiction manuscript is one of your New Year's resolutions, we've got you. Take a deep dive into querying, submitting, and perfecting your pitch with this online workshop led by @alissonwood.bsky.social. Grab a seat before early-bird discounts end! at.pw.org/cnfproposal
January 2, 2026 at 4:15 PM
If working on your creative nonfiction manuscript is one of your New Year's resolutions, we've got you. Take a deep dive into querying, submitting, and perfecting your pitch with this online workshop led by @alissonwood.bsky.social. Grab a seat before early-bird discounts end! at.pw.org/cnfproposal
Celebrate our 21st annual debut poets with us on January 20 & 21, 2026, at 7 PM EST! Taking place over two evenings, the event includes readings from the poets and conversations about their individual paths to publication. RSVP is required for this free virtual event: at.pw.org/DebutPoets2026
January 1, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Celebrate our 21st annual debut poets with us on January 20 & 21, 2026, at 7 PM EST! Taking place over two evenings, the event includes readings from the poets and conversations about their individual paths to publication. RSVP is required for this free virtual event: at.pw.org/DebutPoets2026
#ClipOfTheDay: Here’s a poem to help welcome in the new year: Elizabeth Acevedo reads “blessing the boats” by Lucille Clifton in this 2021 installment of the Ours Poetica series, sponsored by Complexly and the Poetry Foundation. at.pw.org/BlessingBoats
January 1, 2026 at 1:00 AM
#ClipOfTheDay: Here’s a poem to help welcome in the new year: Elizabeth Acevedo reads “blessing the boats” by Lucille Clifton in this 2021 installment of the Ours Poetica series, sponsored by Complexly and the Poetry Foundation. at.pw.org/BlessingBoats
“When the experiential specifics of a body are centred as formal origin, what essayistic possibilities, intelligibilities, shifts, and slippages might ensue?” In this week’s #CraftCapsule, Lars Horn reflects on what a trans essay might look like. Read more: at.pw.org/HornCC3
December 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
“When the experiential specifics of a body are centred as formal origin, what essayistic possibilities, intelligibilities, shifts, and slippages might ensue?” In this week’s #CraftCapsule, Lars Horn reflects on what a trans essay might look like. Read more: at.pw.org/HornCC3