Or you could take a photo of the image (or scan it) with your cellphone.
#POETRY WRITING CHALLENGE ARCHIVE#
Having a scanner helps to archive the image perfectly and scanners are now $100. DON’T POST YOUR OWN POEMS ONLINE UNTIL A MONTH AFTER YOU SEND THEM.Īlso, do not publish anyone else’s poem without their written permission. This is on YOU dear Poetry Postcard Fest poet. If you do not get cards from participants right away, or are not inspired by them, no problem, but do write at least 31 postcard poems if you sign up. Ideally you’ll be incorporating themes, tones or motifs from cards you have received. Once you have written cards to all poets below your name on your list, continue to the top of your group of 32. Remember Allen Ginsberg’s paraphrase of the Blake quite: “Abstractions and Generalizations are the plea of the hypocrite, knave and scoundrel.” Or as Ezra Pound said: “Abstractions must be earned.” Really. Review the links below for guidance ESPECIALLY the sending postcards to strangers blog post by David Sherman, the Ina Roy-Faderman testimonialand Linda Crosfield’s 7.14.16 blog post. If it’s hard at the start of the fest to do that, relax, because it gets better as the month goes on, no one can publish your poem without your permission and you are writing to a PERSON. The idea is to practice spontaneity, that is write directly on the card in one take. (If you are #8 on the list, start with #9 and proceed from there.) Just like you’d write a typical postcard, only this one is a poem and linked to the epistle form, as you are writing TO someone. Once you get your list, start writing original poems directly (1st take) onto postcards addressed to the names below you on the list of poets.
#POETRY WRITING CHALLENGE REGISTRATION#
( You will not get your group list at registration, but when there are 32 in your group or when registration ends.)ģ. Find your name on that list and please make sure your info is correct. After you register, and once your group has filled, Many places can turn your pictures into cards, as can any decent print shop. Obtain or make at least 31 postcards, one for each poet on your list. Once you are registered ( click here to register) here are the INSTRUCTIONS: 1. See this essay in Rattle Magazine about the fest: In 2021 there were 519 participants in over 14 countries. The Fest was initiated in 2007 by poets Paul Nelson and Lana Ayers and involves people signing up to send 31 original poems on postcards to folks on their list before the end of August. This is the official page for the Poetry Postcard Fest.