On Poetry

Glyn Maxwell

“Occasionally mad but very interesting.”—Wendy Cope, The Observer

“[This] is a tremendously good book, and should be read by anyone who writes poetry and anyone who’s interested in how and why poetry is written… It’s a masterclass in close reading and close writing—that is, in paying proper attention to the weight of words and their various shades of meanings, to their musical value and how one word affects its neighbor… This is the best book about poetry I’ve ever read; certainly the only one that’s made me laugh out loud. Maxwell’s students are lucky to have him, and so are the rest of us.”—Adam Newey, The Guardian

“A wee gem of a book, essential reading for anyone who reads or writes poetry.”—Alan Spence, The Scotsman

“This wonderful new book by respected poet and dramatist Maxwell presents an inspiring how-to as well as a strong defense of poetry as a craft. The work reads as a prose poem in celebration of poetry… With an eye for how the poet brings life to words on a page, the author guides the reader through the importance of form and sound, thus teaching how a poem breathes. Each of the six chapters explicates a different poetic element…with a clarity of vision and delightful examples sure to engage poets, readers, and writers alike… Maxwell’s intelligent, conversational approach is exhilarating in its openness and breathtaking in its insight into the art of writing poems; a highly recommended book for all readers, teachers, and students of poetry.”—Herman Sutter, Library Journal (starred review)

“The most compelling, original, charismatic and poetic guide to poetry that I can remember. A handbook written from the heart by one of the true modern masters of the craft.”—Simon Armitage

“A wry, learned, immensely helpful running commentary on teaching young poets to write.”—Rachel Hadas

“What’s particularly delightful here is the author’s pleasure in skewering the lazy standards and attitudes of the day. Passionate and witty, it takes the young writer to the heart of the matter.”—J.D. McClatchy

• Seminary Co-op »
• Powell’s »
• IndieBound »
• Barnes & Noble »
• Amazon »
• More Bookstores…