This post is just an update for activities on The Poetry Wire, a series of online courses I’ve been offering ever since the start of the pandemic. All the courses last 6 weeks, and I limit course numbers to around 16 so we still have the sense of being around a table, and participants can get to know each other.

The Poetry Wire has been quite astonishingly successful, each course has booked up quickly, and sold out – and I get many lovely poets who come back for more. This February’s course is ‘Magnificent Apparel‘ which will take a look at what we wear. It will be the 12th Poetry Wire course. I have an email list which I’m happy to add you too, if you’re interested – just ask.

This is how it works. All the courses are online, on The Poetry Wire, which is a website/blog – only for the use of course participants. Here I put up the two prompts per week, and here the finished poems can be shared only with course participants so that they’re still eligible for publication.  When you’ve signed up to the course, I will send you an invitation to join the Poetry Wire – at which point you can see the website.

There are two new prompts each Friday, which I put up on the Poetry Wire (and also email to you).  I provide detailed written feedback on one of your poems each week, after which you can edit it, return it to me, and I’ll then put your work up on The Poetry Wire to share, so other participants can see it too.   

If you write a second poem as well that week, then feel free to share it in the comments box under your first poem.

One thing that’s working really well is that I find participants do take the time to read each other’s work and leave comments as feedback on the poems, so there’s a really nice sense of conversation and community developing.  On the last course, for example, participants left over 800 comments on each others’ poems during the 6 weeks.

And on Fridays we have a Zoom session and people read their work and talk about it.  Usually this has been 4pm-5pm.  This is the only fixed time in the week, as the rest of the time you can work on the prompts at times that suit you.

Here’s a few comments from participants on recent courses:

OTHER SKINS
Thank you so much for your wonderful facilitation, keen analytical eye and positivity.  These weekly ‘deadlines’ have been just what I needed to get back into writing after a bit of a gap. Your feedback has been so helpful, your encouragement absolutely brilliant – for someone who has chronic self-doubt.  (My friends are all frustrated with me!). 
Participant

CIRCUS TRICKS & MAGICAL TRAPS
I feel like this goes from strength to strength! It’s a testament to your skill that you have so many established writers keen to join you and contribute so much.
It’s fantastic for a relative newbie like me and even I have developed the courage to explore and submit work in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible a couple of years ago!

Nicola C

THE OTHER SIDE OF DAY
The course was really fab. I cannot remember a course where I have felt so inspired nor written so many poems that pleased me.  It is a winning formula and it was a great group of people. I will certainly sign up for the next one and may have another participant for you so I will pass on the info when it comes my way.
Bernie L

I really enjoyed the course. I find your way of mentoring is very helpful. You have such a wonderful poetic sensibility and you are always so encouraging. I would also say that the structure of the course is purposeful and productive, and the support of other participants is very heartening. Looking forward to the next one.
Jan W

Thank you Jean for a wonderful course and for your never-failing positivity! Eavesdropping on our Friday afternoon gatherings from his office my husband often comments that we sound like we’re having a party! And so we were. Thanks to all for being such a lovely, supportive and talented group of poets. I have so enjoyed reading the weekly selection of varied and inventive poems and all those gloriously encouraging comments. On a personal note, having suffered long ago from some never quite forgotten childhood bullying, I have a tendency to this day to feel myself on the outside of groups. Not so with this one. A really heartfelt thank you to you all for making me – and no doubt all of us – feel so wonderfully included. Can’t wait till Feb/March for the next one!
Participant

THE HAUNTED PALACE
It’s been a great course – excellent prompts but best of all are your quick, pertinent, responses with time for a bit of editing and polishing before presenting. This is much more effective than any other course I’ve done.
Chris K