April 2015

Alicia Anstead

The old house of poetry

By Alicia Anstead

Eliot said: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” We hope this issue finds you sitting with writers whose work engages you and pushes you far. And again farther.

Features

Shine the light

By Patti Hartigan

Playwright Christopher Durang reveals his process and the influences on his work.

As long as it takes

By Megan Kaplon

Journalist Sam Quinones shares pointers on writing long-form.

Hurry up, please

By Jack Hamann

Learn to work under the stress of deadlines.

Madam, I’m Adam

By Alicia Anstead

A conversation with graphic memoirist, screenwriter and novelist Ariel Schrag.

Departments

WRITING ESSENTIALS

The long and winding story

By Constance Hale

How to put the literary in long-form.

BREAKTHROUGH

Dig in

By Valerie Brooks

The symbiotic relationship between a writer and an editor.

OFF THE CUFF

Sing a new song

By JoAnn Stevelos

Finding a writing voice through music.

WRITE STUFF

Commonplace book

By Dale McGarrigle

Catalogue your ideas as they come for a stockpile of "Winning Words."

CONFERENCE INSIDER

Viva Las Vegas!

By Meredith Quinn

Double down on your agent pitch at this conference in Sin City.

LITERARY SPOTLIGHT

Keep sending

By Melissa Hart

Submit early and often to Beloit Poetry Journal.

LASTING EFFECT

1962: Advice for young poets

By Nicki Porter

Revisiting May Sarton’s letter to a beginner.

CLASS ACTION

Master of the verse

By Meredith Quinn

Enroll in the perfect MFA program for your poetry.

Also in Every Issue

From the Editor

Take Note

Punctuation tips, Alissa Quart, Tracy K. Smith, inspirations of contemporary poets and more.

Markets

Classified advertising

How I Write

Tony Hoagland: “Competitiveness and striving and self-commodification or envy will ruin your writing.”