Comments on: Career Advice for Young Poets

By: Jeannine

Jeannine — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:56:27 +0000

Joannie – I agree – and there is a middle ground I support fully! I like your advice.

Christie – Thanks! Yes, 27 is still young! I like this advice – reading definitely shakes things up in a good way!

By: Christie

Christie — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 02:08:29 +0000

I think I'm learning bits of this everyday. Reading poetry is a huge part of learning poetry. I find things all the time that inspire, that make me think, "I woudn't have thought to do that or that that was okay," and it's good to get shaken out of your expectations, you know?

Thanks for the advice; certainly taken to heart (is 27 still young?).

By: Joannie

Joannie — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 00:50:46 +0000

I thought Jeffrey Skinner’s book definitely canted toward the MFA as a necessity. His examples tended to be along the lines of devote your life to poetry and get an MFA, or work at Starbucks. Not much room for a middle ground, the road less traveled by. But I appreciated Christopher Howell’s perspective that an MFA can save you years of effort–it’s like turbo power (my analogy), especially if you have good advisors.
I think your tip about Poet’s Market is spot-on, and this year’s edition has some excellent advice for people just starting out (including your essay on chapbooks 🙂 ).
What my 52-year-old self might tell my 25-year-old self? Read–even more. Worry less. Take your time, with each poem and in general.
Thanks for this generous post.