Books, Gifts & Community for Poets

What is a Poem, Intro to Scansion, Tips for Editing an Anthology, & More Gifts for Poets

Books by Annie that poets find most useful:

[See all Annie's books on poetics]

A Poet's Craft: A Comprehensive Guide

A multi-levelled introduction to writing poetry>
“Nothing less than an MFA program in 600 pages.”—G. M. Palmer, The Critical Flame

Measure for Measure: An Anthology of Poetic Meters

Learn about poetic meter almost entirely by example
"This comprehensive and joyous celebration of metered verse brings together some of the best rhythmic lines in literature."—From the Publisher

Villanelles

The definitive anthology of the villanelle

An Exaltation of Forms: Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art

50 diverse contemporary poets introduce their favorite forms
"A revolutionary book!”—Elizabeth Alexander

A Formal Feeling Comes: Poems in Form by Contemporary Women

60 contemporary women’s formal poems and essays about form
“A unique and ground-breaking anthology.”—Library Journal

Calendars

Poems in 15 meters (scansions available in online Readers Guide)
"Calendars has an almost cult-like following." — J. Gabriel Scala, Angelspeak

A Poet's Ear: A Handbook of Meter and Form

Meter and form handbook (included in A Poet's Craft)

Lofty Dogmas: Poets on Poetics

Beloved collection of poets on poetry across eras, languages, and aesthetics. Edited with Maxine Kumin

“Poet Annie Finch has been behind some of the most enlightening and informative poetry anthologies in the last decade and seems committed to making poetry experts of us all.”
—Nudge Books in Review