The Poetry Has Value Project

The Poetry Has Value Project

Recently, I was inspired by the poet Dena Rash Guzman's personal challenge to send her poetry to paying markets in 2015. I was so inspired, in fact, that I decided to spend the next whole year submitting poetry ONLY to paying journals and markets, and recording what happens in this blog. I also decided to use this space to simultaneously explore deeper questions of poetry's value and worth (monetary or otherwise.) 

Luckily for everyone, I won't be doing it alone. Here you'll find posts about my experiences over the year, but also lists of paying markets, interviews with and advice from editors and publishers who pay poets, and essays by esteemed friends and colleagues who have opinions on the subject or are participating in this experiment themselves. 

I think it's worth it to spend a year thinking about the system and figuring out what's broken and how we can fix it. I think it's worth it to ask what poetry is worth.

Follow this project, and contribute your ideas, at www.poetryhasvalue.com.

Interrobang Reviewed at The Volta

This is the best interview I've read so far of Interrobang.  Insightful, well-written, full of clever analytical catches regarding content.  I couldn't be happier that I have readers like Erin Watson.

http://thevoltablog.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/interrobang-by-jessica-piazza-2/

Barn Owl Review likes Interrobang!

Sarah Dravec wrote this awesome review of Interrobang (Red Hen Press) at Barn Owl Review, and I'm pretty damn psyched about it. 

Sarah wrote that she was "moved to the deeper level of thinking" when she read it, which is incredibly humbling and wonderful. (Especially if she had fun reading it at the same time!)

Read it here...

Interrobang wins the 2013 Balcones Poetry Prize!

I'm beyond excited to report that my poetry collection Interrobang has won the prestigious 2013 Balcones Poetry Prize.  There were almost 200 published poetry collections nominated for the award, and it is an incredible honor that the judges decided my book deserved to win.

Past winners include Mark Jarman, Natalie Diaz, Chase Twichell, Dana Levin, Michael McGriff, Aimee Nezhukumatahil and Lorna Dee Cervantes. 

Read more about it here:

http://acccreativewriting.com/blog/austin-community-college-announces-the-winner-of-the-2013-balcones-poetry-prize-interrobang-red-hen-press-by-jessica-piazza/

Sign Up For My Summer Online Poetry Workshop (June 2, 2014 - July 14, 2014)

Hi all!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be doing an online poetry workshop this summer.  It's going to be a blast, and will definitely keep everyone on a writing schedule as we hone our poetic craft!

All the info is below.  Join us!

ONLINE POETRY WORKSHOP WITH JESSICA PIAZZA:
6 week workshop June 2 to July 14
$199

Sign up here: http://www.barrelhousemag.com/?page_id=235#jess

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:

A 6-week summer online poetry workshop with an emphasis on poetic craft. (You don't have to be in a specific location at a specific time; you can access the class info at your convenience.) We will examine the many approaches, voices, forms and tools of poetic craft, breaking them down and discussing them as possibilities for broadening our own work. Everyone is welcome, as our goal -- more than anything -- will be to write amazing poems.

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON CRAFT?

None of us would be here if we didn't have something to say. The question is, then -- and has always been: how will we say it? Paying razor sharp attention to how the tools of poetic craft can transform, manipulate and enliven subject is a starting point into answering that question. From the simple line break to the more intricate questions of form, meter, rhythm, space and voice, we will consider a different poetic tool/style each week. Through discussing poems both contemporary and classic alongside our own work, we will hopefully find inspiration; new jumping off points to present our visions.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The workshop uses the Moodle learning management system. Participants do not have to be in a certain place at a certain time, but will log into the workshop space throughout the week, whenever is convenient for them.

The class is limited to 15 people. Each participant can hand in a poem each week to receive detailed feedback from the instructor, and all participants will have the opportunity to workshop several poems with the group. Each participant will also have the opportunity for a phone or online video conference with the instructor at the end of the workshop.

We workshop poetry every week. In addition, we will consider various readings (lectures on craft, interviews with writers and editors, sample poems, etc) to jumpstart a weekly discussion. Each craft discussion will feature online resources: i.e. poems in literary magazines or collections, lectures from the instructor, videos of readings, interviews of authors from Poets & Writers and other publications, etc. All the supporting materials will be free--participants won't have to buy any books or other materials.

HOW MUCH?

The workshop is $199. For that amount, you'll get critique on six poems, writing prompts, materials for consideration and a private conference with your instructor. And, you'll be supporting Barrelhouse

AND WHO IS JESSICA PIAZZA?

Jessica Piazza is the author of two poetry collections: "Interrobang" (Red Hen Press) and the chapbook "This is not a sky" (Black Lawrence Press). She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California and is currently a contributing editor for The Offending Adam and a reader for the National Poetry Series. Her commitment to fostering writing communities wherever she lives led her to co-found of Bat City Review in Austin, TX, Gold Line Press in Los Angeles and Speakeasy Poetry Series in New York City. Learn more at www.jessicapiazza.com.

Sign up here: http://www.barrelhousemag.com/?page_id=235#jess

Interrobang Reviewed by Sara Johnson in Tikkun Magazine

Sara Johnson, a brilliant poet in her own right, wrote a very special review of Interrobang at Tikkun Magazine.  Thanks to her, and to Joshua Bernstein for publishing it!



The Muscular Song

Goodreads Giveaway: Win A Free Copy of Interrobang!

Hey all!

If at any point you were interested in procuring a free copy of my poetry collection Interrobang (which, well, of course you are), then this week only you can enter to win one of three free giveaway copies with a single click at Goodreads.

Click here to enter!