Kim Addonizio

writer musicmaker maquisard

Kim Addonizio is the author of six poetry collections, two novels, two story collections, and two books on writing poetry, The Poet’s Companion (with Dorianne Laux) and Ordinary Genius. She has received fellowships from the NEA and Guggenheim Foundation, two Pushcart Prizes, and was a National Book Award Finalist for her collection Tell Me. Her latest books are Mortal Trash: Poems (W.W. Norton) and a memoir-in-essays, Bukowski in a Sundress (Penguin). She recently collaborated on a chapbook, The Night Could Go in Either Direction (Slapering Hol Press) with poet Brittany Perham. Addonizio also has two word/music CDs:  Swearing, Smoking, Drinking, & Kissing (with Susan Browne) and My Black Angel, a companion to My Black Angel: Blues Poems & Portraits, featuring woodcuts by Charles D. Jones. She teaches and performs internationally


Poetry is a matter of life, not just a matter of language.
 
-Lucille Clifton

WRITING FROM THE HEART
Mon-Fri, September 28—October 2,
9am—11:30am Pacific Time, Live on Zoom
Readings * Craft Discussions * Writing

5 meetings, $500.

Day 1/Forms of love

Day 2/Fear & other negative emotions

Day3/Compassion, empathy, forgiveness

Day 4/Grief

Day 5/Joy


The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”― Helen Keller

"There are three things, after all, that a poem must reach: the eye, the ear, and what we may call the heart or the mind. It is the most important of all to reach the heart of the reader." ―Robert Frost

This intensive week of reading, writing, and discussion is going to focus both on craft--how do you accomplish a poem that reaches the heart of another? --and process: opening our own hearts to our memories and imaginations and the things of the world. Each day will focus on an emotion that we'll explore through studying some fine poems and in-class writing. You'll be able to share your own new drafts every day, with extra readings for inspiration. This will be a fun, intense, no-pressure week that’s all about vulnerability, creativity, and staying human in these mad times. 

This class is open to everyone, at every level. To register, email me: addoniziokim@gmail.com


September 1—11, 2027
POETRY ADVENTURE IN ITALY!

I’ll once more be leading a special poetry retreat in Italy. We’ll be joined by Donna Masini, whose latest book, Did You Find Everything You Were Looking For, has just been published by W.W. Norton. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants; this will be a small, intimate group.

La Romita is a former Capuchin monastery nestled in the Umbrian hills. A retreat with plenty of time to write, and everything--workshops, transportation to/from Rome airport, delicious Italian meals, lodging, and several day trips--is included, except for airfare. As former La Romitans know, it's a truly magical experience to live in a monastery with other poets, writing together and being inspired by the beauty of Italy. There's a very early discount if you sign up by November 1. The best kind of vacation--a peaceful, creative, and stimulating experience. Visit La Romita's website for more info: https://laromita.org .






BOOks for Poets

FINGER EXERCISES FOR POETS, Dorianne Laux (W.W. Norton)

ORDINARY GENIUS: A GUIDE FOR THE POET WITHIN, Kim Addonizio  (W.W. Norton)

THE POET'S COMPANION: A GUIDE TO THE PLEASURES OF WRITING POETRY, Kim Addonizio & Dorianne Laux (W.W. Norton)

IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND: THE POET'S PORTABLE WORKSHOP, Steve Kowit (Tilbury House)

WHY POETRY, Matthew Zapruder (Ecco)

BEST WORDS, BEST ORDER, Stephen Dobyns (St. Martin's)

STRUCTURE AND SURPRISE :ENGAGING POETIC TURNS, ed. Michael Theune (Teachers & Writers)

POETIC METER & POETIC FORM, Paul Fussell (McGraw Hill)

TEXT BOOK: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY LANGUAGE, Robert Scholes, Nancy Comley, Greg Ulmer er (St. Martin's










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