Poets House offers a wide range of classes for experienced readers and writers of poetry, as well as newcomers to the art. Innovative seminars and workshops taught by emerging and established poets offer aficionados as well as poetry newcomers an opportunity to explore various aspects of the writing process in greater depth.

Master Classes

Master Classes offer advanced writers of poetry an opportunity to work intensively with some of the most respected poets of our time. Applications are required; space is limited; $390.

Master Class Application Guidelines
Send three poems accompanied by a cover sheet with your name, address, email address and phone number to:
Poets House
10 River Terrace
New York, NY 10282
Attn: Classes

or by email to classes@poetshouse.org. Poems must arrive by the designated deadline. No names or addresses should appear on the poems themselves.

Six-Week Open-Enrollment Classes

These poetry workshops give special focus to the relationship between reading and writing poetry. Open to all levels, six-week courses are offered on a wide variety of topics.

Summer 2013 Workshops
The Art of the Line Break with Idra Novey

Down to the Bone Gristle: Exercises in Revision & Editing with Tara Betts

Room to Move: The Long Poem with Brian Teare

Nuts and Bolts: A Poetry Workshop with Bill Zavatsky

Open Enrollment Class Registration Guidelines
Open to all; no applications needed but registration is required; call (212) 431-7920 x2832 or email classes@poetshouse.org; $295 each.

Five-day Summer Workshop for Teachers

Drawing on Poets House’s 50,000-volume poetry library, this 5-day intensive course will lead middle- and high school teachers through a variety of hands-on exercises meant to inspire the teaching, writing, and reading of poetry.
Conquering the Blank Page: Poetry as a Teaching Tool with Emily Moore

Poets House Emerging Poets Fellowship Program

Funded by a generous grant from the Jerome Foundation, Poets House’s Emerging Poets Fellowship Program (formerly the Emerging Poets Residency) assists emerging poets by providing excellent poetry writing instruction and mentoring in the special environment of Poets House's poetry library —with its unique archives and access to far-reaching programs and conversations with poets and poetry audiences. The program aims to deepen participants’ artistic practice by offering a robust professional network of poets and literary professionals, including special visits from editors and publishers, who will assist each writer with their artistic development and career.

The program includes weekly writing workshops, mentoring sessions, meetings with guest speakers, free access to Poets House's events and archival resources and culminates in a final group reading. Transportation support is available for participants. The application process is competitive; tuition is free to those accepted into the program.

For more information, please visit the Emerging Poets Fellowship page.