What is the School of Poets?
The School of Poets is run by volunteers, and open to poets of all levels where no-one teaches and everyone learns. We support the poetry library’s mission to bring people and poetry together. The School of Poets meets monthly to share new poems – reading and having read – and to receive considered and supportive feedback. The group was started by Tessa Ransford at the outset of the Scottish Poetry Library and has been a home to aspiring poets ever since. In 2022 it will be marking 40 years since its first meeting. Whilst it is not intended as a school for absolute beginners, every encouragement to learn from more experienced practitioners is given.
Recent developments at the School of Poets
Prior to the pandemic, the School of Poets physically met in the Scottish Poetry Library on the second Tuesday of the month. However, during lockdown, we continued to meet using dial-in sessions with poems shared by email beforehand. Since the passing of the worst effects of the pandemic, the group is meeting with a hybrid approach, allowing both in person and online participation for its monthly meetings. Whilst conducting online-only meetings, the group picked up members across Scotland and from even wider afield. Keeping in touch with these new members is part of the broadening appeal of the School of Poets.
History
In February 1981, Tessa Ransford founded the School of Poets. Tessa went on to be a driving force in the establishment of the Scottish Poetry Library where we have often held our workshops. Originally membership was by invitation; today, it is open to any interested poets. The group switched to meeting online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also held other events including courtyard readings and poetry walks in the Edinburgh area.
Our workshop poems are archived at Edinburgh Central Library, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EG Telephone: 0131 242 8000; Email: eclis@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Preparation for Workshop
We email details each month of the next workshop. Write a poem to bring for review: poems that are works in progress (preferably less than 1 page in length) work best, and you are welcome to rework one of your older poems. Sometimes we have a theme to our workshop (e.g., “what it is to be human”). To facilitate organisation of groups, poems are submitted to the Secretary by 6pm on the Sunday before the group meeting. The Secretary splits us into groups of 4-6 people and circulates collated poems in advance to participants with dial in details. It is expected that you bring your copy of them (as either print out or on a suitable device). You may choose to study the collated poems in advance, or not, depending on your own time availability and preference. Please respect the copyright of others.
Poetry Remote Workshop (Online or Phone-in)
We meet using the Poetry Library Zoom and find it preferable if you switch on your camera when you are speaking, if possible. There is an alternative phone dial in option, so neither computer nor camera are essential. Please mute yourself when not speaking. Group members dial in 5 minutes before the 6 pm start. We take approximately 12-15 minutes per poem so usually finish before 7:30 pm depending on numbers in the group. Each person reads their poem and hears someone else read it back. Everyone gets an opportunity to offer feedback on each poem in their group in a friendly environment.
Poetry In-Person Workshop at Poetry Library
Since restarting in 2022, we have been opening-up the library at 6:45 pm for a 7 pm start and 8:30 pm finish. We have been collating poems and running the group in the same way as the online workshops. However, we also allow for you to bring along 5-6 copies of your poem to share.
Constructive Feedback
Members should be willing to receive feedback in a positive manner and take it on board, where appropriate, endeavouring to improve their poetry. Feedback should be given in a positive and kind manner and stay on topic, touching on some of these points in one or two minutes:
First Reaction: What caught your attention? What parts of it are lingering in your mind?
What Works and Why?: Beautiful or interesting use of language? What delights or disturbs?
Pondering: What are the questions it makes you want to ask? What is the poem about? What puzzles me?
Sound: How does the poem sound? Use of alliteration and/or rhythm/ rhyme?
Layout: How does the poem look on the page?
Improvements: What might be taken out? What seems to be missing? What might be reworked?
Final Thoughts: Where has the poem taken you? How has it made you feel?
Subscriptions
The first workshop for new members is a free trial. After that members pay a small monthly membership – usually set up by standing order. We use money to give a donation to the poetry library and other venues where we hold events.
Please let us know if your circumstances mean you are unable to pay as we do not wish there to be financial barriers to participation.
Questions and Comments?
If you have any questions, comments or ideas for improvement then please contact:
schoolofpoets@yahoo.co.uk
We look forward to getting to know you and sharing in poetry!