Hey poets, When you sit down to write a poem, who is it really for? Do you write as a personal outlet, capturing your thoughts and emotions just for yourself? Or do you craft your words with an audience in mind, hoping to connect, inspire, or even challenge readers? Maybe it’s a mix of both? Some poets find that writing is deeply personal, almost like a diary, while others love the idea of their work being shared, performed, or published. Do you ever adjust your writing style depending on whether a poem will stay private or be shared? And if you do share, how does knowing others will read it affect the way you write? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you write for yourself, for an audience, or somewhere in between? Let’s discuss!

Hey everyone, We all have those little things that bring us comfort after a long day—whether it’s a cozy ritual, a favourite hobby, or just something that helps us unwind. For me, it’s sitting with a hot drink and watching the world go by, especially if it’s raining outside. There’s something about the sound of rain that instantly makes everything feel calmer. Even better late at night in a hot tub! (Must get mine repaired!!!) What’s your go-to comfort activity? Do you have a favorite book you always reread, a TV show that never fails to lift your mood, or maybe a creative outlet that helps you reset? Let’s share the small things that bring us peace—who knows, you might even pick up a new relaxation habit! Looking forward to hearing what keeps you grounded!

Welcome to PoCoChapMo ‘24! PoCoChapMo, short for Poetry Cove Chapbook Month, is an exciting and inspiring event created by Herb Hagell. Designed to provide poets with an opportunity to write their first or next chapbook, PoCoChapMo is a month-long journey of creativity, community, and poetic growth. The 2024 event runs from September 1 through September 30. The Vision Behind PoCoChapMo Herb Hagell envisioned PoCoChapMo as a dedicated time for poets to focus on their craft, push their creative boundaries, and connect with fellow writers. Whether you're a seasoned poet or just starting out, this event is your chance to compile a collection of poems that reflect your unique voice and vision. We want to help you on your way to succeed in your vision for your poetry journey. For many poets, the goal of publishing hangs over them like the first time leaning in for a kiss. We are here to support you in making that leap, guiding you through the process, and celebrating your achievements. What to Expect Throughout the month, we have a range of activities and resources to help you on your chapbook journey: 1. Prompts and Resources: • Bi-Weekly Prompts: Every Monday and Thursday, we’ll share new prompts to inspire your writing. These will include word prompts, image prompts, and suggested forms. • Resource Guides: Access guides on writing, editing, and compiling your chapbook. These resources will help you refine your work and prepare it for publication. 2. Feedback Corner: • Constructive Critique: Share your poems in our Feedback Corner to receive constructive feedback from fellow poets. This is a great way to improve your work and gain new perspectives. • Workshopping: Participate in detailed workshopping sessions to hone your poems and get them ready for your chapbook. 3. Community and Support: • Introduce Yourself: Start by introducing yourself in our dedicated thread. Share your mission statement and connect with other participants. • Engagement: Join our daily and weekly check-ins, share your progress, and celebrate milestones with the community. 4. Helpful Meetings: • August 31: Welcome to the Challenge: In this session, we will review the intents and resources of the challenge; discuss chapbooks; and answer your questions. • September 30: Celebration and Review: A celebration and review of the month; a how-to on working with Canva to format your chapbook into a printable version; if we have time, we can talk about formatting an e-book for Kindle KDP (for example). 5. Official Chapbook Compilation: • At the end of the month, we will compile an official PoCoChapMo chapbook, featuring selected works from participants. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your work published and to be part of a collective celebration of poetry. Key Dates • August 31: Welcome to the Challenge meeting • September 1 - September 30: PoCoChapMo ‘24 event period • October 1: Submission deadline for official chapbook • September 30: Celebration and Review meeting • October 18: Selection announcement for the official chapbook How to Participate 1. Set Your Goals: Decide on the length and theme of your chapbook. Set daily or weekly writing targets. 2. Engage with Prompts: Use the bi-weekly prompts to inspire your writing. 3. Seek Feedback: Share your poems in the Feedback Corner for constructive critique. 4. Submit Your Finished Poems: By September 30th, submit your finished poems for consideration in the official chapbook. We’re thrilled to embark on this poetic journey with you. Let’s make PoCoChapMo ‘24 a month of creativity, growth, and community. Happy writing! VIEW OUR INDUCTION MEETING HERE: https://youtu.be/l_3EOdQXJAE

Welcome to the PoCoChapMo ‘24 Poetry Submissions thread! This is the place to share your finished poems for consideration in the official PoCoChapMo Chapbook. We are excited to compile a collection of the best works from this month’s event, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity within our community. Submission Guidelines How to Submit: 1. Post Your Poem: Share your finished poem in this thread with a clear indication that it’s for the official chapbook. 2. One Submission per Post: To keep things organized, please submit one poem per post. 3. Formatting: Ensure your poem is formatted clearly and as you would like it to appear in the chapbook. 4. Title: Include the title of your poem at the top of your post. Eligibility: • Only finished poems created during PoCoChapMo ‘24 are eligible for submission. • You can submit multiple poems, but each poem must be posted separately. • Make sure your poem adheres to the community guidelines and is your original work. Important Dates: • Submission Deadline: Submissions must be in by October 1st. • Selection Announcement: Selected poems will be announced on October 18th. Note on Feedback and Workshopping If you’re looking for feedback or want to workshop your poems, please use the Feedback Corner thread. This thread is strictly for final submissions only. Example Post Title: Whispers of the Night Poem: In the stillness, shadows dance, Whispers weave a silent trance. Moonlight casts a silver hue, Dreams awaken, pure and true. Author: Alex Official Chapbook Compilation At the end of the month, we will compile an official PoCoChapMo chapbook, featuring selected works from participants. This collection will be edited by Poet Laureate Adam Gary, ensuring a high-quality publication that truly represents the best of our community. This is in addition to your personal chapbook poetry collection. We want you to succeed and we hope each poet will submit a 'final' poem for the collection. There is no requirement to submit, but we think it would be nice to include your poem. Engage and Celebrate Feel free to read and comment on the poems submitted here, but remember, this thread is strictly for finished submissions. Let’s celebrate each other’s work and look forward to an amazing chapbook! Thank you for sharing your poetry and being a part of PoCoChapMo ‘24. We can’t wait to see the beautiful collection we’ll create together!

This is your go-to space for all the creative prompts and valuable resources that will help you through Poetry Cove Chapbook Month 2024. We will be sharing daily prompts designed to spark your creativity and challenge you, the poet, to craft your poems with emotion. Prompts What to Expect: • Daily Prompts: Every day, we’ll share new prompts to inspire your writing. These will include: • Word Prompts: A single word or phrase to inspire your poem. • Image Prompts: A captivating image to evoke your poetic imagination. • Suggested Forms: A specific poetic form or structure to experiment with. These prompts are designed to challenge you, the poet, to craft your poems with emotion. Feel free to interpret them in any way that resonates with you. You can use them to start a new poem, expand on an existing idea, or simply to get your creative juices flowing. Resources To support you in your poetic journey, we’ve compiled a list of resources that you may find helpful: Writing Guides: • How to Write a Chapbook • Poetic Forms and Techniques • Editing and Revising Your Poems Workshops and Events: • Workshop Schedule – Join our virtual workshops for tips, techniques, and feedback. • Q&A Sessions – Participate in live Q&A sessions with experienced poets. Inspiration: • Poetry Reading List – Recommended poetry collections and anthologies. • Online Poetry Communities – Connect with fellow poets and share your work. Helpful Meetings: • August 31: Welcome to the Challenge: In this session, we will review the intents and resources of the challenge; discuss chapbooks; and answer your questions. • September 30: Celebration and Review: A celebration and review of the month; a how-to on working with Canva to format your chapbook into a printable version; if we have time, we can talk about formatting an e-book for Kindle KDP (for example). How to Use This Thread 1. Check Regularly: Visit this thread daily for new prompts. 2. Share Your Work: Feel free to post your poems inspired by the prompts here or in the feedback corner. 3. Explore Resources: Use the resources provided to enhance your writing and chapbook creation process. 4. Engage and Support: Comment on others’ work, offer constructive feedback, and support your fellow poets. Community Contributions Here at The Poetry Cove, we are a community. We believe in the power of collaboration and mutual inspiration. We encourage you to add any prompts that you find inspiring or that you think will benefit others. Whether it’s a word, an image, or a form, your contributions are welcome and appreciated. How to Share Your Prompts: 1. Post Directly: Share your prompt in this thread with a brief description. 2. Engage with Others: Feel free to use prompts shared by fellow poets and give feedback on how they inspired you. We hope these prompts and resources will inspire you and help you achieve your goals for PoCoChapMo ‘24. Let’s get creative and make this a month to remember! Here are some prompts by @Herb Hagell that you might find helpful and inspiring during the challenge. Emotions Breakout Themes: Values:

Hi Covers! When most people think of poetry, they often envision profound emotions, deep reflections, and beautiful imagery. Comedy might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but humour has a special place in the world of poetry too! Have you ever written a funny poem or come across one that made you laugh out loud? How do you incorporate humour into your poetry without losing the essence of the art form? What are some techniques you use to balance wit and poetic expression? Share your favourite humorous poems, whether they're your own or by other poets. Let’s discuss how humour can add a delightful twist to poetry and explore the unique challenges and joys of writing comedic verse. Call to Action: Post your funniest poems and tell us what inspired them. Let's bring some laughter into our community and celebrate the lighter side of verse. Join the conversation and let’s get talking about the role of humour in poetry!