The Poetry School

The Poetry School does what its title suggests, provides courses on poetry. These vary in length, situation and tutors. Some of their courses are available online as downloads and these include a new range of Short Downloads: Brief bursts of advice about a specific area of craft or inspiration – perfect for breaking open new ideas. These cost 3 pounds sterling each.

I haven't bought any yet but I'm tempted by one entitled The Refrain. How to reclaim the refrain for use in contemporary poetry. Every time I include a refrain one of other of the Writers' Groups throw their hands up to the sky and say - get rid of it, old fashioned! This short course is by Scottish-born poet Paul Batchelor who impressed me when I heard him reading at the Poetry Now Festival a couple of years ago.

Part of Paul's translation of Buile Suibhne is included in the recently published Penguin Book of Irish Poetry, along with translations by Flann O'Brien, Trevor Joyce and Seamus Heaney from the same poem.

They have a monthly newsletter which you can subscribe to.