Need a Spark? Two Sylvias Press Newsletter
Join Us for a Class with Carolyn Forché! The Advent Calendar of Poetry Prompts is Back!
Hello Friends,
We’re grateful for your support of Two Sylvias Press! As winter approaches and the days grow colder, we would love to give you a spark of creative energy. We’re thrilled to share what’s new at Two Sylvias: our Online Advent Calendar of Poetry Prompts is back, the Weekly Muse is excited to offer classes with Carolyn Forché and Dorianne Laux, and the Wilder Series Poetry Prize is accepting submissions. If you want a little extra inspiration, jump into the poetry prompt at the conclusion of our newsletter!
Need Some Creative Distraction? Write 31 Poems in December!
THE 2024 ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR of POETRY PROMPTS IS BACK!
It's become a tradition! Write 31 new poems in December with us! Each day a new surprise prompt is revealed with a click!
Our online virtual Advent Calendar is easy to use—simply click on the calendar date and a prompt appears. Each prompt is a small paragraph guiding you with ideas and suggestions for a new poem.
Once you open a prompt, it remains accessible, so no problem if you skip a day or two—the prompts will be waiting for you. The calendar and all of the prompts will be available through the month of January. You will receive an access code for the Advent Calendar's web page at the end of November. Your daily surprise prompts are ready for you to click on December 1st.
Please visit our Two Sylvias website for more info on signing up: https://twosylviaspress.com/advent-calendar-prompts.html
Subscribe to The Weekly Muse!
We invite you to sign up for the bestselling resource for poets, The Weekly Muse! Become a paid subscriber to receive weekly poetry prompts, submission opportunities, and join us for our FREE Zoom classes/discussions with:
Carolyn Forché (January 2025: Craft Talk on Creative Process and Q&A)
Dorianne Laux (Spring 2025: Generative Writing Class/Prompts and Q&A)
Gloria J. McEwen Burgess (November 21, 2024: Creating a Children’s Book)
Lana Hechtman Ayers (December 19, 2024: Writing Poems Inspired by Other Poets)
We have upcoming workshops in 2025 with Luisa A. Igloria, Ruben Quesada, Susan Rich, Kelli Russell Agodon, Melissa Studdard, Jane Wong, and Elena Karina Byrne. And more exciting names to come!
Become a paid subscriber to participate in our lineup of inspiring classes and discussions on Zoom!
What is the Two Sylvias Weekly Muse?
Each Sunday morning in your inbox you will receive:
Insider Info on Navigating the Publishing World
Where to Submit Your Work—a list of reputable journals and book/chapbook prizes that are currently open for submissions
FREE Zoom Classes and Exclusive Discussions with Notable Poets and Writers
A Poetry/Creativity Exercise and a Poetry Prompt
Ask the Editors Column and Exclusive Interviews with Well-Known Poets
Inspiration and Helpful Tips on Living Life as a Creative Person—the latest information and studies on creativity, art, and writing
An Optional Facebook Group providing Community Support
The Weekly Muse has become an integral part of my writing routine. I can't emphasize enough the benefits of committing for the year. The consistent support, resources, and community have been invaluable. If you really care about your poetry, get the yearly subscription. ~ Fatima Z., Poet and Weekly Muse Subscriber
We invite you to read a recent issue of the Weekly Muse (Issue 129: Oct. 13, 2024) free of charge. We hope you enjoy it! Please click below to read the Muse:
https://twosylviaspress.substack.com/p/two-sylvias-weekly-muse-october-13
Our goal at the Weekly Muse is to provide a comprehensive toolkit for poets and to foster a sense of community and support for writers of all levels. Join us and make your writing life a priority!
Become a paid subscriber below and/or give a gift subscription to a poet friend!
The Wilder Poetry Book Prize is Open for Submissions!
Are you a woman poet born in 1974 or before?
Enter the Two Sylvias Press WILDER PRIZE: a poetry book contest for women over 50!
The Wilder Series Book Prize is open to women poets over 50 (established or emerging poets) and includes a $1000 prize and publication by Two Sylvias Press.
Women submitting manuscripts may be poets with one or more previously published chapbooks/books or poets without any prior chapbook/book publications.
Previous winners of the Wilder Prize: Carmen Gillespie, Adrian Blevins, Dana Roeser, Erica Bodwell, Gail Martin, Michelle Bitting, Gail Griffin, Tiffany Midge, and Eve Alexandra.
Submission Dates: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31
Please read complete guidelines here: https://twosylviaspress.com/wilder-series-poetry-book-prize.html
We look forward to reading your manuscript!
Poetry Prompt!
Red, Red Wine… Stay Close to Me
Persian writer Omar Khayyam famously said that happiness and contentment for him was simply a book of verses underneath a bough, a jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou. As a play on Khayyam’s quote, write a poem that mentions a specific book of poems (a book of verses) a type of wine (a jug of wine), a kind of bread (a loaf of bread), and a specific person (and thou). For instance, you might mention Leaves of Grass, Pinot Noir, sourdough, and Frida Kahlo. As you write your poem, directly address it to the “thou” you have chosen, which could be a famous person, a fictional character, a stranger, or someone significant in your life. Consider writing your piece in couplets.
Thank you so much for your support of our small press!
Please visit our Two Sylvias website: https://twosylviaspress.com/index.html
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Contact: twosylviaspress@gmail.com
Happy Writing!
Kelli & Annette
Kelli Russell Agodon & Annette Spaulding-Convy
Cofounders & Coeditors of Two Sylvias Press
As usual rich and helpful comments. Nancy Shiffrin https://www.NancyShiffrin.net
I keep trying to upgrade, and the site has rejected two payment cards.