In 1983, Mary Harwell Sayler wrote a home study course in poetry when nothing similar existed then used the material for over 20 years in working with students. In 2005, she revised the correspondence course into Poetry: Taking Its Course -- an 8.5 x 11 paperback that discusses:

I. “A Sense of Purpose” for your poems, including theme, interesting content, and fresh perspective

II. The Language of Poetry found in figurative speech

III. The Significance of Sound in rhyme, rhyme placement, and other interesting sound effects

IV. Rhythm: The Poem’s Heartbeat

V. Traditionally Good Form as found in classical fixed forms and stanzas

VI. Blank Verse Versus Free

VII. Professionalism & Publication session followed by Q&A.

To order an autographed copy, send your name, address, and check for $25.00 (shipping included) payable to Mary Sayler, P. O. Box 62, Lake Como, Florida 32157-0062. (For FL orders, see below.)

Bonus! After you have studied the techniques, traditional forms, and free verse in the book, take a 10% discount on your Poetry Critique.

 Poetry Workshop Leaders, Bookstore Owners, Poetry Classes, and Other Poetry Groups

For 8 copies up mailed to one address and paid with one check (not PayPal), purchase books at $15.00 each then sell at regular price. For 3 to 7 copies (one address, one check), pay $20 each. Postal service will be media-rate, so please allow 2-3 weeks for arrival.

Note To Parents Who Homeschool:

Does your junior or senior high school student show a gift for poetry writing? Poetry: Taking Its Course offers no academic credit but does give your home-schooled child an introduction to poetry forms and poetic techniques. Encourage creativity, too, with one-on-one feedback on each practice session through a student critique. Just identify the work as “Student” and include the age of your home-schooled child.