Marilyn On Writing

How to Read a Poem Aloud

Poetry began as an oral art and, with the exception perhaps of concrete poetry, it needs to be heard.  But, whether it’s poetry for adults or for kids, it’s not always so easy to read poetry well aloud.  Here are some tips on how to do it.

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A Deck of Children’s Poets

Besides the wonderful Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, there are many other excellent children’s poets.  Here’s a list of fifty-two of them.  Look up their books!

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What Is a Short Story?

At the time I compiled this, I had edited two collections of short stories: STAY TRUE: Short Stories for Strong Girls (Scholastic) and I BELIEVE IN WATER: Twelve Brushes with Religion (HarperCollins). The contributors to these two anthologies and several editors from different publishing houses attempted to answer this perennial question. Included are comments by Gregory Maguire, Jacqueline Woodson, M.E. Kerr, Virginia Euwer Wolff and many others.

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What Makes a Good Poem?

In 2002, I asked a group of authors, editors, and other book people this question. Here are their responses, along with some recommended titles. There are answers from Jane Yolen, Nikki Grimes, J. Patrick Lewis, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Naomi Shihab Nye, Paul Janeczko and many others.

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No More Piranhas!: Editors’ Thoughts on Conferences

Published in Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market, 2003

Have you heard the one about the editor at a writer’s conference? She’d been “on” for hours and was enjoying a much-needed moment of privacy in the bathroom. Then, from the adjacent stall, came an eager voice. “Hi,” it said. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. Let me tell you about this picture book I’ve written…”

Truth or urban legend? Well, maybe a bit of both. But the fact is with more and more publishing houses closing transoms to unsolicited manuscripts and more and more “pre-published” writers desperate for entrée, this kind of story isn’t far-fetched. Only slightly less dramatic stories have been verified, and they demonstrate the real frustration editors have with conferences.

Because of these tales, I decided to ask a number of editors what they like and dislike about these events. It’s my hope that both writers and organizers will benefit from their responses.

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