Is submitting your poetry and creative writing to literary journals, magazines, and contests actually hurting your career? In this episode of Arts and Offers, Jeff breaks down the hidden costs of traditional publishing submissions and why it might be time to rethink how you share your creative work with the world.From rising submission fees and long response times to gatekeeping, low circulation, and the mental toll of rejection, we explore the real opportunity costs of traditional publishing routes. Learn why building your own audience, self-publishing chapbooks, and taking direct ownership of your artistic platform can lead to greater creative freedom and reach in today's landscape.📌 What We Cover:The true financial and time costs of literary journal submissionsWhy "circulation numbers" rarely translate to genuine readershipGatekeeping and losing creative control over your workThe psychological impact of constant rejections and "slush piles"How poets and writers can start building their own independent platforms⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Why Poets Submit Their Work01:15 - 5 Downsides of Traditional Submissions 01:52 - The Costs Of Poetry Submissions05:13 - The Reality of Readership & Circulation 07:04 - Accessibility, Design Control & Gatekeeping 09:30 - The Motive To Find Change10:35 - The Toxic Mindset of Art as Competition 12:57 - Taking Ownership of Your Creative FutureGet the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPzWelcome to our poetry channel at diVERSES! Whether you're a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just beginning your journey into writing, this discussion will help inform your development in poetry🔍 What You'll Discover:The importance of questioning while reading poetry.Practical tips for asking insightful questions.How questioning enhances comprehension and appreciation.Examples of question-driven analysis applied to popular poems.Strategies for incorporating questioning into your own reading practice.The broader benefits of critical thinking fostered through poetic inquiry.🎓 Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery through the rich landscapes of poetry, where every question unlocks a new layer of meaning and understanding. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your connection with literature and broaden your perspective on life.Let's embark on this poetic journey together and uncover the profound truths that lie within the lines. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!diVERSES was founded by poet Geoff Anderson in Columbus, Ohio to help writers achieve creative and financial independence #poetry #artsANDoffers #diverses

How does Poet Laureate Arthur Sze write a compelling form of poem, a litany? In this episode of Fine Print, we analyze the poem "Here" by Arthur Sze to explore how contrast and grammar can transform your poetry.By looking closely at contrast involving sentence structures, concrete vs. abstract nouns, and verb choices, you'll discover actionable techniques to break predictable rhythms, surprise your reader, and elevate your creative writing.Ever feel like your poem is "good," but it hasn't quite reached its full potential? In diVERSES Fine Print, we dive deep into the professional editing techniques that transform a decent draft into a powerful, resonant work of art. Whether you're a slam poet or writing for the page, these tips will help you sharpen your voice and refine your craft.Get the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYgSee our last Fine Print episode where we looked at a piece by Nobel Prize winner Anne Carson: https://youtu.be/inpp7zB3O1kIn this video, we cover: 00:00 – Introduction: The Poetic Form of the Litany 00:44 – Reading "Here" by Arthur Sze 01:55 – The Power of Contrast in Poetry 02:32 – Complete Sentences vs. Sentence Fragments/Phrases 03:32 – Specific Nouns vs. Impersonal Pronouns05:08 – Mixing Simple and Compound Sentences 06:50 – Varying Sentence Length for Rhythm08:26 – Balancing Concrete Images with Abstract Ideas 09:12 – Strategic Use of Plural Lists 10:30 – Active vs. Stative Verbs 12:02 – Applying Contrast to Your Own WritingSubscribe to diVERSES for more in-depth poetry breakdowns, writing exercises, and craft analysis.

What does it take to receive a $10,000 artist grant? In this episode of Arts & Offers, poet Geoff Anderson breaks down an insider perspective from serving as a community grant reviewer for $10,000 artist project grants. Whether you're a poet, musician, or artist of a different discipline who is looking to fund your next big idea or trying to build a sustainable, independent creative business through grants—understanding how grant committees evaluate applications is critical.Discover the most common mistakes artists make when applying for funding, what winning proposals have in common, and how to position your project for real success.Get the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPzWelcome to our poetry channel at diVERSES! Whether you're a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just beginning your journey into writing, this discussion will help inform your development in poetry🔍 What You'll Discover:The importance of questioning while reading poetry.Practical tips for asking insightful questions.How questioning enhances comprehension and appreciation.Examples of question-driven analysis applied to popular poems.Strategies for incorporating questioning into your own reading practice.The broader benefits of critical thinking fostered through poetic inquiry.🎓 Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery through the rich landscapes of poetry, where every question unlocks a new layer of meaning and understanding. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your connection with literature and broaden your perspective on life.Let's embark on this poetic journey together and uncover the profound truths that lie within the lines. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!diVERSES was founded by poet Geoff Anderson in Columbus, Ohio to help writers achieve creative and financial independence #poetry #artsANDoffers #diverses⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction: The $10,000 Artist Grant Panel00:23 - Arts & Offers: Funding vs. Self-Sustaining Art01:37 - How Community Grant Review Committees Work02:57 - Mistake #1 vs. Success03:48 - Realistic Timelines & Concrete Milestones04:40 - Budget Breakdown: Line Items & Pricing Realism05:33 - Community Impact: Beyond the Art Niche06:37 - Credentials vs. Execution: Why Resume Isn’t Everything07:45 - Scope Creep & Incomplete Event Plans09:13 - Fair Artist Compensation & Budget Feasibility11:15 - Logistics & Venue Confirmation: Avoiding Contingency Traps12:38 - Final Thoughts: Grants vs. Building Your Own Creative Offer📌 Key Takeaways for Artists & Creatives:Prove the Concept First: Small-scale, self-funded iterationsMaster the Timeline: explor the planning leading up to your project or eventBudget with Precision: Avoid vague numbers or disproportionate line itemsBroaden Community Reach: Learn how to engage audiences outside of your immediate circle or artistic discipline.Lock Down Logistics: Have letters of support, venue agreements, and confirmed collaborator commitments ready before you apply.

How should writers, poets, and novelists navigate the ethics of Artificial Intelligence? In this interactive workshop recorded at the Dayton Metro Library for the Author & Writer's Symposium, poet and diVERSES founder Geoff Anderson leads a candid discussion with writers, poets, and editors exploring the boundaries, dilemmas, and creative potential of AI in the writing and publishing industry.Geoff guides writers through a variety of exercises aimed at narrowing down each individual's stance on Ai. From drafting AI submission policies for literary journals to discussing AI detectors, Google search reliability, and the line between a creative tool and a crutch, this session dives deep into how creators can define their own stance on AI.Timestamps / Key Discussion Points:00:00 – Introduction & The Wild West of AI in Art01:52 – Icebreaker: How Are Writers Actually Using AI?03:54 – Search, Accuracy, and Hallucinations: AI vs. Traditional Research06:54 – Workshop Exercise: Drafting an AI Policy for a Literary Journal08:21 – Community Debate: How Much & How To Determine12:12 – Can We Trust AI Detectors? (False Positives & Personal Voice)14:04 – Defining Your Artistic Stance & What Makes You Unique16:08 – Emerging Trends in Publishing & Closing ThoughtsShould literary journals accept AI-generated or AI-assisted submissions?How accurate are AI content detectors on original human writing?Where is the boundary between proofreading/research tools and AI co-authoring?How can writers maintain their unique human perspective in an AI era?Thanks to the Dayton Metro Library, Thurber House, and the conference attendees.Get the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYg#diverses #poetry #

How does poetic form mirror meaning? In this episode of Fine Print, we analyze Nobel Prize For Literature winner Poet Anne Carson’s fascinating poem "Between Us" to see how poets can use structural, typographic, and linguistic choices to reinforce their core themes.In "Between Us," Carson explores the concepts of naming, definitions, and namelessness between humans and the animal world. To match this theme, the poem mimics the technical authority of an encyclopedia or dictionary entry.In this breakdown, we cover 5 key formal techniques you can apply to your own poetry to enhance your use of form:etymology formatting vocabularygrammatical framingpunctuation What techniques did you notice in Anne Carson’s piece? How do you use form to reflect your subjects in your own writing? Let us know in the comments!Ever feel like your poem is "good," but it hasn't quite reached its full potential? In diVERSES Fine Print, we dive deep into the professional editing techniques that transform a decent draft into a powerful, resonant work of art. Whether you're a slam poet or writing for the page, these tips will help you sharpen your voice and refine your craft.New to Fine Print? Every Wednesday at 11AM New York, we take a close look at a single poem to learn more about the craft of poetryGet the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYgSee our last Fine Print episode where we looked at a piece by Paul Laurence Dunbar: https://youtu.be/3rtxC4tTNrMTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to Anne Carson & "Between Us"00:43 - Reading the Poem01:24 - Form as Function: The Dictionary/Encyclopedia Style02:27 - 1. Latin & Etymology03:13 - 2. Justified Formatting & Visual Structure04:15 - 3. Jargon & Technical Vocabulary05:18 - 4. Grammatical Elevation06:16 - 5. Parentheses & Supplementary Examples07:30 - Key Takeaways for Your Own Writing

Poet and content designer Hannah Stevenson joins poet Geoff Anderson in this episode of Pour Over Poems for coffee, poetry, and a deep dive into the craft of writing and UX design.In this episode, Hannah shares her poem "Cowlick" and discusses the surprising overlap between poetry and content design—from stripping away unnecessary words to make meaning resonate, to solving communication problems, guiding the reader’s experience, and the subtle art of titles.Welcome to Pour Over Poems, where host poet Geoff Anderson invites a poet out for coffee to hear one of their poems and then see where the discussion goes. See more Pour Over Poems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbwlCYKx-kIn this video:00:00 - Introduction & Coffee Duty00:44 - Poem Reading: "Cowlick" by Hannah Stevenson02:15 - Why "Cowick"? Fragments and Intention04:50 - The Parallels Between Content Design and Poetry05:50 - Stripping Away Words to Find Meaning09:15 - Problem-Solving in UX vs. Writing from the Inside Out13:36 - The Power of the Pause & Negative Space18:00 - Why Titles and Framing Matter in Poetry21:00 - Writing for an Audience vs. Writing for Everyone#poetry #PourOverPoems #diversesDiverses is dedicated to promoting poetry from multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and under-represented writers.

Are you trying to launch a poetry business or an art business but struggling to get noticed? In this episode of the Creative Companionship Book Club, we’re continuing our deep dive into Seth Godin’s "Unleashing the Ideavirus" to explore how you can spread your art, grow your audience, and build a sustainable creative career both artistically and financially.We discuss examples of marketing done right that enables companies to spread more quickly and easily, as well as the strategies behind their success. We'll also talk about how those concepts apply to my poetry business, diVERSES. Whether you’re a full-time poet or just starting out, understanding how to create an "Idea Virus" is essential for modern marketing.Are you a poet looking to get your work out into the world? In this episode of the diVERSES Creative Companionship Book Club, we dive into Seth Godin’s influential book, Unleashing the Idea Virus, and translate its core marketing principles specifically for the poetry community.Part 1 of Seth Godin's Ideavirus: https://youtu.be/OnFT-PmhhXcPart 2 of Seth Godin's Ideavirus: https://youtu.be/BfFPwvVMbp0Part 3 of Seth Godin's Ideavirus: https://youtu.be/BWQ_TMPPGhgPart 4 of Seth Godin's Ideavirus: https://youtu.be/nKcS5GkqfL4 Part 5 of Seth Godin's Ideavirus: https://youtu.be/mamxNiTg6aMGet the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYg#SethGodin #IdeaVirus #diVERSESWelcome to the Creative Companionship Book Club, where we take business texts and discuss how to use their techniques to create a poetry business we'd be proud to run. *Welcome also to our poetry channel at diVERSES! Whether you're a seasoned poetry enthusiast or just beginning your journey into writing, this discussion will help inform your development in poetry🔍 What You'll Discover:The importance of questioning while reading poetry.Practical tips for asking insightful questions.How questioning enhances comprehension and appreciation.Examples of question-driven analysis applied to popular poems.Strategies for incorporating questioning into your own reading practice.The broader benefits of critical thinking fostered through poetic inquiry.🎓 Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery through the rich landscapes of poetry, where every question unlocks a new layer of meaning and understanding. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your connection with literature and broaden your perspective on life.Let's embark on this poetic journey together and uncover the profound truths that lie within the lines. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!

Wondering how to make a living writing poetry or creating art—even if you feel like you don’t have enough credentials, authority, or credibility? In this session from the Poet Business Institute workbook, The Semester, we break down why you don’t need decades of experience or fame to start helping others and building a livelihood on what you create.Learn how to beat imposter syndrome, leverage the "one step ahead" mindset, and establish genuine trust with your audience using 4 simple pillars of credibility:Plus, discover how pairing your poetry with another unique passion or skill creates an offer that no one else can compete with.00:00 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Questioning Credentials01:08 – The One Step Ahead Mindset02:21 – 1. Awards & Recognition02:50 – 2. Certificates03:50 – Using Exact Metrics & Resume Experience04:33 – 3. Testimonials & Referrals (Leveraging Free Work)05:16 – 4. Demonstrating Knowledge & Skills Publicly06:23 – Combining Poetry With Other Passions for a Unique OfferMore from the Semester from the Poet Business InstituteSee all the videos from the Semester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq8WM0VbKq4&list=PLdlbw-VbM6baqZYsq__SRZU9AABsNUQ5CGet the first 2 modules of our poetry business workbook, The Semester, for FREE: www.diversespoetry.com/instituteGet a free podcast/mp3/audio version: https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5P?si=pGDmsZ_1T9qjWzTR7KQeYg#poetry #PoetBusinessInstitute #diverses diVERSES was founded by poet Geoff Anderson in Columbus, Ohio to help writers achieve creative and financial independence