​Two Sylvias Press Online Poetry Retreat Testimonials

Thank you to the following poets who participated in our Online Poetry Retreats and who generously wrote testimonials!


​Having come to writing poetry fairly recently, the prompts gave me new ways to think about a poem’s creation and content. I am in a regular workshop for the past year, but since it is a fairly small group, the online retreat also allowed me to access fresh eyes on my work and ideas for revisions.
~ Mary Ann Scott (M.A. Scott)
 

If, like me, your favorite writing outfit is p.j.’s, this retreat is for you. And the feedback on two poems was a master lesson in looking at your writing with a jeweler’s loupe to give it a final polish.
~ Susan J. Erickson
 

For this poet, in this particular life at this particular time, your online retreat was stellar. The prompts had a weekly rhythm to them that was, for me, natural and yet extremely challenging. I learned more about myself and about my writing process and about where I could strengthen things, where the wall needed rebuilding, where it needed tearing down, than I have in a long time. Your critique at the end of the sessions of my two poems was extremely useful. Detailed and gentle, informative and constructive. I would do it again in a minute. 
~ Donna Spruijt-Metz, MFA, PhD
 

Thank you so very much for all your hard work in producing the online poetry retreat.
I found it very useful and inspiring. Every day, I copied the day's entry into a notebook.
It's something that I can easily carry around, read and refer to. Thank you!
~ Pat M. Kuras
 
 
The Two Sylvias Press Online Poetry Retreat was an absolute delight. Kelli and Annette provided fresh, engaging prompts accompanied by captivating sample poems. In addition, they kept a steady stream of encouragement going for the duration of the retreat, which helped me move confidently into my manuscript feeling supported, connected, and valued. Their end-of-retreat critiques were insightful, specific, and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to approach writing with greater depth and joy. 
~ Catherine Kyle
 
 
The summer retreat was a wonderful experience for me.  The prompts were challenging, exposing me to writers I had not previously read.  They forced me out of my familiar style of writing, really made me stretch, and I believe, improve.  I would definitely recommend this retreat, and would take it again.
~ Valerie Bacharach
 
 
This was a wonderful month of consistently stimulating poetry prompts that pushed the envelope on my poetic craft and left me with over 30 poems to hone and submit.  Being newly retired, I was able to spend glorious hours indulging my passion. Thank you Two Sylvias Press for the prompts, encouraging messages along the way and your feedback at the end of the month.  
~ Mary Ellen Talley
 
 
I was lucky enough to win this fall’s online poetry retreat giveaway, but I felt doubly lucky when I actually experienced it. Kelli and Annette’s emailed writing prompts visited daily like an encouraging friend. I loved the range of prompts—some called for excavating memories, while others were lighter. Their critique of two poems at the end was also extremely helpful. Those poems are now polished and out for submission. I feel stronger as a poet because of the retreat, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a jump start to their creativity.
~ C. Pappas
 
 
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging comments on my poems! I so appreciate your time and insight. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I registered for the retreat, not having participated in anything like this before. I was hoping it would nudge me out of a writing lull and push me in new directions, and it absolutely delivered. The prompts introduced me to new and excellent poems, pushed me out of my comfort zone (sometimes way out!), and opened many new pathways for me to explore. I ended the retreat with several promising poems and several prompts I am still working on. The little messages of encouragement always seemed to arrive at just the right time, and the deadline to submit two poems for feedback gave me extra motivation. I would love to participate in future retreats!
~ Lindsay Rutherford
 
 
I decided to take the Two Sylvias Press Online Poetry Retreat as a way to reignite my passion for writing poetry and reconnect with my ‘poet’s mind’ after not writing poetry for several years.  The format was perfect for me – it enabled me to work alone and at my own pace while still feeling connected through daily prompts and encouragement. The result: I wrote more poems in that four-week period than I had written in as many years and new poems are still coming. The feedback I received was insightful and improved the poems while still showing respect for the essence of the work.
~ Cathy Jacob
 

To Sign Up for the Two Sylvias Press Online Poetry Retreat, please click here!