Poetry: Taking Its Course

The Poetry Editor, Mary Sayler wrote a poetry home study course in 1983
when nothing similar existed then used the material for 20 years in working
with other poets. In 2004, she revised the poetry correspondence course into
the traditionally published book Poetry: Taking Its Course to include:

I. “A Sense of Purpose” as in a theme you might enhance as you revise

II. The Language of Poetry in figurative speech

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

IV. Rhythm: The Poem’s Heartbeat

V. Traditionally Good Form as found in patterns of metered and syllabic verse

VI. Blank Verse Versus Free to show the differences

VII. Professionalism & Publication with a Q&A section

Each chapter ends with a session that helps you to put what you learn into
practice. In addition, these assignments can become your own private tutoring
session or one-on-one poetry workshop with Mary if you order a Poetry Critique

Poetry: Taking Its Course - What Do Other Writers Say?

“As an author and speaker, I have taught writing and poetry workshops. I found
Mary Sayler's book, Poetry: Taking Its Course to be a fine text for teaching poetry.
It held useful information for poets at all levels, from the beginner to established poet. My class not only bought the book each year, but recommended it to friends. She is a gifted poet, and her work attests to her skills as a writer.”

“I hear from poets or would-be poets regularly, but there are only a few of those with
the talent and know-how for writing poetry that is publishable. Mary Sayler is one of
those. She not only writes great poetry herself, she's spent years teaching others.

Sally Stuart, Christian Writers Market Guide 

"I had just gotten serious about writing, and I knew I needed guidance, direction, and
instruction. And God sent me Mary Sayler. I didn't even have a computer back then.
The course I took was excellent... and helped me to focus. With Mary's instruction and encouragement, I went on to have my first bylines... only a year after I got serious about writing. Mary was an answer to prayer. I don't know where I'd be today if I hadn't taken that first course from her."

Michelle (Pennsylvania)   

Poetry Chapbooks
by Mary Sayler

The traditional poetry and free verse in Speaking Peach portray life in the1950's
South. Poems in the Winning The Wars chapbook are based on letters from Mary's
father during WWII. For your autographed copy of either chapbook mailed in the

U.S., send $10 per chapbook or $25 for any 3 chapbooks in U.S. funds only to:

Mary Sayler, P.O. Box 62, Lake Como, FL 32157-0062