Routes and Side Routes

Bookstores (56)

Whether they serve as venues for reading performances or as brokers to our private libraries, bookstores consecrate our pleasure of reading books and are the secular temples where we often discover the poetry we care about.

Forum: What are your favourite bookstores?

Online Booksellers (24)

Many online booksellers, whether selling new or used books, have opened up their databases for reader response, offering not just books but written dialogue about them.

Forum: What are your favourite bookstores?

Contests and Prizes (23)

Get some recognition... Feed your cat. Here are links to contest directories as well as to major awards and prizes.

(Looking for magazine contests? Try the links on the Magazines and Journals route, or travel to one of the contest directories listed here.)

Fairs and Festivals (57)

To be in the midst of one of these fairs or festivals, or perhaps just perusing the sampling of this list, you might just get the feeling that poetry and literature are now flourishing.

Conferences and Academic Forums (9)

Upcoming and past conferences and academic forums. Some happen annually. Many have online archives of what surfaced or what went down.

Foundations and Grants (14)

The debate continues as to the role, good or bad, of grants in the health of the literary arts. Deleterious effects can stem from long reliance on handouts. Yet foundations earmark their funds for literary arts because the founders believe in the lasting value of those arts and recognize that some worthwhile artistic endeavors hinge on risk and investment and may need a boost of sponsorship to succeed.

So, in answer to the spirit of the offer—go for it.

Libraries and Archives (58)

Listed are libraries and archives that have a physical collection of poetry books, audiotape, cds, cdroms, videos, and dvds, and that are open to the public, either free or with membership.

Also scope out the side route of Online Archives.

Online Archives (44)

Watch out! before you wander too far. Is the laundry through the spin cycle? Is your cat hungry?

As an interesting socio-historical development, many of these collections are offered without fee and without institutional support.

Literary Directories (123)

Along this route or its side routes find comprehensive sets of links related to poetry and literature as well as directories to poets and writers of the past and present.

Forum: Interested in Arc's Forgotten and Neglected issue, coming out in June of 2007? The deadline for proposals has passed, but after browsing these directories you might want to propose forgotten Canadian poets, now deceased, whose poetry we can revel in and laud.

20th Century Anthologies (5)

These anthologies were made in the 20th century, including many fin de si&eagrave;cle. Also listed will be bibliographies of 20th century poetry anthologies.

21st Century Anthologies (24)

Surely the anthology is an art unto itself. Listed are anthologies published in the 21st century, which doesn't necessarily mean they are comprised of 21st century poets and writers. However, they do tell stories about the aesthetic values of 21st century anthologists.

Bibliographies (3)

Poetry-related bibliographies.

Poets of the Past (18)

These directories aren't always accurate on the dead or alive question. At least some of the poets listed in these directories have left this planet and can no longer share the pleasure of their conversation. Drats. However, if there are poets who meet this criterion and also happen to be Canadian, then they qualify as contenders for Arc's Forgotten and Neglected honour.

Forum: Interested in Arc's Forgotten and Neglected issue, coming out in June of 2007? The deadline for proposals has passed, but after browsing these directories you might want to propose forgotten Canadian poets, now deceased, whose poetry we can revel in and laud.

Poets of the Present (26)

Listed are current directories to contemporary poets.

See also the 21st Century Anthologies side route.

Magazines and Journals (68)

Listed are printed literary journals, some of which may publish selections online.

On the Glossies side route, find culture mags that include tasters of poetry. On the Tabloids side route, keep up with lit news, events, and reviews. Also check out Online Journals and e-Zines and other side routes to New Media.

Glossies (6)

In these glossy culture mags, the poetry doesn't take up much space but still commands attention.

Online Archived Past Journals (5)

These journals are no longer in production, but are being archived online.

Tabloids and Newspapers (8)

Newsprint magazines, newspapers, and the occasional online daily or weekly. What's happening? Downtown nightlife including the poetry scenes. What's just been published? The world of books. Some newsprint tabloids have a simultaneous online presence.

Writing Market Publications (5)

Listed are print and online magazines or books that offer tips on writing or index markets, contests, magazines or publishers.

New Media Poetry (169)

Listed are poetry related sites that identify as "new media" venues or that champion "new media poetry" as an emerging art form with its own distinct aesthetic criteria.

Side routes boast sites that are also involved in aspects of new media, including Online Journals and e-Zines, Online Audio, Online Video, and e-Books. New media encompasses a wide gamut. See also Poetry Weblogs.

(Note: Each new media site is located as "International", unless it claims a more regional allegiance.)

Poll: What's your choice of implement to compose poetry?

Online Audio (39)

Listed are sites that offer mp3s, Real Audio files, or podcasts—free or by subscription.

Online Coded (5)

Listed are sites that include some programmed or coded poems (as opposed to say Flash poems). DHTML, VRML— tell us what else you are using.

Poll: What's your choice of implement to compose poetry?

Online Flash (9)

Proprietary, exclaim the open source shamans. But before purging, consider the rival call to "decide for yourself". There do seem to be some practitioners who are taking the format beyond commercial glitz.

Online Journals and e-Zines (46)

The rep of online jounals is on the rise. Many offer enticing advantages over print journals.

You might also meander to the Online Archives side route to Libraries and Archives.

Online Video (10)

Listed are sites and portals where you can view online poetry videos.

Poetry on Disc or Tape (9)

DVDs, CDROMs, CDs, videos, cassettes, et cetera.

Electronic data packaged as things! To have and to hold, for better for worse.

Renunciation of New Media (4)

It might be worth weighing the critiques levelled against the cultural embrace of electronic technology and of new media poetry as an art form. Will an emerging art be more durable if it appreciates its own limits? (All maps must have exits).

Poll: What's your choice of implement to compose poetry?

Social Networks (9)

Listed are some Web 2.0 social networking portals to blogs, bookmarks, or news tagged "poetry".

Web 2.0 epitomizes the 21st century version of the gossip wheel. What are people saying now?

e-Books (14)

e-Books come in a variety of formats and can be read with a variety of computers and handheld gadgets. Some e-Books have moving images and sound in addition to text. Alas, page turning just isn't the same as with the printed and bound.

News, Events and Email Lists (37)

Listed are sites with literary news and event calendars as well as email lists (ie. email newsletters) that you can subscribe to for literary news and event announcements.

Events by Venue (13)

Pubs, clubs, bookstores, libraries, and coffee houses with an event web calendar or newsletter.

Poet Websites (71)

Curious about the oeuvre of poets you're reading or hearing perform? Listed are websites promoting the published or recorded work of individual poets. See also Literary Directories and Poetry Weblogs. (To browse sites by the last name or stage name of the poet, try the Poet List.)

If you'd like to add your site or recommend an official site of a published poet, send us the URL. Add a short paragraph intro if you like.

Poet Tributes (20)

Websites about individual poets. Fan sites, reference sites, critical forums, celebrations. This route lists sites by the name of the site. (To browse sites by the last name or stage name of the poet, try the Poet List.)

Poets with Gardens (3)

(A map must have gardens).

Poetry Appreciation (45)

Libraries, schools, and arts councils have traditionally promoted the appreciation of poetry in communities. Festivals share the pleasure between communities, bringing in writers from out of town or country. Heard any unintended poems you want to share?

Poetry Weblogs (29)

Millions out there. One emerging method to find poetry-related or critical weblogs you might like is by hiking over to web 2.0 portals tagged "poetry"— which you can find on the Social Networks route. See also New Media.

Listed is a tiny sample of the blogs out there (and admittedly with a geographic bias towards bloggers living in and around Ottawa). Posting preference is given to thematic blogs over personal random blogs. (See Poet Websites for sites promoting the work of individual poets. Or, to browse blogs and sites by the last name or stage name of the poet, try the Poet List.)

Professional Organizations (51)

Advancing the cause. Have you something to profess? For all the healthy infusions of anarchy, many professions also inject vibrancy into the poetry ecology. Organizations champion both the rights and responsibilities of their professional members.

Arts Councils (3)

Arts councils and arts alliances. Reaching from the Canada Council of the Arts, to provincial arts councils, to regional arts councils, and to community arts councils (or is it the other way around?), arts councils have nurtured poetry and other arts and encouraged collaborations of artists working in different mediums. They continue to adapt to cultural changes and new expectations in order to keep the arts thriving.

Publishing Organizations (7)

Organizations that support the publishing of books and magazines.

Writers' Federations and Guilds (18)

Federations, guilds, associations, leagues, and alliances of writers.

Publishers (75)

Listed are publishers that publish full length manuscripts of poetry or poetry criticsim as printed books. See also Chapbook Publishers.

Some publishers have also ventured into other media. Peruse Poetry on Disc or Tape side route to New Media to get an idea how publishing is being transformed.

Chapbook Publishers (13)

Listed are publishers that publish chapbooks, but not necessarily chapbooks exclusively.

Multimedia Publishers (6)

Multimedia Publishers may also publish books, but they're listed here because they produce or publish audio CDs or multimedia CDROMs or DVDs or film or video.

See also Poetry on Disc or Tape for places to find multimedia.

Print on Demand (POD) Technology (4)

When a book is printed after your order is placed, you've just subscribed to the Print on Demand (POD) system. Sometimes associated with self-publishing or vanity publishing, POD is increasingly being used by some trade publishers. Some authors will submit their manuscripts, for ecologic tree-saving reasons, to a trade publisher (with full manuscript selection, editoral, design, and promotion processes) that uses POD at time of delivery. And some established authors have been known to choose POD presses/printers for better author returns per copy sold.

Listed are both literary publishers that use POD or have a POD option and POD presses/printers who you as an author could purchase POD and related services from. Binding quality and other production values can vary, so get your hands on recent books printed on demand by the publisher or printer when doing your research.

Radio and Television (12)

Barely dipping into the well with this list but it's a start. Listed are radio and television programs or series with a literary bent.

Reading Series (29)

Featured writers, open mikes, spoken word events, slams. Initmate live audiences in cafes, bars, bookstores, galleries.

Resources for Poets and Writers (134)

Cultural Advocacy (22)

Hopefully, this list will expand to show a variety of ways to advocate for arts and culture and to recognize different roles poets play in their communities.

International Exchanges (17)

With international exchanges we not only learn about the other countries' literatures, we learn about our own through their mirrors. Listed are both travel and virtual opportunities to meet writers from other countries and/or bioregions and exchange literary ideas.

See also Fairs and Festivals.

Internships (2)

Work experiences to be relished.

Manuscript Reading Services (9)

Manuscript evaluation, coaching, editing, proofreading, formatting—experienced writers and editors offer many professional services to help get a manuscript ready to meet a publisher.

Online Reference Desk (5)

Residencies (10)

Opportuniites for writers to not only do their own writing but also act as mentors for others at libraries, communities, and universities.

Retreats (7)

Not exactly vacations. Many a fine book made it over the hump at one of these "working" retreats.

University and other Schools (18)

Ready to continue your education as a student, or teacher, or artist-as-researcher, get credit or get paid? Listed are some opportunities. There's overlap with the Workshops and Writing Groups route, but here, besides creative writing programs, you'll also find cultural studies, interdisciplinary studies, mythology studies, English and translation programs, publishing programs and other possible fits for the poetry hooked.

Resources for Teachers, Youth and Kids (33)

Reading, writing, and learning about poetry and spoken word. Getting hooked—inside and outside the classroom. K to college.

Spoken Word (34)

And let's include performance poetry in all its variety.

Forum: Heard any unintended poems you want to share?

Thematic (23)

Listed are poetry-related sites devoted to particular themes, styles, forms, or genres. For now, no attempt is being made on this route to divvy up the themes into side routes. Hopefully (once it gets fleshed out) this page will hint at the diversity of our poetic pursuits.

Theory, Criticism and Reviews (67)

Tending and pruning the foliage, critics, reviewers, and theorists are the indispensable arborists in the poetry wilderness. Print journals, newpapers, and online sources mingle together along this route.

Online Peer Review Forums, with their enthusiastic commenting, can also sharpen the synapses and shape the discourse.

Movements and Moments (13)

These sites take up particular movements or moments of poetry, or particular eras. Living histories. Ahistorical stances. And other nodes on imagination's spiral.

Online Peer Review Forums (10)

Eclectic and experimental, the online peer review forum has yet to converge on a standard. They may mimic online bulletin boards, blogs, or wikis. They may be open, or require membership to view or post. Each arena has its own social and critical atmosphere with some bent toward cheerleading, others toward the acerbic. Each has its own rules. They raise an interesting question: what constitutes "publication"? The prevailing view is that a poem isn't considered published if posted in such a forum, and yet some of the poems posted receive massive readership (often travelling further to prominent publication and critical appreciation.)

If the concept appeals to you, try a few before deciding on the one that seems fit to lift your arc as a poet (and critic).

Translation (20)

Listed are translation programs, translation services, and a few of the many collaborations resulting in poetry manuscripts where English shared space with another language.

Workshops and Writing Groups (39)

Listed are workshops, summer classes, writing groups and literary clubs where writers or students meet to hone their craft. Some are formal, involving applications and paid registrations; others are informal, comprised of writing friends who've held it together long enough to call themselves something.

Regions and Bioregions

Bioregional General (2)

Listed are websites and sources reflecting a "bioregional" approach to literature, as championed by poet Gary Snyder and others before him.

National Capital Region (52)

Home of the Arc Poetry Society. Ottawa and Gatineau. The place of portage at the confluence of the Rideau, Gatineau and Ottawa Rivers.