Below is a list of books about writing poetry that Poetry Can would recommend to both experienced poets and those just starting out.

Should you wish to buy or find out more about a recommended book we have provided a link to each book's page on the Amazon UK website for speed of access. But please note you may also find out much more and also purchase books from the websites of the particular poets and/or publishers; or from bookshops; or you may be able to borrow a copy of a recommended book from your local library.

Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms

Oxford Concise Dictionary of Literary Terms  Chris Baldrick 

Oxford University Press 2004

Oxford University Press

Buy here


Robert Frost on Writing

Robert Frost on Writing Elaine Barry

Rutgers University Press, 1973

Rutgers University Press

Buy here


Introduction to English Poetry

Introduction to English Poetry James Fenton

Penguin, 2003

Penguin Books online

Buy here


George Sutherland Fraser

Metre, Rhyme and Free Verse G.S. Fraser

Methuen, 1970

Buy here


Penguin Rhyming Dictionary

The Penguin Rhyming Dictionary Rossalind Fergusson

Penguin, 2004

Penguin Books online

Buy here


Metaphor

Metaphor Terence Hawkes

Methuen, 1972

Buy here


The Redress of Poetry

The Redress of Poetry – Oxford Lectures Seamus Heaney

Faber & Faber, 1995

Faber & Faber

Buy here


The Government of the Tongue

The Government of the Tongue – The 1986 T.S. Eliot Memorial Lectures and Other Critical Writings

Seamus Heaney

Faber & Faber, 1988

Faber & Faber

Buy here


Strong Words

Strong Words: Modern Poets on Modern Poetry ed. by W.N. Herbert and Matthew Hollis

Bloodaxe, 2000

Bloodaxe Books

Buy here


Poetry in the Making

Poetry in the Making Ted Hughes

Faber & Faber, 1967

Faber & Faber

Buy here


How Are Verses Made

How Are Verses Made? Vladimir Mayakovsky

Cape Editions, 1970

Buy here


Findings

Findings Kathleen Jamie

Sort Of Books, 2005

Sort Of Books

Buy here


The Deregulated Muse

The Deregulated Muse Sean O'Brien

Bloodaxe Books, 1997

Bloodaxe Books

Buy here

 

Quote Poet Unquote

Quote Poet Unquote edited by Dennis O'Driscoll

Copper Canyon Press, 2008

Copper Canyon Press

Buy here

 

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones: Interviews with Seamus Heaney Dennis O'Driscoll

Faber & Faber, 2009

Faber & Faber

Buy here


52 Ways of Looking at a Poem

52 Ways of Looking at a Poem Ruth Padel

Chatto and Windus, 2002

Chatto and Windus

Buy here


The Poem and the Journey

The Poem and the Journey Ruth Padel

Chatto and Windus, 2007

Chatto and Windus

Buy here

 

Art in the Light of Conscience

Art in the Light of Conscience: Eight Essays on Poetry Marina Tsvetaeva

Bloodaxe Books, 2010

Bloodaxe Books

Buy here

 

Write Poetry and Get it Published

Write Poetry and Get It Published John Hartley Williams and Matthew Sweeney

Teach Yourself 2010

Teach Yourself

Buy here

 

The Writers Handbook

The Writer's Handbook

Macmillan

The Writers Handbook

Buy here


Writers and Artists Yearbook

The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook

A & C Black

The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook

Buy here