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How a Poem Can Happen

A book of unusual, in-depth interviews with 21 extraordinary poets

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How a Poem Can Happen

How a Poem Can Happen

How a Poem Can Happen

How a Poem Can Happen

How a Poem Can Happen

A book of unusual, in-depth interviews with 21 extraordinary poets

A book of unusual, in-depth interviews with 21 extraordinary poets

A book of unusual, in-depth interviews with 21 extraordinary poets

A book of unusual, in-depth interviews with 21 extraordinary poets

Andrew Kuhn
Andrew Kuhn
Andrew Kuhn
Andrew Kuhn
1 Campaign |
Katonah, United States
$5,071 USD 86 backers
144% of $3,500 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
How do poets experience a poem, when it comes to life? In myriad fascinating ways, as we discover in How a Poem Can Happen: Conversations With 21 Extraordinary Poets. Psychologist and poet Andrew Kuhn asked challenging questions of world-class poets--each of whom read for the Katonah Poetry Series--and rewards readers with their reflective, intriguing, surprising answers. Now collected at book length with foreword by Billy Collins, we need your help to publish it in a quality paperback edition.

What does it take to make a really good book?

Smart people passionate about a compelling topic--and an audience equipped to appreciate and willing to support it. We have the first part covered: twenty-one world-class poets talking about what they know and love best, in fascinating, unusual ways. What we need is the second part of the equation. We need you.

Print-on-demand technology has revolutionized the publishing industry, making small runs of non-blockbuster books economically viable, especially when there’s dedicated volunteer labor to help make it happen. But there are still upfront costs—for design and layout, permissions, printing, shipping.  We have invested hundreds of hours of sweat equity in this project, gambling that sufficient demand will be there to make this a break-even proposition, or even, best-case scenario, a modest money maker for the Katonah Poetry Series, for whom all of these poets read. 

These poets include three Poet Laureates of the United States--Billy Collins, Robert Pinsky, Kay Ryan. And many other distinguished authors of multiple award-winning collections, like Paul Muldoon, Alan Shapiro, Ellen Bass. (See the full list below). 

Advance readers are enthusiastic. 

“Andy Kuhn’s questions become conversations that, one by one, deeply engage and enlighten.  With major poets so forthright about their craft, you’ll wish you were in the room.  At the very least keep How a Poem Can Happen close at hand.  It’s simply a gem of a book.”
---Alexander Neubauer, author of Poetry in Person: 25 Years of Conversation with America's Poets (Knopf, 2010)

"While asking (and answering) questions about process, influences and the writerly life may seem easy, it’s really about letting the conversation go toward the unexpected, the uncharted. These interviews give us insight into one of the most difficult jobs to describe: the poetic mind and its workings. And Kuhn has just the right touch—after reading, we readers receive “the poet” as an even more human, and humane, artist."
Sophie Cabot Black, author of The Exchange: Poems  (Greywolf, 2013)

Release our matching funds, and help commemorate a 50th anniversary

Not coincidentally, the Katonah Poetry Series is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Billy Collins has helped lead the series for the past 25 years, and he has written the foreword for the book. He and other leading patrons of the arts have come forward with seed money and generous matching grants to help make this commemorative volume a reality. All we need to do is raise $3500 to release those funds and put us over the top. Which is where you, dear reader, dear backer, come in . . . . 

Poets interviewed in the book. 

  • Mary Jo Bang
  • Ellen Bass
  • Jill Bialosky
  • Daniel Brown
  • Billy Collins
  • George Bilgere
  • Jim Daniels
  • Carol Ann Davis
  • Michael Dickman
  • Jessica Greenbaum
  • Matthea Harvey
  • Paul Muldoon
  • Aimee Nezhukumatathil
  • Dennis Nurkse
  • Kathleen Ossip
  • Robert Pinsky
  • Katha Pollitt
  • Kay Ryan
  • David St. John
  • Alan Shapiro
  • Christian Wiman
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Choose your Perk

Autographed copy

$25 USD
Quality paperback first edition of How A Poem Can Happen: 21 Conversations with Extraordinary Poets, autographed by Billy Collins and author Andrew Kuhn
Included Items
  • How A Poem Can Happen
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
27 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Project Patron Acknowledgement

$50 USD
Fifty dollars to commemorate 50 years of great poetry! In the printed book, receive acknowledgement as a named Project Patron. Or give in honor of someone near and dear to you.
Included Items
  • Project Patron
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
8 claimed

Billy Collins signed print

$75 USD
Signed, numbered, limited edition letterpress broadside print of Billy Collins' poem "The Lanyard." Look up the poem, read it aloud if you can get to the end without bursting into tears, and see if you agree that this would make the ultimate Mother's Day gift.
Included Items
  • Signed print of B.Collins poem
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
11 out of 75 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

Exclusive book-launch party

$100 USD
Come to a festive launch party in Brooklyn or Katonah, NY (you get to choose . . . or choose both!) with wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, poetry, maybe dancing. Come see what develops! Collect your copy of the book at the party . . .
Included Items
  • How A Poem Can Happen
  • Book-launch party invitation
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
6 claimed

Poetry workshop

$125 USD
Dig into a four hour poetry workshop and catered lunch with Andrew Kuhn and Leisha Douglas in Katonah, NY. There will be an in-depth study of poems by one poet interviewed for the book, followed by guided exercises to write your own poetry. Minimum 4 participants, maximum 8.
Included Items
  • How A Poem Can Happen
  • Poetry Workshop
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
1 out of 8 of claimed

Dine out with a KPS poet

$150 USD
After a reading at the Katonah Poetry Series in the 2017-2018 season, join him or her and a few other friends of poetry at an intimate dinner out on the town. Maximum of 2 available per poet (per dinner).
Included Items
  • How A Poem Can Happen
  • Dine out with a famous poet
Estimated Shipping
May 2018
0 out of 8 of claimed

Poetry Angel

$500 USD
Go the whole nine yards! Be a Poetry Angel, acknowledged as such in the Acknowledgements section of the book, and enjoy all the perks available--a signed copy of How A Poem Can Happen; poetry workshop in Katonah; dinner out with a famous KPS poet; a numbered, signed print of Billy Collins' "The Lanyard"; both NYC AND Katonah book launch parties.
Included Items
  • Signed print of B.Collins poem
  • How A Poem Can Happen
  • Poetry Workshop
  • Dine out with a famous poet
  • Book-launch party invitation
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
0 out of 4 of claimed

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