Phillip Turchin

Phillip Turchin, author of THE POETRY WRITING BOOK ( who passed away in 1995), held a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language from Boston University. He spent his Junior year abroad at the University of Leeds in England. He worked on the editorial staff of three publications and taught poetry writing to all age levels. More than a hundred of his poems have been published and he has won the Gold Poet Award from the World of Poetry four times.

The completed manuscript of Phillip Turchin's THE POETRY WRITING BOOK was found over a decade after his passing amidst his papers by his niece, Cere Turchin Dussault, who realized that this work was indeed worthy of publication. Here are some words Phil himself used in reference to THE POETRY WRITING BOOK:

"This book is in two parts; one on poetic creativity and the other on poetic technique. It is is well organized and includes all the standard information needed by a poet in clear and readable terms. It also includes general information which is useful to a poet who is starting out in the art. (Ed. note: In fact, the book is in 3 parts! the 3rd giving suggestions for community and publication).

Page 22 of THE POETRY WRITING BOOK contains an explanation of how Lawrence Durell compares catching a lizard to writing a poem. On page 30 there is an application of ... composer methods to poetry writing techniques. A technique that is unique to this book. On page 32 there is an application of the three brain theory to poetry. The poetic examples given are all worth emulating. Every chapter ends with an applicable exercise (ed. note, or several!)"

Keep your eyes open for a collection of Phil Turchin's poetry, soon to be available on Amazon.