Brian Bilston: My Writing Poetry Masterclass

Have you always wanted to write poetry
but never quite known where to start?
Then join me on my Writing Poetry masterclass
and learn how to develop your craft.

In just seventy-two ninety-minute lessons,
you will learn the essentials of being a poet,
from standing around awkwardly at parties
to watching clouds as they shift in the sky.

I will teach you how to explore the white space
of the page, and how to explore it again,
before getting up to make another cup of tea
and returning to explore it some more.

We will look at how to use poetry to tackle
some of the big questions – Why am I here?
What does it all mean? What on earth
did I come into this room for in the first place?

Along the way, I will be talking about voice,
rhythm, staring, the white space of the page,
metaphor, cadence, staring, form, creativity,
as well as the page and its white space.


And you will discover how to unharness the power
of your imagination and create striking imagery –
like a poet who creates striking imagery
through the unharnessed power of their imagination.

Finally, we’ll examine the practicalities of being a poet:
how to look fabulous in author photographs;
which paper offers the best white space; and how
best to row about what proper poetry is.

Whether you’re completely new to poetry
or once saw a short film involving Simon Armitage
clambering over a stile while walking in a dale,
this course will have something for you.

Enrol today for just £35 per lesson. Or, to receive
a 20% discount off the subscription price,
why not also sign up for my other masterclass –
How Poetry Can Make You Rich.

Brian Bilston: The Only English Pope

I know this one. It's Adrian the somethingth.
That's a handy piece of knowledge, that is.

Always thought it would come in useful.

For the general knowledge round, obvs,

or the papal picture round, if there is one.

Yeah, real name, Nicholas Breakspear.

You can have that nugget for free.

As a rule, there aren't that many famous Adrians:

Mole, of course. Chiles. Edmondson.

What's that? No, the wall bloke had an H.

Don't know much about the guy beyond that.

I mean, if you were to ask me to expound

on the political advisability of his alliance

with the Byzantine emperor Michael I Komnenos,

I'd look at you askance. Not a clue, mate.

But if it helps, I can tell you the name

of the only Prime Minister to be assassinated.

Spencer Perceval. . What's that?

No, I don't know why. But it's not important -

I doubt there'll be an essay round, mate.