The creative world of the writer is uncovered in this captivating exploration of the techniques of poetry revision. An in-depth look at the writing processes of 54 poems, each by a different modern author, is provided, complete with early drafts, subsequent revised versions, and short essays from the poets themselves revealing how and why they made specific changes, as well as their editing secrets. Poetry lovers will enjoy browsing through their favorite works and authors, and budding writers will learn the skills needed to grow a first draft into a polished final piece.

Robert Hartwell Fiske is the editor of The Vocabula Review, a journal about the English language. He is the author of The Dictionary of Concise Writing, The Dictionary of Disagreeable English, and The Dimwit's Dictionary. He lives in Rockport, Massachusetts. Laura Cherry is the author of What We Planted, winner of the 2002 Philbrick Poetry Award. Her work has appeared in such publications as Agenda, Argestes, Asphodel, and Forklift: Ohio and in the anthology Present Tense. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.