Writing Poetry Writing Poetry with Dan Hogan

online

Writing Poetry

w/ Dan Hogan

Explore the fundamentals of poetic craft in this practical online course with award-winning poet, Dan Hogan. Delivered over eight weeks, participants will be taken through a series of workshops designed to illuminate the many tools that we unconsciously utilise in writing, and showcase how to use them with greater intent, to greater impact.

Wednesdays 6.30pm – 8.30pm (AEST)
15 October – 3 December 2025

Online

All abilities

$820 or $102.50 per week for 8 weeks

$697 or $87.13 per week (alumni) for 8 weeks

Book Now

Join acclaimed poet Dan Hogan to explore the fundamentals of poetic craft in this practical course. Delivered over eight weeks, participants will be taken through a series of workshops designed to illuminate the many tools that we unconsciously utilise in writing, and showcase how to use them with greater intent, to greater impact.

You will be part of a supportive learning environment designed to get you started – or re-started – on your journey to writing and publishing poetry.

Using examples from classic and contemporary poetry, we will discuss the components that make up great writing, isolating various techniques to gain a more sophisticated understanding of what makes great poems work, and how to apply that to your own poems.

The course will be delivered over 8 weeks: 4 weeks of coursework on image, sound, and line, as well as workshopping participants’ work, followed by 4 weeks focused on form, revision, and publication pathways.

By the end of the course you will have:

Gained an understanding of important poetic techniques and forms;
Bolstered your abilities and interest in writing poetry;
Received constructive and rigorous feedback from your tutor and peers on two poems, so that you can measure your improvement.

Your course includes:

8 weeks of 2-hour evening tutorials
A complimentary copy of a recent Faber & Faber poetry publication
Feedback from your tutor and peers on at least two poems
On completion of the course, alumni discounts on future Faber Writing Academy courses and books from the Allen & Unwin Website

Please note this course will be delivered online and all times refer to Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Writers you'll be working with:

Dan Hogan

Dan Hogan is the author of Secret Third Thing (Cordite, 2023), which won the Five Islands Prize and Mary Gilmore Award, and was named one of the ‘best 25 Australian books of 2023’ by The Guardian. Dan’s poetry has been recognised by the Peter Porter Poetry Prize, Judith Wright Poetry Prize, XYZ Prize, and Val Vallis…

Course outline

Session 1: Wednesday 15 October
Why poetry?
In this class, we will undertake a broad overview of poetry. What defines poetry? Where does a poem come from? What does a poem achieve? We will consider several perspectives on poetry, and undertake some generative writing exercises in-session.

Session 2: Wednesday 22 October
The sounds of poetry
How do we listen to a poem? What do we hear? How do we make meaningful representations of sound in a poem? What does sound achieve in a poem?

Session 3: Wednesday 29 October
The poetic line
What is the poetic line? How do poets decide where to begin and end a line of poetry? We will read some published poems, and consider various possibilities of the poetic line and their effects on the reader and on meaning.

Session 4: Wednesday 5 November
Poetic imagery
What role does imagery play in a poem? How does a poet utilise figurative language to achieve tone, texture and meaning? How do we move from the abstract to the concrete?

Session 5: Wednesday 12 November
The forms of poetry
We begin to consider some given forms of poetry: how can constraint and structure help mould a poem. We will discuss some forms of poetry and undertake some writing exercises to explore form.

Session 6: Wednesday 19 November
Workshopping session
Participants will have a chance to workshop a draft of their poems with feedback from the tutor and other participants.

Session 7: Wednesday 26 November
Workshopping session
Participants will have a chance to workshop a draft of their poems with feedback from the tutor and other participants.

Session 8: Wednesday 3 December
The art of revision & Pathways to publication
The first draft of a poem is just that—a first draft. What are some of the ways we can revise and refine our work? How do we know when a poem is ‘finished’? We will examine and practice some techniques of revision and learn how to incorporate this into our writing practice.

Finally, we will address the practicalities around getting your work published. What are some of the possibilities around sharing your work? We will also discuss the various ways in which poets can maintain a writing practice over time, and how poetry can connect you with a broader writing community.

How to Book

This course has one scholarship place available for a writer who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend. Applications from people who identify as diverse (eg. Indigenous, minority ethnic background, LGBTIQA, living with disability) are especially welcome.

To apply, please submit a link to a published poem, along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the course, and how you would benefit from the scholarship. Please address applications to Pip Smith at faberwritingacademy@allenandunwin.com, with the subject line ‘Scholarship Application: Writing Poetry’.

Applications for this scholarship will close on Tuesday 9 September, 2025.

HOW TO PAY:

Please note that if you select ‘monthly instalments’ these instalments will be billed monthly from the date of the first payment.