Make Poetry Part of Your Every Day
Join Poetical Workshop — a flexible, inspiring online community for poets who want to write more, develop their craft, and stay connected wherever life takes them.
No card required — cancel anytime
Poetry
My debut poetry pamphlet Whichever Music (tall-lighthouse 2011) was a Poetry Book Society pamphlet choice and was shortlisted for a Michael Marks Award. Feral (Bloodaxe Books 2018) was a Poetry Book Society recommendation and a Telegraph poetry book of the month. My latest book Pretenders (Bloodaxe 2025) is a multi-voice exploration of imposter feelings and ‘imposter syndrome’.
My poems have been shortlisted for The Moth Poetry Prize, The Basil Bunting Prize and the Mslexia Poetry Competition, and published widely in magazines and anthologies. I’ve received three writing grants from Arts Council England.
No card required — cancel anytime
Do you long to make time and space in your life for poetry?
It can be hard to maintain a regular practice alongside work, study, or caring commitments.
Poetical Workshop helps you to write more, feel inspired, and stay connected through flexible learning, creative prompts, and the support of a friendly, expert-led community —all accessible on your desktop and via mobile app.
Whether you’re getting started, returning to writing, or deepening your craft, you’ll find the structure and encouragement to make poetry part of your everyday rhythm.
How Poetical Workshop Helps You Make Space For Poetry
✏️ Write More Often
Weekly prompts and creative challenges keep your practice alive.
🌿 Develop Your Craft
Learn from experienced tutors and guest poets.
💬 Stay Connected
Get encouragement, share your work, and find your writing rhythm.
Membership Options
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Stay inspired and connected, and keep writing regularly
Perfect if you’re looking for structure, prompts, and community support without time pressure.
You’ll get:
Fortnightly poetry prompts and mini challenges
Access to on-demand events and courses
Craft resources. poetry news, submission deadlines and more.
A supportive, encouraging community space
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Deepen your craft through guided feedback and peer connection.
Ideal if you want to grow your work with tutor input and shared accountability.
You’ll get everything in Inspiration, plus:
Peer and tutor feedback on your poems
Dedicated “Sharing Spaces” for workshop exchange
Weekly writing hours
Live craft workshops and events
Opportunities to publish and perform within the community
All memberships include a 14-day free trial — no card required.
We believe poetry should be open to everyone
If you’re a student, receiving government benefits, or on a low income, please get in touch — we offer confidential discounted memberships.
No rush
You can explore Poetical Workshop for two weeks, meet fellow poets, and see if it feels right for you.
Here’s how poets describe their experience of the Poetical Workshop community and Kate’s teaching
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'The prompts are interesting and varied, and provide inspiration to help me sustain my poetry writing practice. I’ve enjoyed them so far and look forward to seeing what's next. Being able to access everything through the app is really convenient and flexible. It helps me stay motivated because I don’t need to be at home or at my desk to engage with the workshop.'
Jodie Duffy, Poetical Workshop member
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'It's been a joy working together. I've learned a lot, read the work of writers I hadn't previously heard of, and I’ve really enjoyed reading all of our different prompt and workshop poems too. There's a chapter in the Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver that speaks about the experience of writing workshops. It's been lovely experiencing one myself!'
Wieke Vink, Wise Women Poetry Workshop (online)
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'Kate is a transformative poet and educator. Kate’s support of her students was unwavering, her excitement around poetic craft was infectious, her feedback comprehensive, constructive and sincere. She fostered in me a confidence predicated on a greater understanding of poetic form and function, and a sort of writerly instinct that ultimately affords me the ability to interrogate my own work.'
Elizabeth Morton, Oxford University Writing Poetry course (online)
About Kate Potts
Founder of Poetical Workshop
I’m a poet, creative writing lecturer, and solo mum with over 20 years’ experience of helping writers find their voices and thrive.
Over the years I’ve taught online for Oxford University, Middlesex University, The Poetry School, and privately, guiding poets as they grow in craft and confidence.
When I became a solo parent and moved away from London, time for reading, writing and talking about poetry became more scarce — and more precious — than ever. Digital technologies became a lifeline, and I began to ask: What would a truly flexible, high-quality poetry workshop look like — one that fits into lives like mine?
Poetical Workshop grew from that question. It’s built for poets like me — and like you — who want to stay inspired and connected while juggling the chaos of everyday life. It combines expert guidance, genuine interaction, and the freedom to write according to your own schedule and make poetry part of the rhythm of your days — because I believe that poetry is not a luxury, and shouldn’t be something you struggle to squeeze in when everything else is done.
In 2025-2026 we’ll be working with some fabulous guest poets, including Cath Drake, Jacqueline Saphra, Sarah Howe, Kayo Chingonyi, JLM Morton, Holly Hopkins and more.
I look forward to writing with you.
Not Ready to Join Yet?
Start with The Groundwork — Free
The Groundwork: Foundations for a Sustainable Poetry Practice
is a short, free, flexible online course you can access at home and on your mobile phone. In six bite-sized modules you’ll get expert practical advice and guidance to help you get started, write more productively, or get back to doing what you love.
With guidance on making time to write, starting points and inspiration, staying motivated, overcoming blocks, and more, this course aims to help you connect (or reconnect) with your own creative energy, focus, and practice. The course is hosted in Poetical Workshop. You can join The Groundwork for free.
