Quick Review: Write Good Poems in Two Weeks by A.F. Towers

 by Jeff Hebert

Equal parts irreverent and deeply instructive, Write Good Poems in Two Weeks is the poetry workbook we didn’t know we were waiting for. A.F. Towers delivers 14 days of no-nonsense, totally unpretentious exercises that manage to be both craft-savvy and refreshingly human. From day one (“Sound”) to the final, oddly touching farewell (“You’re all done and can quit poetry forever!”), the voice is casual, funny, and honest—like a favorite writing teacher who also knows how to throw a party.

Don’t expect flowery theory or MFA jargon. Towers is more interested in getting you writing—and writing in your own voice—than dazzling you with formalism. That said, this workbook quietly covers the foundations of poetic technique (line breaks, image, simile, the turn, etc.) with precision and care, all without ever feeling academic.

Perfect for beginners, stuck poets, or anyone who just wants to shake the dust off their process. It’s a book that reminds us why we started writing in the first place: because it’s weird and fun and alive.

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