Testimonials

“This is an immersion in poetry with inspiring teachers, wonderful poets and companions in the joy of sharing work in a supportive and stimulating environment. Many new poems have come out of my work at Palm Beach as well as an education I never dreamed possible. Thank you.”
—Rosalind Brenner, East Hampton, New York, past participant

“The quality of the students was inspiring for their seriousness, good will, and good humor. They were smart, committed, and generous.” –  Tom Sleigh

Shapiro Workshop Fotor

“My first festival allowed me to develop a greater interest in poetry, to find a new love a little later in life. I made new friends, and am continually looking for and finding new ways to pursue my interest in poetry. My second festival, intimidating at times, yes; awestricken moments, yes; motivating, yes. You know I will be there again.” —Marjorie Schnabel, Boca Raton, Florida, past participant                                                                                                                                                                        

“What more can a poet ask than to bask in the friendly rigor of excellent poets, excellent students and the Florida sun? In this conference, devoted to the poetic, imagination, there is time to nurture the muse in the company of nationally recognized poets–time to eat at divine restaurants, too. Balmy weather, friendly atmosphere, and high standards, too? It’s a dream gathering.”      Molly Peacock


“The Palm Beach Poetry Festival was simply one of the best, most fun, and best-run poetry conferences I’ve ever been to—a very high level of student writers was one special feature; to be among all those sweet people brought together in the spirit of poetry, in the miraculously soft Florida salt air, was a sweet and very satisfying experience.”
  —Tony Hoagland

“I have walked away at the end of each year with priceless tools for writing better poetry. Delray’s Old School Square is a perfect venue for the festival. The auditorium is intimate and comfortable and the classrooms are bright and airy. The old gymnasium holds many wonderful memories of coffee house readings, dancing and beautiful banquets. Delray Beach has an Old Key West feel to it, which is the perfect setting for this festival.”                         — Holly Jaffe, Boca Raton, Florida, past participant

“Camaraderie and excellence combined!”Denise DuhamelBeloved Pane w Scott

“I just published my second book of poetry, and many of the poems included in it would not have survived had it not been for the workshops I took at the PBPF. No poet ever gets to a point where there isn’t anything left for them to learn.”
— Taylor Mali

 

“The high level of poetry and craft discussion at the Palm Beach Poetry Festival is remarkable, as is the warm and enthusiastic atmosphere that is created by the staff and the participants.”Sally Bliumis-Dunn

“The Palm Beach Poetry Festival is a combination of top-shelf workshops, fantastic poetry readings and fun (with some great networking thrown in). They have it planned out just right – an escape to the Florida coast in winter. I recommend this festival to my peers whenever I can. I had a ball.”
—Amy McLennan, Ashland, Oregon, past participant

OM_0081_Fotor“This was a lovely and thoughtfully worked-out event, absolutely exhilarating to be part of. I didn’t want to delay any longer in thanking you for putting on such an outstanding festival/workshop and for including me in it. To you, Miles and Mimi, and all who made it such a great success, my gratitude and my warmest congratulations.”     —Jane Hirshfield

 

 


Crest Exterior
Nothing but splendid people in love with poetry: organizers, staff, faculty, interns, and participants; the daily / nightly audiences; even the lizards out front of Crest Theatre, skittering along in that lizardy iambic way they have. This is an exceptionally well-run and in all ways terrific festival–on the Florida Atlantic coast, in January. I loved it.     — Robert Wrigley

“WHATTA festival!!! Applause must be ringing in your ears!”—Muriel Weinstein, Great Neck, New York, past participant