Beginner's guide

So you're getting into poetry writing

Poetry needs almost nothing: a notebook, a pen, and 30 minutes of quiet. The gear isn't the point; the reading and writing is. But the right notebook makes you want to reach for it, a good craft book gives you a framework, and a few key anthologies show you what the form can actually do. Here's what to buy, and what to skip.

By Colin B. · Published June 6, 2026 · Last reviewed June 6, 2026

Woman sitting in chair writing in notebook

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The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Hardcover Notebook — Leuchtturm1917 A5: the notebook poets reach for. Numbered pages, fountain-pen friendly, sized to carry everywhere.
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry — Stephen Fry's guide to form: opinionated, funny, and the one craft book every new poet should read first.
Pilot G2 Fine Point Gel Pens (12-Pack) — Pilot G2 fine-point pens: reliable, smooth, and the default choice of writers everywhere.

Budget total

$20

Typical total

$65

Poetry costs almost nothing to start. A notebook and a pack of pens gets you there for under $25. Add a craft book and an anthology and you're at $65 total, which covers you for a year.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

Category	Top pick	Price	Where to buy
Notebooks	Leuchtturm1917Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Hardcover Notebook	$$	See on Amazon →
Pens	PilotPilot G2 Fine Point Gel Pens (12-Pack)	$	See on Amazon →
Craft Books	Stephen FryThe Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry	$$	See on Amazon →
Anthologies	Garrison KeillorGood Poems edited by Garrison Keillor	$$	See on Amazon →
Reference	Merriam-WebsterMerriam-Webster's Rhyming Dictionary	$	See on Amazon →

Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

You don't need anything expensive to write poetry. A $2 composition notebook and a BIC pen is how most great poets have worked. Buy nice things because you enjoy them, not because you think they'll make you write better.

Read before you write. This is the advice every poetry teacher gives and every new poet ignores. Spend your first two weeks reading more than you write. Read widely: poems in form, poems in free verse, poems from different decades. What you read shapes what you write.

Don't start with rhyme and meter unless you're genuinely drawn to them. Free verse is not a cop-out; it's a different set of constraints. Figure out what you're actually drawn to before locking in a style.

The gear

What you actually need

Open notebook with pen and pencils on desk

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Notebooks

Your notebook is the most important piece of gear in poetry, not because expensive paper writes poems, but because a notebook you reach for actually gets used. Leuchtturm1917 is the practical favorite: fountain-pen friendly paper, numbered pages, a built-in index, and sized for a jacket pocket. Go lined if you want structure, blank if you want freedom to experiment with visual arrangements, dot-grid if you want both.

Notebooks — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Lined

Traditional ruled lines. Best for prose notes and verse. The default for most new poets.

Ruling: 5mm
Best for: Structured drafting, rhymed verse

Best for Beginners, formal poetry, structured drafting

Tradeoff Less flexibility for shaped poems or visual arrangements

↓ See our pick

Blank (Unlined)

Total freedom for shaped poems, visual arrangements, and drawing.

Ruling: None
Best for: Visual poetry, concrete poetry

Best for Visual poets, concrete poetry, artists who also write

Tradeoff Lines can drift on blank pages; harder to write densely

Dot-Grid

Dots that guide without constraining. Works for writing and visual notes.

Ruling: 5mm dot grid
Best for: Flexible layout, sketching and writing

Best for Poets who also sketch or diagram; flexible writers

Tradeoff Dots visible in photocopies and scans

Best starter

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Hardcover Notebook

The gold standard for writers who actually use their notebooks. Fountain-pen friendly paper, numbered pages, two ribbon bookmarks, and a table of contents so your drafts stay findable. Sized right to carry daily without feeling like you're hauling a schoolbook.

What we like

Fountain-pen friendly paper with minimal feathering or bleed
Numbered pages and index keep your drafts findable
Two ribbon bookmarks hold your current draft and a reference page

What to know

Premium price for a notebook; budget options write just as well
Slightly heavier than a slim composition notebook

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

Paperage

Paperage Lined Hardcover Journal

Half the price of a Leuchtturm1917 and honestly not much worse for most writers. Decent paper, sturdy hardcover, and it comes in a dozen colors. The right choice if you're not sure this will stick.

What we like

Half the price of premium journals with solid paper quality
Sturdy hardcover holds up in a bag without warping

What to know

Rougher paper than Leuchtturm; fountain pens may feather slightly
No page numbers or index; tracking drafts takes more effort

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Midori

Midori MD Notebook A5 Lined

$$$

MD paper is among the best paper you can buy in a notebook. Fountain pens glide, ink never bleeds, and the cream-white color is easy on the eyes for long sessions. If you've found that you love writing daily, this is the upgrade worth making.

What we like

MD paper is the best fountain-pen experience in a retail notebook
Cream-white pages reduce eye strain on long writing sessions

What to know

Soft cover needs a slip case to survive regular bag use
Higher price; save this for when you know you'll fill it

See on Amazon →

Pens

Poets argue about pens with the same intensity they argue about poetic form. The honest answer: a Pilot G2 and a $300 fountain pen produce words at the same rate. Buy the pen you like to hold. That said, there is something real about a pen that makes writing feel pleasurable. You're more likely to sit down and fill a page with a pen you enjoy using. If you've never tried a fountain pen, the Pilot Metropolitan is the gentlest entry point.

Best starter

Pilot

Pilot G2 Fine Point Gel Pens (12-Pack)

The pen every writer defaults to when asked what they actually use. Smooth, reliable, rarely skips, and the fine point keeps your handwriting legible on small lines. A 12-pack means you're never hunting for a pen when the urge to write hits.

What we like

Smooth gel ink flows without skipping across most paper types
Fine 0.7mm point keeps drafts legible even in cramped margins
Refillable; replace the cartridge when you find a barrel you like

What to know

Slightly scratchy compared to a fountain pen on long sessions
Finer points can skip on heavily textured or rough paper

See on Amazon →

Budget pick

BIC

BIC Round Stic Grip Ballpoint Pens (36-Pack)

Poetry has historically been written on whatever was available. A BIC works. The ink is reliable, the cost is negligible, and you'll never stop yourself from writing because you don't want to waste a nice pen.

What we like

So cheap you'll never hesitate to scribble a draft or cross it out
Reliable in cold, heat, and on every paper type without fuss

What to know

Thicker line than gel pens; cramps small or compact handwriting
No ceremony to it; some writers find cheap pens reduce motivation

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Pilot

Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen

The fountain pen that converts skeptics. Smooth nib, well-balanced body, easy cartridge swaps. Writing with a fountain pen slows you down in the best way: each word feels considered. The Metropolitan is the entry point that doesn't feel like a compromise.

What we like

Smooth nib makes handwriting feel effortless and deliberate
Works with Pilot cartridges or a converter for bottled ink

What to know

Needs consistent upright angle; hard-pressers may struggle at first
Takes a session or two to develop comfortable fountain pen technique

See on Amazon →

Craft Books

A good craft book doesn't make you a poet; reading and writing poems does. But a good craft book accelerates everything. It names patterns you've already sensed, gives you exercises when you're stuck, and offers a map of the territory before you wander too far. Stephen Fry's guide is the one to start with. It's opinionated in the best way, grounded in form, and actually fun to read.

Best starter

Stephen Fry

The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry

Fry is a working poet who loves the craft, and his enthusiasm for form is contagious. Starts with meter and builds to complex forms. Manages to make scansion genuinely entertaining. The best craft book we know for someone starting from scratch who wants a real foundation in how poetry works.

What we like

Covers meter, rhyme, and form with depth that actually teaches
Written with real wit; reads like a book, not a textbook
Exercises throughout give you something to work on immediately

What to know

UK-centric examples; American readers may need to look up some refs
Heavy on formal poetry; add a free-verse companion if that's your draw

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Mary Oliver

A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver

Oliver's handbook is the complement for free-verse writers. Shorter, gentler, and more focused on image and voice than on formal mechanics. If you're drawn to contemporary poetry that doesn't rhyme or scan in classical ways, start here instead of with Fry.

What we like

Approachable and short; covers voice, image, and sound concisely
Oliver writes from experience as a working poet, not an academic

What to know

Less systematic than Fry; lighter on formal mechanics and meter
Assumes some prior reading; not truly zero-to-one

See on Amazon →

Upgrade pick

Kim Addonizio

The Poet's Companion by Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux

The most comprehensive of the three. Covers subject, voice, image, sound, form, and the writing life across 300 pages of practical guidance. Each chapter ends with exercises. This is the book you return to repeatedly; it covers ground you didn't know you needed until you needed it.

What we like

The most comprehensive beginner craft book available
Every chapter has exercises that push your writing forward
Covers voice, form, subject, and revision in a single volume

What to know

At 300 pages, can feel overwhelming if you dip in randomly
Better as a second-year book than a day-one read

See on Amazon →

Anthologies

Read poems before you write them. Seriously, the single biggest thing separating good early poetry from forgettable early poetry is how much the writer has read. An anthology gives you range: different periods, different forms, different voices. You'll notice what you're drawn to, what leaves you cold, and why. That's data. Use it.

Best starter

Garrison Keillor

Good Poems edited by Garrison Keillor

Keillor chose poems he could read aloud and have people understand on first hearing. The result is the most accessible serious poetry anthology in print: no difficult modernist puzzles, no academic posturing. Just good poems that stick with you.

What we like

Curated for accessibility; poems land on first reading
Wide range of American poets across the last hundred years

What to know

Tilts American and 20th-century; limited international range
Accessible curation means fewer formally complex poems

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

Billy Collins

Poetry 180 edited by Billy Collins

Former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins compiled 180 poems that are all genuinely accessible without being thin. Excellent for reading one poem a day, which is actually the best practice for building a poet's ear.

What we like

One-poem-per-day pacing builds a real reading habit over six months
Collins's editorial taste runs toward clarity without simplicity

What to know

Curated for adolescents; some experienced readers find it thin
Heavy American focus; light on international and translated work

See on Amazon →

Reference

Two books that earn their shelf space: a rhyming dictionary (indispensable for formal verse, useful for finding sonic connections even in free verse) and a good thesaurus. Poets use a thesaurus differently than prose writers: you're not looking for synonyms, you're looking for words with the right syllable count, the right sound, the right weight. A physical thesaurus is faster for this than a digital one.

Best starter

Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster's Rhyming Dictionary

Organized by ending sound rather than alphabetically, which is exactly how you need a rhyming dictionary to work when you're hunting for a word. Small enough to slip into a bag alongside your notebook. The standard reference for working poets writing in form.

What we like

Organized by ending sound, not alphabetically; works for real use
Pocket-sized and pairs naturally with your writing notebook

What to know

Narrower than digital rhyming tools for very obscure or rare words
Less useful if your poetry is primarily free verse

See on Amazon →

Specialty pick

HarperCollins

Roget's International Thesaurus (8th Edition)

Roget's concept-based organization makes it dramatically better than synonym-list thesauruses for poets. You start from an idea and find the word that fits your meter and tone, not just the nearest synonym. The 8th edition has 350,000+ entries.

What we like

Concept-based organization finds the right word, not just a synonym
350,000+ entries; the most comprehensive physical thesaurus available

What to know

Concept-based navigation takes 10 minutes to learn; read the intro
Heavy at 1,000+ pages; not a bag book

See on Amazon →

Going deeper

Your first month of writing poetry

Most people who try poetry quit before the first poem is done. Here's what to actually expect, and what to do with the bad drafts that come first.

Read the guide →

Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

A typewriter — Romantic, but slow and loud. The writing rhythm is different enough from handwriting that it's a distraction at first.
Handmade artisan paper — Save it for fair copies of finished work. You'll go through too many sheets in drafts to justify the cost.
A workshop subscription — You need 15-20 drafts before feedback is genuinely useful. Workshops reward writers who've already written a lot.
Dictation software — Most poets find their ear develops better through the physical act of writing by hand. Digital tools can come later.
A fountain pen above $100 — The Pilot Metropolitan at $20 is 90% of the fountain pen experience. Earn the upgrade with a year of writing.

First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

Buy a notebook and write today's date on the first page. Don't wait for the right moment. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Hardcover Notebook
Read 20 poems on the Poetry Foundation's free archive before you write a word. · Learn
- Poetry Foundation · Free archive of thousands of poems, searchable by poet, form, and subject
Copy a poem you love by hand, word for word, punctuation and all. This is how generations of poets learned rhythm. · Action
Write one poem this week. Any length, any subject, no judgment. The first draft of your first poem is supposed to be bad. · Action
Try a haiku as a daily warmup: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables. Constraint is productive. · Action
Read the first chapter of The Ode Less Travelled and do the exercises. · Buy
- Jump to our pick: The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry
Find a local open mic and attend as audience, not performer. You'll learn more from watching than from nerves. · Action

FAQ

Common questions

Do poems have to rhyme?

No. Most contemporary published poetry doesn't rhyme in the strict sense. Rhyme is a tool, not a requirement. Free verse has its own rules: deliberate line breaks, rhythm, image, sound. Don't force rhyme if it doesn't come naturally; it often makes poems feel sing-songy and strained.

How long should a poem be?

As long as it needs to be and not one line longer. Many of the best contemporary poems are under 20 lines. If you're padding to hit a length, cut. If you stop before the poem is done, keep going.

What's the difference between free verse and formal poetry?

Formal poetry follows rules: a sonnet has 14 lines in iambic pentameter with a specific rhyme scheme; a villanelle has 19 lines with two refrains. Free verse has no fixed rules but has conventions: deliberate line breaks, sonic texture, earned imagery. Neither is easier; they give you different constraints to work against.

Should I share my poems while I'm just starting out?

Share when you're ready, not before. Premature feedback usually lands as discouragement. Write 15-20 drafts first, then find a trusted reader who reads poetry and will tell you the truth. Online communities like r/PoetryFeedback exist for this.

How do I know when a poem is done?

Paul Valery said poems are never finished, only abandoned. The practical answer: when you read it aloud and nothing snags. When you can't find a better word for any word that's there. Put it in a drawer for a week, then read it again with fresh eyes.

What should I read as a beginning poet?

Start accessible: Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, Naomi Shihab Nye. Then move to harder contemporary voices: Tracy K. Smith, Ocean Vuong, Louise Gluck. Then the historical canon: Keats, Dickinson, Whitman, Hopkins. Start where the language feels alive and close.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

Poetry Foundation — The central archive for American and international poetry. Thousands of free poems searchable by poet, form, and subject. Also publishes Poetry Magazine, the most prestigious journal in the field.
Academy of American Poets (poets.org) — The Academy's site has poet bios, curated reading lists, and a free Poem-a-Day email newsletter. Subscribe. It's the best daily poetry habit you can build.
Poetry Magazine — The oldest poetry journal in the US, published continuously since 1912. Free to read online. The standard for what serious contemporary poetry looks like.
Rattle — More accessible than Poetry Magazine and actively publishes poets outside the MFA system. A good calibration on serious contemporary poetry without academic gatekeeping.
r/Poetry and r/PoetryFeedback — r/Poetry for reading and discussing; r/PoetryFeedback for critique on your own work. Skip the feedback subreddits until you have 10+ drafts. The r/Poetry wiki has a solid recommended reading list.

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