#157: Joseph Fasano – How to Think Like a Poet: Unlock Rhythm, Creative Freedom & the Courage to Create; Plus Build a Following For Your Writing

49 snips

Aug 9, 2025

Award-winning poet, novelist, and teacher Joseph Fasano shares insights on finding one's voice in poetry and creative writing. He discusses his journey from astrophysics to lyrical storytelling and emphasizes the importance of constraints in unlocking creativity. Fasano explores building a meaningful online presence while encouraging aspiring poets to embrace their unique styles. He also highlights practical writing prompts, the significance of community, and the intertwining of spirituality with artistic expression. Tune in for advice on navigating the poetry landscape!

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ANECDOTE

Writing In Persona

Fasano wrote 'Mahler in New York' as a persona poem to access feelings he might not voice directly.
He uses persona poems to open different emotional registers and explore voice.

ANECDOTE

Poetry Publishing Via Contests

In the U.S. many poetry books get published via contests with fees and judges, not traditional agent routes.
Fasano won a contest and Cider Press Review selected his first collection, which launched his career.

ANECDOTE

Prompts Born In A Classroom

'The Magic Words' began when Joseph taught poetry prompts to children and found form unlocked imagination.
The prompts later proved useful across ages, in schools, prisons, and eldercare.

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Poet, novelist, and teacher Joseph Fasano on how to find the unique language and rhythm in our work, building a meaningful online presence, and why he believes that embracing limits in life (and writing) is key to creative freedom.

We discuss:

Joseph’s creative evolution, from astrophysics to poetry
Why studying craft is essential
The value of constraint and rhythm in unlocking creativity
How he found his voice, and why he writes persona poems
Building a meaningful career outside of traditional publishing
Advice for poets starting out (with or without an MFA)
The story behind The Magic Words and teaching poetic thinking
How faith and service shape his creative practice

About Joseph Fasano

Joseph Fasano is an award-winning poet, novelist, and teacher whose lyrical storytelling has captivated readers on the page and across social media, where he’s built a following of over 100,000. His work—translated into more than a dozen languages—includes poetry collections (The Magic Words, Inheritance, The Last Song of the World), novels (The Swallows of Lunetto, The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing), and lyrical prose. He’s received the Rattle Poetry Prize, the Cider Press Review Book Award, and a Poets’ Prize nomination. A passionate educator, Joseph teaches poetry workshops through the Fasano Academy and fosters creative community online.

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