Free resources for reading and learning more about South African poetry, and english-language poetry in general

While I am currently making it my mission to get to know the South African poetry scene, I realise that there is a whole world of english-language poetry out there to enjoy.  Here are some great sites that I keep returning to for education and inspiration:

International Sites:

The Academy of American Poets - includes an archive of poems as well as information about poets. Sign up for a daily email (Poem-a-Day) featuring poems by contemporary poets. Also advertises US-based competitions and events.

ModPo - an excellent free course in "Modern and Contemporary American Poetry" convened by Al Filreis of the University of Pennsylvania via Coursera.  More video discussions of poems and poets from Dickinson and Whitman to the present than you can watch in a year. Option to join in real-time for 10 weeks from September to November each year, or work through in your own time.

Poetry Archive - an audio archive of poets reading their own work.

Poetry in America - based at Harvard University, and promoting poetry education. Hosts a number of free online courses.

The Poetry Foundation - publishers of Poetry magazine. Includes an archive of poems as well as information about poets. Also advertises competitions and US-based events.

Poetry International Archives - a Netherlands-based international archive of english-language poetry. 

The Poetry Society (UK) - includes an archive of English poetry as well as information about authors. Also advertises competitions and UK-based events.

South African Poetry:

The Avbob Poetry Competition - selected poems from present and past competitions are available to view on the competition website.

Badilisha Poetry X-Change - "an online audio archive and Pan-African poetry show." Sample poems and biographical informaiton from a large number of contemporary African poets available in text and audio.

Botsotso - a multilingual South African magazine. Poems accepted for publication also appear on the website.

Poetry International Archives, South Africa - a Netherlands-based international archive of english-language poetry. 
 
Poetry Potion - winners of their daily writing prompt challenge are published online daily.

The Red Wheelbarrow - a weekly open mic via Zoom, posts poems by guest speakers on their website.

Articles about South African Literature in General


Timeline of South African literature.

There is also an informative article on wikipedia about South African literature.

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