Spotlighted Group June 08!

Thank you,

We have 2 leaders for this group so Both of their answers will be listed by Member name.

1. Who created the group?

The rather marvellous Dienush an ever present force at AP which is a better place for her.(Pretani)

I did. (Dienush)

Dienush did, she wanted help running it that's all and that's were I came in. The name seemed to say it all and I didn't want to change it.(Pretani)

Well, I first created the group in the old days of AP, before the big upgrade I'm not sure how many will remember this feature for preferred members, the critique exchange, where one could pick to be given a certain length comment and to pay for it they had to comment the same length on another piece submitted for this feature. In those days I loved using that feature, but usually wanted large comments and few poems were submitted so that after three I was left with nothing to comment on. That's when I started the group and it's also most of why I started it, so the name is now self-explanatory. (Dienush)

AP is a great place and I am so glad that I found it. It has a really positive energy and everyone benefits from such a huge boost. (Pretani)


I can't speak for Dienush (she'll probably do that herself) but the difficulty with writing poetry is that it is a solitary experience. How can we learn to improve without feedback? Who can we ask but friends, family and neighbours? Can we be certain their feedback is unbiased? No. So we take a chance and post it on a website or send it to an editor for consideration. If we are lucky, we are published. More times than not our pride and joy goes unpublished and we are left to wonder where we went wrong.(Pretani)


Poetry is an unfair art in my opinion. The people that should give feedback (editors and professionals) have little time, the effect of which breaks a vital link in the continuity of learning. This is a failing in poetry but it opens the door for groups like this.(Pretani)


Dienush has created a safe space where poets can visit and benefit from friendly unbiased critique of their work with an ethic of positivity. A few 'tweaks' may be all that's needed before reaching the editor's desk.(Pretani)

The purpose of this group is to create a community of poets willing to grow, learn, and teach. Unfortunately, I found myself not being active due to extra-AP stuff, so Pretani and I agreed that he would take over, and he is quite an amazing leader. More specifically, the group aims at giving each other good critiques and receiving them back. (Dienush)

4. Are the members overall active?

The group would be nothing without members (states the obvious). There is no leader here as such, no one has a greater say, no single person's view more important than another and consequently our current members add a lot to the community. With more poets joining we will begin to see a widespread response to work, which is important. None of us are professional writers, however having a number of people communicate common themes that can be improved upon is incredibly valuable. (Pretani)

The group has undergone a long dead period, but now, with a new leader, the members seem to come alive. This has always been intended to be an active, friendly group. (Dienush)

5. How old is the group?

A couple of years old but it has just been reincarnated! It needs a lot of nurturing to grow into something strong and for that it needs you! I'm not here to talk people into joining - you have to make that decision for yourself. Just drop in, take a look around, see how it's developing. (Pretani)

I think it's been almost exactly a couple years since I created it. However, as Pretani mentioned, it has just been revived. (Dienush)

This group is not about 'me' telling 'you' how you should write poetry. I need to learn from you too! The funny thing is, that by commenting on work you also learn something about your own art, your own ways of thinking. We learn holistically. This shares the AP ethic of positivity, with a view of wanting the writer to do better, to think more deeply, to broaden his or her use of imagery or meaning. (Pretani)


Not only that, if you are a member you will be pointed in the direction of worthwhile poetry competitions and magazines, you will see information on improving technique, language and understanding the tools and frameworks to writing good verse. Overall though, you will be sharing in a community of same-minded people who all want to help each other improve. That can't be bad.(Pretani)

I think members would have a fulfilling and improving time in the group, because the group is supposed to be a learning experience for everyone in it. (Dienush)

It's early days so you have a great opportunity to get in quickly and help shape how it grows. Both Dienush and I are open to suggestions. It is not the structure but the culture that is important and there are no goals other than to see each other's work blossom and hopefully share in helping get each of our 'efforts' out there in the world of hard print and e-zines! I really want to help people, can't say exactly why, it's just something inside me that has been crying for an outlet and now it has one ha ha! Membership is free, there are no funny questions, no tests to pass, just add your name and that's it - everyone is welcome, any style - our doors remain firmly open!

Many thanks,

Heath (Pretani) & (Dienush)