It’s the weekend! Time to share an American Sentence. It’s only 17 syllables — why not give it a whirl, or two, or three? Instead of sharing our sentences over at the American Sentences group this week, I thought we could try sharing them in the comments for this post. Let’s see how that goes.

by the Read Write Poem Staff

It’s a new year and time for a new editorial calendar here at Read Write Poem. We have a fantastic lineup for the next 12 months, and we can’t wait to share with you what’s up our sleeves, including columns by several new columnists. In short, you will continue to see much of what we’ve been bringing you the past few months, along with many new features that we’re proud to have in our lineup. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Celebrity Read Write Prompt
We’ll get the poetry party started the first Friday of each month with a new Celebrity Read Write Prompt featuring a different guest poet.

Read Write Prompt
In addition to the Celebrity Read Write Prompt, you will still get your weekly prompts every Friday, brought to you by Read Write Poem’s directors: Dana Guthrie Martin, Andre Tan, Deb Scott and Nathan Moore. These prompts include our Read Write Image and Read Write Word prompts.

Poetry Horoscope
What poet doesn’t need a poetry horoscope? Ditch those lousy horoscopes you’re currently following and start reading Nathan Moore’s horoscopes here at the top of each month. A horoscope by a poet, for poets. We promise it will be an absurdly good read.

The Doll Injection Mold Disaster
With a title like that, you know the column’s author must be none other than Juliet Cook. In this series, Cook will explore thoughts on (conflicted) feminisms and (warped) poetics. If you’re familiar with Cook’s writing style and her perspectives, you already know this column is bound to be a real ride — and you are likely to feel both bound and ridden after reading it.

Poetry Mini-Challenge
Carolee Sherwood and Jill Crammond Wickham will keep you rolling up your sleeves and getting to work all year long with their monthly reading, writing and writing-process challenges. The challenges could last a few days, a week or all month long. Don’t think of it as work; think of it as getting extra credit from this dynamic and engaging poetry duo.

Member Spotlight
Get to know your fellow Read Write Poem members! The Read Write Poem directors will ask members to step forward and answer a few questions about themselves and their relationship to poetry. That makes it sound a little like an interrogation, but really it’s all good — just don’t let that bare bulb burn you.

Poetry Advice Column
Speaking of burning — we have someone who can answer all your burning poetry-related questions! Should you get an MFA? Should you write at the same time every day? Should you feed your muse and, if so, how? Robert Peake joins our team as a monthly poetry advice columnist. Peake will pick one question each month for his response. Just send your questions to: advice (at) readwritepoem (dot) org.

The Life Poetic
In this column, Sage Cohen will share a series of pieces related to the writing life, in the vein of her book and website Writing the Life Poetic. From tuning in to your creativity to perfecting your poetry, Cohen will show you how to live a life built around poetry.

Games Poets Play
We all know poets like to play games, especially as a way of avoiding writing. Why not play games that also happen to be writing practice? Dana Guthrie Martin will share poetry games that can be played right in the comments section of the post. They’re fun, free and fabulous.

Just One Thing
Do you ever read a book and have one burning question you want to ask the author? Nathan Moore, Dave Jarecki and Sarah J. Sloat are doing just that in this monthly column. They will each read a book or chapbook, then ask the author to respond to that one penetrating question whose answer they simply can’t live without knowing. (Note: When possible, publishers provide review copies at no cost for this series. The collections are chosen first by Read Write Poem staff, then the publisher is contacted about the possibility of providing a review copy.)

Considering the Other
In 2010, Ren Powell continues her monthly exploration of self and other in all its manifestations, and in particular with relation to the “self” of the poet and the “others” the poet encounters.

Obscure Poets
Kristen McHenry is scouring literature past and present from around the world to bring you a piece each month that focuses on the life and work of a largely unknown poet. What she’s found so far has been remarkable. Stay tuned for what she has in store for 2010.

Workshop Redux
Sometimes workshopping a poem — or reading a poem critically — can seem overwhelming, and it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where David Moolten can help. For each column, he will break a poem or poems down and talk about one aspect of craft in detail. Each column will let us focus in on just that one element so we can learn to be better readers of poetry and to apply what we’ve learned to our own work.

The Jan Spot
We have January O’Neil in the house with her own column for 2010. She’ll write about whatever she wants to write about pertaining to writing, sharing and promoting poetry. She may share some Poetry Action Plans with us to get us on the right track with our own writing goals, or she may help us out with promoting poetry in our own areas. Whatever she covers, make sure you’re here to take note because this column is full of “Jan-ness” that’s not to be missed.

Read Write Poem Virtual Book Tour
Deb Scott and Dana Guthrie Martin are heading up this partnership with small publishers to coordinate virtual book tours for their titles. Works will continue to be discussed on members’ blogs, with central coordination through Read Write Poem. (Note: When possible, publishers provide review copies or PDF files of the collection for reviewers. The collections are chosen first by Read Write Poem staff, then the publisher is contacted about the possibility of providing review copies.)

O Video!
On occasion, Andre Tan will share video poems that he finds after searching high and low on the internet — because some poems are meant to be watched, and because sometimes we just want to sit back and watch a poem unfold.

100% Honest Day: Poetry Edition
An occasional column in which Read Write Poem staff members ask poet to get honest in the comments section of the post — anonymously, if need be. Never revise? Get honest. Love Billy Collins? Get honest. The first piece will include a brief history of confession and a discussion of why coming clean is so important.

Read Write Poem Interview
We have questions, and poets have answers. Dana Guthrie Martin and Dave Jarecki will continue this occasional in-depth interview series with poets, giving readers insight into the world of letters.

American Life in Poetry
Ted Kooser’s American Life in Poetry is an occasional column showcasing the work of contemporary American poets.

Off the Shelf
This occasional column features the last five poetry books a member has read along with very short reviews of each book.

Guerrilla Poetry
This occasional column will show you innovative ways to get poetry out into the world. Don’t worry — we won’t share any ideas here that force you to break the law. All our ideas are 100% legal. Still, good running shoes are always recommended when undertaking guerrilla poetry actions.

We have many special-interest poetry groups at Read Write Poem, and just about every one has a special monthly or weekly activity. So to help keep track of all the action, we’re highlighting upcoming group prompts and activities at the top of the homepage (in the left sidebar). There’s something new happening almost every day!

Be sure to come back often and find out what’s happening in your groups, or see what others might be doing and get on their poetry wagon!

A special thank you to all the group leaders who have committed to bringing special poetry opportunities to their groups.