This book explores the art of poetry writing from a practice-based perspective, showing how form, trope and theory inform the practical craft of writing poems. It is divided into three key sections:
- Form and structure, covering sonnets, ballads, blank verse and more
- Trope and device, introducing topics such as irony, imagery and voice
- Poetics and practice, which discusses the writing of poets such as Robert Frost, Amy Lowell and Frank O'Hara

Each chapter unpacks a particular concept or form, using examples to display it in practice. The book is filled with exercises to get you writing, and hints and tips for effective re-writing and for avoiding common pitfalls. Written by published poets, many of whom teach writing or literature, The Portable Poetry Workshop will push you to explore beyond your creative writing boundaries.