Of his seven chapters in this slim volume, those that most spoke to me were stamina, practice and audience, but you might be drawn to politics and community. I also appreciated the biographical bits on this Black, gay poet coming into his own. ( )

These brief essays canvas a range of topic surrounding the life of a writer. Carl Phillips is a poet, so the focus is his personal relationship with the writing of poetry. But the themes apply more widely, indeed very likely beyond the realm of writing altogether. And in any case, Phillips’ writing is a pleasure to read from any perspective, a form of belles-lettres I suppose.

I’m not sure that the essays have much practical guidance for the young writer, other than perhaps the chapters on stamina and practice, for surely it will take stamina and a lot of practice to embark upon a life in writing. But it is delightful to follow Phillips’ own exploration of his personal relationship with writing. And perhaps that is enough.

Gently recommended. ( )