Poetry writing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What poetry writing is

A poet writes original verse for an occasion such as a wedding, a memorial or a gift, shaping the style and length to the theme you describe. People hire one when they want words that carry a feeling but cannot find the lines themselves.

Signs you need it

  • You need a poem for a memorial service, a funeral card or the opening of a eulogy.
  • You want a poem for an anniversary or a wedding, and the printed cards feel generic.
  • You have a feeling or a memory you want in verse and cannot find the lines.
  • You want a poem for a birthday or a retirement that refers to a specific shared experience.
  • You need a short piece for a card, program or invitation with a fixed length.
  • You are writing for a child or family member and want rhythm they will enjoy reading aloud.

What the pro does

  • Asks about the person, the occasion, the memories and the tone you want, such as tender, funny or solemn.
  • Chooses a form and length that fit the occasion, such as free verse, rhymed stanzas or a short sonnet.
  • Drafts the poem around the images and details you supplied, rather than general sentiment.
  • Reads the poem aloud to check the rhythm, and cuts any line that does not earn its place.
  • Revises after your notes and delivers the poem in the format you need, such as a printed page or a plain text file.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length and number of poems.
  • Whether the poem is rhymed or in free verse, since rhymed forms take more drafting time.
  • How much material you give, compared with what the poet must gather through questions.
  • Whether the poem will be read aloud at an event, which may need a version timed for the reading.
  • Number of revision rounds.
  • Deadline, especially when the poem is for a service or event with a set date.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of poems and the approximate length of each.
  • The form agreed, such as free verse or rhymed stanzas.
  • Revision rounds and the deadline for each draft.
  • The delivery format, such as printed, plain text or a file ready for printing.
  • Who owns the poem, and whether the poet may publish or reuse it.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What details do you need from me, such as memories or names I want included?
  • Can you show poems you wrote for occasions like mine?
  • Will you rhyme, or write in free verse, and can I choose?
  • How long will the poem be, and can you adjust the length after I read the first draft?
  • If the poem will be read aloud, will you time the reading?
  • Who owns the poem, and can I print it and share it?

Red flags

  • Offers the same generic verse with only the name changed.
  • Insists on a rhyme scheme that makes the lines sound forced, and will not change it.
  • Copies lines from published poems and presents them as new work.
  • Promises that the poem will be published or win a prize.
  • Will not discuss the person or the occasion before writing.

What you can do yourself

You can write down the memories, images and words you associate with the person, and read a few poems you like aloud to find the rhythm you want. Hire a poet when the poem is for an important occasion, when you need a specific form or length, or when your own attempts keep sounding like greeting card lines.

Licenses and permits

Poetry writing is not commonly licensed, so a license is usually not required for this work. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business rules that apply to you, and ask the poet for samples written for occasions like yours as proof of skill.

Poetry writing questions

Will the poem be original?

It should be. Ask the poet to confirm the poem is new work and that they will not reuse lines from published poems. If you want an existing poem read at the event, that is a separate permission question.

How long should an occasion poem be?

It depends on the setting. A card may need only a few lines, while a reading at a service may need a longer piece. Tell the poet where it will be read and how much time you have.

Can I change the poem after I receive it?

Yes, within the revision rounds in the agreement. Mark the lines you want changed and say why, such as a name spelled wrong or a detail that does not fit the person.

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