Unlocking Your Poetic Potential Course

Unlocking Your Poetic Potential

An Online Course Now Available!!
Closes May 10th

Unlocking Your Poetic Potential is a transformative course designed to help poets at any stage tap into their creative voice, refine their craft, and gain the confidence to share their work with the world. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your poetic journey, this course offers practical strategies, insightful prompts, and industry-savvy guidance to help you grow. Taught by James P. Wagner (Ishwa)—a nationally recognized poet, editor of over 150 anthologies, and founder of Local Gems Poetry Press—this course blends inspiration with real-world tools to help you become the poet you were meant to be.

What You Can Learn from James P. Wagner (Ishwa)

James P. Wagner (Ishwa) brings something most poetry instructors don’t: direct, hands-on experience with both the creative and practical sides of poetry.

As someone who has edited over 150 poetry anthologies, he knows what makes a poem resonate—not just artistically, but in the eyes of readers, editors, and publishers.

This course isn’t built on abstract theory—it’s built on the lessons of someone who’s worked with thousands of poets, seen what gets published, and helped shape the voices of beginners and professionals alike.

Here’s what you’ll gain from his approach:

Clarity on your poetic identity
Learn how to define your style, voice, and purpose—so your work stands out without trying to be something it’s not.
Real insight into how editors think
Get an inside look at how poetry submissions are read and evaluated—and how to prepare your work accordingly.
A strong foundation in daily poetic thinking
Ishwa teaches how to think like a poet, not just write like one. That shift changes how you approach writing—and how often you do it.
A complete view of the poetic process
From initial drafts to finished pieces to preparing for publication, this course breaks down every stage with practical steps.
Experience, not just opinion
You’re learning from someone who has actually published and edited poetry at scale—not someone guessing what works, but someone who has seen what works, repeatedly.

Who Is James P. Wagner (Ishwa)

James P. Wagner (Ishwa) having edited over 150 poetry anthologies and helped thousands of poets publish their work through his press, Local Gems Poetry. As a former U.S. National Beat Poet Laureate and founder of both The Bards Initiative and Bards Against Hunger, he has built national platforms that empower poets to find their voice, refine their craft, and reach audiences. His workshops, informed by decades of publishing, performance, and mentorship, offer practical tools and insider knowledge that help writers not only grow artistically but succeed in the literary world.

In This Course:

Lectures and Lessons:

~ Thinking Like a Poet

~ A Poet's Job

~ Freedom In Restriction

~ How To Produce More Writing

~ The Poetry Grid

~ Defining Your Poetry For Publication

Hundreds of Poetry Writing Prompts

You will also receive over 10 poetry prompt eBooks, workbooks and coursebooks for continued writing exercises on your own time or during the course.

All of the eBooks were either created by in total, or partially by James P. Wagner (Ishwa)

~ Discover how to view the world through a poetic lens, turning everyday experiences into meaningful verse and training your mind to notice the moments that matter.

~ Understand the deeper purpose of being a poet in today’s world—how to observe, reflect, and communicate truth with clarity and emotional impact.

~ Learn how to utilize daily writing practice or challenges to strengthen your voice, overcome blocks, and develop discipline—even if only for a season.

Over 2 Hours of Video Lessons

Also Included:

Unlocking Your Poetic Potential: $39
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