Blackout Poetry: A How-to Guide
- Reem Rizk
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
In Interview with Cameron Atlas Chiovitti
If you've ever been curious about poetry but didn't know where to dive in, blackout poetry is a fun way to get started. It’s all about being creative without the pressure of coming up with your own words. Basically, if you've found yourself inspired by words --- any words at all (songs, other poems, newspapers, catalogues) then blackout poetry is a great way to get started on finding your voice. All you need is a keen eye, and a page to work with.
We sat down with poet Cameron Atlas Chiovitti to talk in depth about the art of blackout poetry.
What Is Blackout Poetry?
Blackout poetry is a form of found poetry. Take an existing piece of text, like a book page, article, or even song lyrics, and use a marker to “black out” most of the words. What’s left becomes your poem.
Think of it this way: You don't have to write from scratch, you get to carve meaning from something you already know has been put out there with the intent to inspire! You have full reign over what stays, and what goes.
How to Do Blackout Poetry
Creating blackout poetry is both simple and freeing. Perfect for emerging writers needing a place to start, and established writers needing a spark of inspiration. Here's a simple guide on how to start your blackout poetry piece.
Start with a printed page.
Read through and identify words, characters, or phrases that stand out.
Use a marker to black out everything else.
What remains is your poem! a healthy mix of instinct, mood, and magic.
Where Things Get Lyrical
At our blackout poetry workshop, we're handing the marker to Cameron Atlas Chiovitti, author of Call This Don't Go. The book is uniquely structured, each chapter is separated by a blackout poem made from song lyrics that reflect the chapter’s emotional energy.
To bring that same energy into the room, Cameron is preparing a collection of pages for participants to use in their own blackout poems. It’s an opportunity to not only create, but to step inside the creative process of a working writer and experience what shaped their work.
And if you're interested is stopping by our event, materials will be provided. And yes, there will be snacks ;)
Ready to Try Blackout Poetry?
Join us for a welcoming, hands-on workshop where you can experiment, explore, and maybe even surprise yourself. Whether you're wondering how to do blackout poetry or just want a cozy space to unwind creatively, this session is a perfect place to start.
Bring your curiosity. We’ll bring the pages.
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