Poetry Panel: On Crafting Collections, Mentorship, and Finding Your Readers

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Here's one for the poets!

In this special episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, Rhonda Douglas hosts a poetry panel featuring four accomplished poets: Kess Mohammadi, Guy Elston, Lorne Daniel, and Melissa Powless Day. 

Together, they read from their latest works and share an honest conversation about building poetry collections, navigating mentorship, and growing alongside their readers.

Each poet begins by reading a piece from their newest collection. Lorne Daniel shares “Crushed” from What Is Broken Binds Us (University of Calgary Press), a raw reflection on family challenges, addictions, and the small, startling moments that carry us through. Guy Elston lightens the room with humor and poignancy in “Statement from the Board of Directors,” from his debut collection The Character Actor Convention (The Porcupine’s Quill, 2025). Kess Mohammadi reads a dreamlike, image-rich untitled piece from Book of Interruptions (Wolsak & Wynn, 2025), a manuscript deeply influenced by mentorship and philosophical inquiry. And Melissa Powless Day brings us “Tree Museum” from her debut full-length collection A Bow Forged from Ash (Anstruther Press, 2023), weaving Indigenous history and relationships to the land with lyrical power.

From there, Rhonda invites each poet to talk about the origin story of their latest books. For some, like Lorne, the poems emerged out of lived experiences and personal struggles, gradually coalescing into a manuscript. For Guy, the breakthrough came when he shifted from confessional writing to persona poems, realizing that even when he inhabited different characters, his own voice still shone through. Kess shares how mentorship opportunities, supported by the Ontario Arts Council, provided guidance for a more intentional project. And Melissa reflects on how themes naturally braided themselves through her poetry, growing into a cohesive collection.

The conversation also touches on what it feels like to publish a debut collection versus later works. Guy and Melissa speak to the excitement (and the “high”) of holding a first full-length book, while Kess and Lorne reflect on the evolving nature of readership and how the literary landscape has shifted over decades. Kess notes that book two often feels different, with less external excitement but deeper engagement from dedicated readers.

Finally, the poets discuss mentorship—formal and informal. Lorne recalls receiving letters and guidance from Al Purdy, and the importance of staying connected to community. Guy admits he’s still finding his way with mentorship, while Kess explains how seeking a Muslim elder for conversations on Perso-Islamic philosophy shaped Book of Interruptions. Melissa describes mentorship as something rooted in community, often happening organically through relationships, and pays tribute to her “literary auntie,” Shani Ray Rogers.

Whether you’re a poet just starting out, working on your first manuscript, or deep into your writing journey, this conversation will leave you inspired. Our guests remind us that poetry is as much about relationships—between writers, readers, and community—as it is about the words on the page.