Rod McKuen Was the Bestselling Poet in American History. What Happened? (2022)

  • That's a great article. I've seen those same McKuen books in used-book stores, and never knew what the story was. But now I know.

  • I have mixed feelings. I loathe instapoetry as much as any modern poetry reader... However, I also hate that every modern poetry demands readers to read "good" poetry first to understand why instapoetry is bad (spoiler: instapoetry lacks depth).

  • must admit, i could never see the attraction. but better to read some poetry rather than none.

    another american author that seems to have vanished - richard brautigan, of "trout fishing in america" fame.

  • My impression is that his books sold in places where other poetry wasn't, e.g. card stores. But it has been a while since I've seen his poetry anywhere.

  • This was a interesting story.