Bob Haynes

Bob Haynes lives in Seneca Falls, New York. He has an MFA in poetry and has had work featured on VerseDaily and published in journals such as North American Review, Rattle, New Letters, Poetry Northwest, Cimarron Review, First Intensity, and elsewhere. Work has been reprinted in the anthologies Cabin Fever, Kansas City Out Loud, and Approaching Critical Mass, and in the poetry- writing textbook Important Words (Boynton/Cook Heinemann). He is also the author of a book-length poem, The Grand Unified Theory, which examines connections between science and faith. Between 1985 and 1992, he published a literary journal, sponsored contests, and conducted poetry events in Washington, DC, and Alexandria, Virginia. There, he also served as a member of the Folgers Poetry Committee for the Greater Washington, DC, Area. He is the former Division Director of NASA Ames Research Center’s publishing, video, photography, and graphics department. As a writer for the Teacher-in-Space program, he has created educational science for students and educators, producing titles such as Spacesuit; How We Get Pictures from Space; Sentinels in the Sky; and Threshold of Space, and a Golden Book Space Machines (for Western Publishing).

Student Comments

Excellent. Well-organized, thorough, thoughtful. Bob is an outstanding mentor/teacher. I credit him with two recent publications of work I began/revised in his Daydreams I class. Nancy Flynn

Thanks for offering this class with Bob again. I’ve taken it twice, and would do it again. It was absolutely helpful. I am very grateful for the experience and care and thought that he puts into this. Becky Ellis

Bob was one of the most enthusiastic and energetic teachers I have worked with. He spent a ton of time on the course — not just in the lessons, but in corresponding personally with each one of us. His critiquing was insightful and thorough, and he was very sensitive about the writer’s feelings when giving suggestions for revision.  Amy Carden Suardi

I’m in Bob Haynes’ workshop and I just want to tell you how much I like and admire him. His lessons are so comprehensive, as are his careful critiques. You can tell he really puts a lot into it and that he loves the art and craft of poetry. I’m so glad I took this class, just to meet him.
There are a lot of online teachers, and with many, you are aware that they are very busy. The remarks are brief. Bob makes you feel as if you’re the only one in the class. I should really be writing this to him, and I will, but I thought you’d like feedback, too. Diane DeCillis

At first, I wasn’t sure what to think (because I was so used to being in a class where everyone said everything was wonderful and everything we wrote was somehow wonderful). Bob’s comments were honest and forced me to reach outside the poem for something more. What’s amazing to me is that he challenged me in a way that didn’t cause me to feel like quitting (exactly the opposite)! I’m figuring out what makesa poem work for me and why. Believe it or not that’s incredibly important… What can I say? But, THANKS so much! Cyndy Krey

Bob Haynes’ poetry workshop was much more than I expected — very well organized with various exercises, readings, and weekly assignments tailored to our individual needs. It felt (almost) like the nine of us sitting around a table, nourishing each other. I have enough material to continue on my own, making better poems, until another workshop comes along. Bob’s critiques of our poems were focused on the expressed needs of each of us, concise and detailed, always kind. I would recommend Bob’s class without hesitation. Writers.com is doing necessary work. Thanks for being out there. Marcia Fairbanks

Bob Haynes thinks and responds deeply about poetry and about his students’ work. He brings structure to his classes through his own understanding and beliefs about poetry but creates a flexible space within the structure that honors each students own aesthetic. Both of Bob’s classes have created fertile ground for new growth in my writing… Lisa McCool-Grime

Bob offered a handful of very interesting, useful and insightful techniques plus an array of articles by various writers discussing writing poetry from different perspectives.   Bob is an artist and a craftsman in one person AND a gifted tutor. He was appreciative, responsive and curious, generous with time, engaging in a craft conversation with every participant. I found his suggestions constructive (one was utterly mesmerizing). I felt encouraged to step beyond my limits and look for new possibilities / enter the terra incognita. I was assisted gently in the process – we all were – yet I felt I was also allowed to explore it my way. And, I wasn’t pushed beyond where I was, figuratively, able to go with my writing. I felt respected as a poet and accepted where I am on my writing path. It was another wonderful workshop I’ve taken with Writers.com. Once again, thank you all for making it real and available. Joanna Kania

Bob is a fine instructor and goes to a lot of trouble for his classes and the students. He is generous, caring and enthusiastic for all of his students. We and you are lucky to have him. I have learned so much from Bob. Peggy Hill

The class was a real stretch for me, and I discovered many new muscles, but I’m very glad I took it and I am amazed at the poetry I produced. As I said earlier, this one is a keeper.  Mary Ann Payne

The class was excellent; Bob made us write and think and write and then think even more. An excellent experience for me, and I’ve been teaching now for 35 years. John Ranahan

The class content is exceptional. The lessons and assignments are very well planned and give the student a seamless, in-depth learning experience. Mr. Haynes is a true master! He goes the ‘extra mile’ with each student by thoroughly answering each question placed before him by his students. This is coupled, always, with the gift of necessary encouragement all students need during their discovery of a new process… I’ve been telling EVERYONE I know about this class! If your other classes are of this caliber, the internet student of writing is blessed to have you here! Susan Allen

The reading assignments were pertinent, helpful and increasingly challenging. Bob added to those assignments with his own text, which was helpful to me in applying the readings to the poetry assignments. The poetry assignments were, of course, my favorite: every new exercise Bob gave us is an exercise that I plan to continue using in my own practice– very helpful… Bob provided a challenging course with gentle, supportive, consistent and timely feedback. It was my impression that the entire class, including myself, was very enamored with Bob’s teaching abilities and the environment he provided for our growth. I would definitely recommend this course to any friend who has experience with poetry! I am quite sure that when I have the time and finances available I will be taking another course on Writers.com… Thank you, again, Bob! Your course has made a significant impact on my writing and reading of poetry! Lisa McCool

The “How poems work” class with Bob Haynes was phenomenal! Bob Haynes is a sensitive & caring instructor who knows how to present the finer elements/techniques of poetry in a way beginners & advanced students can learn from and appreciate. I learned a great deal from his clever methods of teaching poetry – never a dull moment! And I continue to reap the benefit of taking this course with him even now – a day doesn’t pass when I don’t use some suggestion of his in my writing. The lessons I learned from Bob will shape my use of poetry & language in the years to come, I’m certain… Bob Haynes went above & beyond the call of duty in this class by always, without fail, offering constructive critique & insightful observations about student work. He is a teacher who cares so much about his students – he was totally accessible and answered emails fast! During the class, he was a great mentor,poet and teacher of inspiration! Truly!… I loved his class! Please somehow figure out a way to have him teach another! Arlene Tribbia

This is the second class I’ve taken from Bob and I learned as much this time as in the previous class. I appreciate how Bob works with us according to what we want to achieve and provides his feedback in that context. I found him generous with his feedback, taking the time to explain why something works or doesn’t work and providing suggestions or examples to help us with revisions. His exercises and assignments are excellent and have left us with approaches we can use again and again.  His tone is always respectful and encouraging and it’s obvious that he has a deep well of knowledge to draw from. I only wish his classes were longer! I hope he’ll be teaching again next year. If he is I’ll definitely be signing up for his class.  Barbara Ireland