Now in its second printing, The Roar on the Other Side (Canon Press) is a popular textbook that provides "the beginning poet a glimpse, early on, of what many fail to observe after many years of toiling in the craft: that poetry is the language of revelation, a most immediate means by which we may suspect the Mystery of the Word inhabiting our lives." (Scott Cairns, author of Recovered Body).

Written in a personal and humorous style, the author offers creative instruction, exercises, journal assignments, a glossary of poetic terms, and an assortment of splendid poems by famous writers, as well as poems by her students.

Chapter titles include "Sight Training," "Real Toads," "Metaphors Be With You," "White Whales and Swimming Hats," Musical Thought," Anatomy Lessons," "A Few Formalities," "More Formalities." "Genres," "'Sing Darker:' Matters of Voice," "Writing, Reading and Revising," and "Gathering of Poems."