Resources & Links
Useful Applications
Blackout Poetry Maker
This site is has a fantastic blackout poetry maker where you can add your own text, select the words and blackout the rest. Easy to use.
Blackout Bard
This App which can be found in your App Store for your desktop, phone or tablet. It allows you to be a bit more creative and can be fun.
Erasure Maker
This site was created by Alan Harnum, a software developer and writer. It’s similar to what I used at Wave Poetry. Give it a go!
Old Books
Use any old expired copyright books. Use random pages of a variety of books or use a whole book to create a book of your own erasure poetry. Tear out the pages and stick in a scrapbook or if you’re like me and can’t bring yourself to destroy books then just photocopy the page.
Newspaper Clippings
I use newspaper clippings but please be aware that there are laws set in place (see link in the Copyright section below). If you are going use newspaper clippings then I would suggest you black out as much of the article as possible (more than 50%) so that it is unrecognisable.
You can also use magazines, brochures and anything with text.
e-Books
Project Gutenberg is a library of over 60,000 free eBooks with a focus on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired. Choose among free epub and Kindle eBooks, download them or read them online. Print a page to blackout without ruining a book.
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Another good website is Public Book Shelf.
Useful Links
Artists
Steal Like an Artist — Austin Kleon
Erasing Infinite
Articles
Writer’s Digest
Erasure and Blackout Poems: Poetic Forms
Medium
What’s the difference between Found, Erasure, Blackout and Redacted Poetry?
Bustle
What Is Blackout Poetry? These Fascinating Poems Are Created From Exisiting Art
Karen Andrews
How to Write Erasure Poetry
Copyright
Copyright Expiration in Australia
National Library of Australia — How Long Does Copyright Last?
Copyright — The United States Copyright Office
Copyright Expiration Law — Legal Zoom
Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States
Ethics
A Quick Note on Ethics by Robert E. Brewer
“There is a line to be drawn between erasure/blackout poems and plagiarism. If you’re not erasing more than 50% of the text, then I’d argue you’re not making enough critical decisions to create a new piece of art. Further, it’s always good form to credit the original source for your erasures.”
