Do Bestselling Authors Still Write Proems In Modern Books?

I’ve noticed that proems—those poetic interludes in prose—are a rarity in modern bestsellers. Contemporary readers tend to favor fast-paced narratives, and publishers often prioritize marketability, which sidelines poetic experimentation. However, there are exceptions. Margaret Atwood’s 'The Handmaid’s Tale' includes verses like the chilling 'Night' poem, proving that proems can still pack a punch in dystopian fiction. Similarly, Madeline Miller’s 'Circe' uses lyrical prose that borders on poetic, though it stops short of formal proems.

In YA, 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller and 'Long Way Down' by Jason Reynolds incorporate poetic elements, but these are more verse novels than books with scattered proems. The trend seems clear: standalone poetry sells (think 'Milk and Honey'), but proems within novels don’t. Even in fantasy, where Tolkien-style lore-poems once thrived, modern authors like Brandon Sanderson prioritize plot over verse.

That said, niche literary fiction sometimes bucks the trend. Ocean Vuong’s 'On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous' blends prose with poetic fragments, though it’s not a traditional bestseller. If you’re hunting for proems, your best bet is revisiting classics like 'The Lord of the Rings' or exploring hybrid works by indie presses.

I’ve been a voracious reader for years, and I can confidently say that modern bestselling authors rarely focus on writing proems in their books. The literary landscape has shifted towards novels, short stories, and non-fiction, with poetry often confined to dedicated collections rather than woven into mainstream fiction. That said, some authors like Rupi Kaur or Lang Leav have found massive success with poetic works, but their books are entirely poetry collections, not narratives with embedded proems.

Even in genres like fantasy or literary fiction, where lyrical prose is celebrated, actual proems—structured, standalone poems within a story—are uncommon. Authors might use poetic language or include verses as epigraphs, but full-fledged proems are a niche choice. If you’re craving modern proems, you’re better off exploring indie authors or specific poetry-forward works like 'the poet x' by Elizabeth Acevedo, which blends verse with narrative.

I’m a huge fan of both poetry and modern fiction, and I’ve yet to see bestselling authors regularly include proems in their books. The closest you’ll get are lyrical passages or epigraphs—like the haunting quotes in 'The Starless Sea' by Erin Morgenstern—but full proems? Almost unheard of. Even in genres like magical realism, where you’d expect poetic flourishes, authors prefer immersive prose over interrupting the flow with verse.

There’s a practical reason for this: today’s readers often skim or speed-read, and proems can feel like speed bumps. That’s why even poetic writers, like Haruki Murakami, keep their verse separate (see his 'Yesterday'). For true proem enthusiasts, I’d recommend exploring cross-genre works like 'Autobiography of Red' by Anne Carson, which straddles poetry and novel. Or dive into 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran—old but timeless. Modern bestsellers? They’re playing it safe.