Rogue Shakespeare® (aka Ryan J-W Smith) – the most prolific sonneteer in world history released his first 1,000 sonnets at the beginning of July, in his new book: Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – Truth in Verse – Part I: The Path to Enlightenment in the Brave New World. Parts II and III of Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets are expected to be released in December 2026 and summer 2027 respectively, taking Smith’s published total to 2,702 sonnets.
Written as the spiritual verse diary of Smith’s alter ego, ‘Rogue Shakespeare’, from November 20, 2007 to September 11, 2024 – Parts I, II & III span his life in England, Florida, Australia, New York, California, Denmark, France and Spain. Like Samuel Pepys before him, Smith has written himself into history as the premier diarist of his time.
But Smith’s poetic masterpiece is much more than just an awe-inspiring 17-year secret diary written in strict rhyming iambic pentameter! Boldly political, highly personal, and provably prophetic, Smith challenges the
current global order, as much as he strips his artistic soul naked before us. Smith published the first 500 of his sonnets in 2012 in 500 Shakespearean Sonnets: The Diary of a Poetic Quest for Truth, which received widespread critical acclaim.
Watkins Magazine described the collection as “candid, spiritual, philosophical and sometimes boldly political … a landmark in literature.” Scotland’s The Herald hailed it as “splendidly contemporary … a tour de force“, while Neon Literary Magazine praised its “impressively well-constructed” nature and its “fascinating and richly detailed picture of the author.” Book a Poet called the work “awe-inspiring” and praised its political edge, describing it as “honest and very real.”
The trilogy will be followed by a collected edition, Rogue Shakespeare’s Bible (Parts I, II & III), containing 37,828 lines of rhyming iambic verse—more than the Odyssey, the Iliad, and all of Shakespeare’s sonnets combined. Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets; Wordsworth wrote around 600; and Smith’s closest rival, the
prolific Spanish poet Lope de Vega, wrote around 3,000 sonnets. Smith has now written more than 3,370 personal, spiritual, political, and prophetic sonnets, making him the most prolific sonneteer in recorded history.
To help promote his books and show off his skills in verse, Ryan has created both a unique podcast and live show called, The Rogue Shakespeare Experience, during which he demonstrates his ability to write perfect iambic sonnets on any given subject in around 5-10 minutes. Smith first demonstrated this ability back in 2006 live on BBC Radio in a weekly segment the BBC called, ‘Good News, Bard News’.
Ryan said – “I’m delighted, after more than 25 years of writing verse, to finally be releasing the bulk of my life’s work to the world; sharing my joy and passion for creating raw and honest poetry with everyone, young and old. I hope to inspire people to put down their phones and AI, pick up a pen and notebook, and start rhyming their way to spiritual fulfilment, calm and inner peace.”
Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – Truth in Verse – Part I: The Path to Enlightenment in the Brave New World
Direct from publisher: HERE
Amazon: HERE
Waterstones: HERE
