This two-part poetry workshop is all-encompassing, from the craft of writing and reading poems, to the business of publishing, to building a professional artist profile, and to applying for residency opportunities designed for poets.
Part 1: Writing
Week 1: Assume Form: The first draft as a conduit for magic – An introduction to poetic form and craft, identifying the core or “skeleton” of your poems and adding flesh through literary devices.
Week 2: Perfect Form: The embrace of craft as a resource, not a restriction – How to put your poem into different “containers” to find its perfect shape for both the page and the stage.
Week 3: Break Form: Experimenting with the rules of poetic form to find your voice – Finding your point of deviation from work that inspires you and learning what makes your perspective unique.
Part 2: Editing & Publishing
Week 4: Ruthless editing (“Kill your darlings!”) – The path from experimental first drafts to edited poems that are ready for submission, putting all our new knowledge to work on the page.
Week 5: Truth-telling: Analyzing and critiquing new poems in our closed workshop setting, receiving constructive feedback on new work and giving others feedback on their work.
Week 6: Strong endings: Compiling a portfolio of completed work, submitting poems to literary journals, poetry prizes & chapbook contests, putting together a poetry collection.