A Year of Forms

In this online yearlong workshop, we will meet once a month via Zoom to study formal (and sometimes not so formal) aspects of poetry. This is an opportunity to learn about forms you’ve never studied before, develop appreciation for forms you dislike, and undo misconceptions you might have about some formal aspects of poetry. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice writing in a variety of forms, and receive supportive critique of your work. The year is broken into four series focused on a specific theme. While you’ll get the most out of the workshop if you commit to the whole year, you can also choose to join just for a specific series, or take workshops a la carte based on your interests.

Upon registration, poets will receive 1-2 craft essays and a brief selection of poems to read before workshop day. I will also send a poetry prompt to help inspire you before our session. For those who commit to the whole year or to a series, I will send materials for each workshop on the first of the month. 

What To Bring to Each Class

1. A poem draft for workshop
2. Notes and/or ideas about the reading 
3. Your copies of the reading materials
4. Your favorite writing tools

Each class will include a discussion of the reading, time to write, a craft talk, and a workshop session.

Series 1: Not Your High School Writing Class

Sonnets for the 21st Century [REGISTRATION CLOSED]
April 24th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST

Haiku Beyond 5-7-5 [REGISTRATION CLOSED]
May 29th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST

Free Verse Does Not Mean Chaotic Verse
June 26th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
Register below

Series 2: Playing with Paradigms

The Golden Shovel: A Poetic Conversation
July 24th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
Register below

Variations on the Abecedarian
August 28th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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Lyric Lists
September 25th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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Series 3: The Long Haul

Cyclical Rhyme: The Sonnet Crown
October 23rd, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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A Sense of the Sestina
November 20th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
Special Guest: Elizabeth Kropf 
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The Epic of Everyday Life
December 18th, 2021
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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Series 4: Forms of Resistance

Prose? Poem?
January 22nd, 2022
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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Poetry is Where You Find It
February 26th, 2022
1:00-5:00 pm CST
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Blending and Bending Genre
March 26th, 2022
1:00-5:00 pm CST
Register below

Registration

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Optional One-on-One Sessions

If you want one-on-one feedback on the poems you are writing for these workshops, you can sign up for a private session. Sessions run 60 minutes, and are best done within two weeks of our group workshop.

After you register, I will send you a Google Calendar link with appointment availability. Sign up for your preferred time, and send me your work at least 48 hours before our scheduled session.

All private sessions are intended for Zoom. However, when it becomes safe to do so, local poets can have the option of meeting face-to-face.