Fearless Poetry Workshop

Now celebrating 19 years at The Writing Salon, this workshop keeps drawing people who want to jumpstart their poetry practice and to keep the engine oiled. You’ll do plenty of writing and reading at home each week, and we’ll have lively workshop discussions about both the craft and the process(es) of poetry in class.

Each week’s homework assignment provides a fresh angle of approach designed to surprise, even startle both the writer and their readers. “We all get stuck in familiar ruts,” says instructor Julie Bruck, “and this class offers ways of digging ourselves out, whether we use these strategies to start a new poem or to revise a particularly challenging one. With fresh poems on the table each week for workshop, an initial question is often, how does this poem move? Our group task is to offer constructive help in locating and enhancing that movement. Poets are always learning how to read their own drafts (and those of others), much as we keep learning how to read the world. The craft of poetry need never be at odds with wildness.”

This class is suitable for a wide spectrum of people. “We’ve had students with an interest in poetry but no experience writing it. Others come with MFA’s from Iowa or with books, and it’s always been a good mix," says Julie. “The aim of the class is to get everybody excited about new work, to take away strategies that can help with current and future writing—and to have a great time and create community, all at once.”

About The Writing Salon's In-Person Classes

In-person class schedules are subject to sudden change or cancellation due to Covid. We will communicate any course changes to you as quickly as possible. Masking, social distancing, and other Covid measures will be enforced in accordance with local guidelines. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about your class. If you have any questions about in-person learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.