Considering writing a book of poems? Not sure where to begin? This is a four-part, drop-in series. Each of the four sessions focus on a different stage of the writing process. Attend one or all sessions!
All sessions are geared toward writing a book of poems, a visual art book featuring poetry, or a chapbook. María Fernanda will provide examples.
Join The American Poetry Museum for this series of workshops focusing on building your manuscript. This experience invites both writers at the beginning of their process and writers who have written sections of their manuscript and are looking for feedback. The Concept Book is the idea that manuscript is formed around one or two major themes that house a series of poems and expressions. Final works will be presented at a culminating event. There will be four parts: Theme, Introduction, Arc, and Resolution.
The Theme
This workshop will help us determine what we want our manuscript to focus on. The first part of the class will be generative for those deciding what to write about. In the second half of the class, participants are invited to bring three poems that they have already written prior to this workshop to receive support in deciding which theme might be more resonant for a Concept Book.
The Introduction
There are infinite ways to draw your reader in. This workshop focuses on examples of how various authors have chosen to invite their reading into their poetry manuscript. For example, participants may notice some authors begin their work with a brief poem speaking broadly to the book’s overall theme while other authors may open their books with an extensive poem, to both immerse the reader and exercise the reader’s commitment to continue reading. Participants who are bringing already-written work may arrive after the first 30 minutes, skipping the generative portion.
The Arc
This workshop is about identifying the strongest threads and patterns in your manuscript, as well as the rising and landing across them. This is not about asserting a particular narrative nor a definitive storyline. Instead, this is about discussing what we are communicating to the reader and what do we want to say now, such as Why this approach?, Why by this author? We will discuss the first part of arranging a manuscript. Participants who are bringing already-written work may arrive after the first 30 minutes, skipping the generative portion.
The Resolution
This workshop focuses on examples of how various authors have chosen to close their poetry manuscript. For example, participants may notice some authors close their manuscripts with a sense of questioning while other authors may have a definitive ending that invites the reader to re-read the inner plotlines and minor themes throughout the book. We will discuss the second part of arranging a manuscript. Participants who are bringing already-written work may arrive after the first 30 minutes, skipping the generative portion.
This experience invites both writers at the beginning of their process and writers who have written sections of their manuscript and are looking for feedback. The Concept Book is the idea that manuscript is formed around one or two major themes that house a series of poems and expressions. Final works will be presented at a culminating event.
HOW TO RSVP for The Concept Book — RSVP-ing helps us determine the number of people to expect. Walk-in’s welcomed. Here’s how:
-
Please click “Register”; it will take you to the Venmo of @poetrywithmariafernanda.
-
In the What’s this for? entry window, please type in
-
(1) “Theme”
-
(2) your preferred email address
-
(3) $10. You will receive an official Welcome Note closer to the date with the event details!
-
