6 - week Poetry Fundamentals (with Carolyn Zaikowski) - ONLINE
This is for poets of all levels, whether beginners who want to start writing poetry, or more experienced poets who'd like a space for continued learning and generation. We'll explore fundamentals of poetry including lyric and narrative poetry, the line, sound elements, and imagery, plus classic (sonnet, haiku, ghazal, sestina, etc.) and modern (surrealist, dada, prose poetry, hybrid, etc.) forms. Each week in class, we’ll use readings and fun in-class writing exercises focused on poetry generation and developing various skills via discussion, fun exercises, and informal sharing; at the end of the course, we'll explore revision methods and get the opportunity to formally workshop a set of poems, including formal instructor feedback. By the end, you'll have a portfolio of at least eight poems to move forward with, plus an education in poetry concepts, generation, and revision. At-home work will be approximately one hour per week of writing exercises and reading.
Suitable for beginners who want to start with poetry. Also very suitable for advanced students who want to learn more about higher-level concepts and form they might have never had explicit instruction around, plus neat revision strategies, etc.
Includes: At home exercises and readings. Discussion via break out rooms and large groups. No google classrooms will be needed.
Limited to 10 writers.
WHEN: 6 Weeks: Mondays, June 14 - July 19 (6 - 8pm EST)
WHERE: Online, via Zoom video conference
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
CAROLYN ZAIKOWSKI is is the author of two hybrid novels. Her fiction, poetry, and essays have appeared widely, in publications such as The Washington Post, The Rumpus, PANK, West Branch, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA from Naropa University's Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics and is currently an English professor and volunteer death doula.
RECEIVING THE ZOOM LINK: For one-day workshops, we send out the link to attend the Zoom session 1 - 2 days before the event, via email. For multi-week workshops, you should receive info and the link about 3 - 5 days before. Please mark your calendars when you first register and look for our emails. If you don't see the email in your inbox on the day before the class, please check your spam and junk mail folders (and search all folders) for an email from joy@pioneervalleywriters.org before contacting us. We have found that very often our emails end up in those folders. This is based on your own email settings, and you can prevent this by adding our email as a contact.
ONLINE SESSIONS happen remotely, via Zoom video conference. All you need is a laptop, computer, or phone with functioning audio and a webcam. Those who RSVP receive directions and a link to "join" the session via email (please see above note about receiving the Zoom link). All online instructors will log on to the video conference a few minutes before the start of the session, so please plan to log on early if you'd like assistance! We'll do everything in our power to help you get comfortable with the Zoom format, though we are not able to offer technical assistance beyond basic Zoom orientation.
REFUND & CREDIT POLICIES AT PVWW
Because of non-refundable fees that we, PVWW, must pay for every transaction that happens, we are not able to give full refunds to those who register then withdraw from a workshop or class. If you withdraw from a workshop ten days or more before the start of the class: You'll receive full credit toward another workshop or class of equal value OR a refund minus 10%. If you withdraw from a workshop nine days before the start of the class up until 48 hours before: You'll receive full credit toward another class OR a refund minus 30%. If you withdraw from a workshop less than 48 hours before the start of a class or after the class has begun: We are not able to offer you credit toward another class or a partial refund, unless in the case of a medical emergency. If we have to cancel a class for any reason, you will receive a full refund, or if you choose, a credit in the amount of your payment, to be used for any future PVWW class. Anyone who does not specify whether they would like a refund or a credit for a cancelled class within 3 months will automatically be refunded. Please contact Joy (joy@pioneervalleywriters.org) for all matters concerning credit and refunds.