This workshop is full. To be added to the waitlist, email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org.
An Epistolary Poetry Workshop
Level: All Levels
When was the last time you received a letter in the mail? Letters are a vital ritual of connection, a communication that extends beyond the words or message themselves to encompass an entire range of sensory experiences: the anticipation we feel as we open the mailbox and find an envelope, the sound of tearing paper as we slide a finger under the seal, the work of deciphering the familiar or unfamiliar handwriting, the color of the ink, the texture of the paper held in our hands as we read. The one who has written to us is absent and yet they are, in some way, here in the room with us by virtue of their letter. We can hold evidence of them in our hands. We can smell their scent as it wafts from the page, filling our own homes. Popularized by Horace and Ovid during the Roman Empire, the epistle remains a powerful and captivating poetic form—and one that seems particularly crucial to our present moment, in which the community-building and grounding, physical aspects of letter-writing can provide us with much-needed antidotes for our current state of social polarization and isolation. In this workshop, we will read a wide range of contemporary epistolary poems by poets such as Solmaz Sharif, Matthew Olzmann, and Lucille Clifton and engage various prompts and exercises for writing our own epistolary poems. Together we will practice the art of reaching out, of connecting, by stretching our imaginations across the physical limitations of geography, time, distance, and language to ask ourselves: Who or what do you most need to write to? Who or what do most need to hear from?
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online via Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. On Thursday, March 17th from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, MWPA staff will offer a tech help session on Zoom. Students are encouraged to attend the tech help session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, if they have any tech concerns, use Zoom infrequently, or simply would like to test their connection, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Julia Bouwsma is the current Poet Laureate of Maine and author of two poetry collections, Midden (Fordham University Press, 2018) and Work by Bloodlight (Cider Press Review, 2017). She has received the 2019 and 2018 Maine Literary Awards for Poetry Book, the 2016-17 Poets Out Loud Prize, and the 2015 Cider Press Review Book Award. An off-the-grid homesteader and farmer, Bouwsma is also the Library Director for Webster Library in Kingfield, ME and teaches Creative Writing at the University of Maine at Farmington.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Meghan Sterling at programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on March 10th at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION