Join us for this five-week online poetry workshop focused on poetic forms. Write to inspiring prompts, get insightful feedback and connect with a supportive community of writers.
Online WORKSHOP
Sunday, September 6 – Friday, October 9, 2020
Limited to 12 participants
Led by Stephanie Cawley
In “Poetry is Not a Luxury,” Audre Lorde writes, “Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought.” In times that feel uncertain, nameless and perhaps formless, turning to poetic forms can help us begin to shape our shapeless-feeling experiences.
In this five-week course, we will examine and write in a wide range of poetic forms—from traditional forms like the sestina and the villanelle, to contemporary forms like the golden shovel and hybrid forms. We’ll explore the freedom that can be found in constraint and the possibility for breaking a form to reveal something new.
Each week, you will receive a curated selection of reading materials, craft notes and prompts that will lead you to write two poems. You will receive feedback on what you write from both your peers and the workshop leader. You will be given weekly deadlines to write and submit poems and to give feedback on others’ writing, but you can read and write at your own pace.
“This was a fabulous workshop. I would definitely take another, and refer other writers. It was challenging and made me stretch myself in ways I would not have done if writing on my own. I give major kudos to Stephanie Cawley for her detailed and insightful feedback on my work. I feel very fortunate to have found this forum.”
~ Cynthia, Wilmington, DE
FACULTY
Workshop Leader
Stephanie Cawley is a writer, educator and arts administrator from southern New Jersey. She is the author of My Heart But Not My Heart, winner of the Slope Book Prize chosen by Solmaz Sharif, and the chapbook A Wilderness from Gazing Grain Press. Her poems and other writing appear in Verse Daily, The Boston Review, The PEN Poetry Series and West Branch, among other places. She holds an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, and she is the Director of Murphy Writing of Stockton University. Her next book Animal Mineral is forthcoming from YesYes Books in 2022. Learn more at stephaniecawley.com.
“Stephanie Cawley is a wonderful poet and teacher. She’s impressively well read, hard working and responsive to her students. She made excellent choices of poems and other materials for us to read, and she did a terrific job of writing class materials and organizing and responding to our assignments.”
~ Barb, Sicklerville, NJ
How It Works
Schedule
The course will begin with an optional welcome session held over Zoom on the first Sunday (September 6). The course will conclude with an optional closing Zoom session, to be determined.
Each week’s materials will be made available on Sundays by 5pm EDT. You will submit the poems you write in response to each week’s prompts no later than the following Sunday. You will write comments on your peers’ poems and receive written feedback on your own poems by Friday each week.
You will receive further details about each deadline and assignment once you enroll in the course.
technical requirements
Materials for the course will be shared using a free online platform called Canvas. You will need a computer or tablet and internet access in order to use Canvas. You will also need access to word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word).
We will begin and end the course with optional conference call sessions held over the platform Zoom. To fully participate in these, you will need access to a webcam and microphone. Those built in to a laptop, tablet or smart phone will do.
Pricing + Registration
Tuition — SLIDING SCALE: $300-$400
Tuition for this program is based on a sliding scale between $300 and $400. If you are able to pay at the higher end of the scale, you will help Murphy Writing offer affordable programming and scholarships for writers.
Tuition INCLUDEs
- A curated selection of readings, craft notes and prompts to inspire you each week
- Access to a private space for sharing your writing with workshop participants
- Personalized written feedback from your workshop leader on up to 8 poems
- Two optional hour-long Zoom calls with your workshop leader and fellow participants
If you have trouble registering online, or if you don’t receive an email confirming your online registration within 24 hours, email us at info@murphywriting.com.
The Fine Print
- By registering for this program, you are agreeing to uphold our Code of Conduct
- Full fee due upon registration
Cancellation Policy
“The course was well structured. Stephanie kept in touch on a regular basis through comments and emails. I really enjoyed the fact that I got feedback from a variety of people in the course.”
~ Susan, Boca Raton, FL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m new to writing workshops. Will I fit in?
Absolutely! Our experienced workshop leaders plan their courses to benefit both beginning and experienced writers. We pride ourselves on building an encouraging community of writers where all feel welcome.
I’ve taken dozens of workshops. What will I get out of this one?
Our faculty challenge experienced writers to push beyond their usual limits. If you have been writing for decades, they will compel you to go deeper, take more risks and experiment with form and content. We know that experienced writers benefit from our programs based on the fact that hundreds of “re-PETERs” have attended three or more of our writing getaways.
I’ve never taken an online workshop before. Do I need special equipment?
No. If you’re reading this website, you probably have everything you need to take this course. You can participate using a laptop or desktop computer, or even a tablet or smart phone.
I’ve already taken this course. Can I take it again?
You can take this course again; however, please be aware that the prompts and readings will largely be the same. If you are looking for community and would like to write new material to the same prompts, you are absolutely welcome back.
meet our community
View our full collection of Writing Getaway photos.
Questions?
Call 609-626-3594 or email info@murphywriting.com.
Write with us.
