Classes and Workshops
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For 35 years, I've taught a wide variety of creative writing, composition, and literature classes to adults, children, college students, and incarcerated adults and teens.
I am an encouraging, practical, and inspiring teacher. I love watching students get that "aha moment" as they discover something gorgeous in a poem we are studying, or as they see a way to revise their work and more fully realize their vision for the reader. I have received awards for Excellence in Teaching from The Loft Literary Center, the University of Utah, and the Jerome Foundation. I currently teach at a variety of literary arts centers across the country - as well as at regional book festivals and conferences and in private homes in the Washington, DC area. |
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Upcoming Online & In-person Classes
Poetry Chapbook Workshop Intensive
COHORT 1: Sept. 16 - Nov. 25, 2024
COHORT 2: TBD
Every other Monday; 7-9:30pm ET on Zoom
$425/cohort or $800 for both (payment plan available)
LIMIT 6 poets/cohort
Interested poets will submit a small sample of poetry to insure a good fit
More info here!
Titles as Portals to Deepen Revision
Sponsored by The Loft Literary Center
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
9am-1pm CT / 10am - 2pm ET on ZOOM
Register now!
Titles can expand a poem’s meaning and impact—or hold back important revisions. We’ll review the six main kinds of titles, study strong examples, then do some exercises to find new titles that perhaps lead to stronger revisions. Bring 2-3 poems (not first drafts) that still need a good title. In this 4-hour hands-on class, you'll have lots of time to revise your poems and discuss the process with the class.
Introduction to the Craft and Beauty of Poetry
6 Saturdays, Nov. 2 - Dec. 14, 2024
10am - noon at The Writer's Center
Register now!
“I am amazed by the amount I learned!” is what participants say about this popular class. This workshop is for writers looking to begin, or deepen, their exploration of poetry with a focus on craft. Each session is devoted to one aspect of craft—imagery, line, form, voice, etc.—and begins with a chance to share your work aloud (not workshop). Participants learn by discussing great poems, reading short, engaging chapters, and doing fun weekly assignments. One session will be devoted to revision. Please bring a copy of The Poet’s Companion by Addonizio and Laux to the first class.
COHORT 1: Sept. 16 - Nov. 25, 2024
COHORT 2: TBD
Every other Monday; 7-9:30pm ET on Zoom
$425/cohort or $800 for both (payment plan available)
LIMIT 6 poets/cohort
Interested poets will submit a small sample of poetry to insure a good fit
More info here!
Titles as Portals to Deepen Revision
Sponsored by The Loft Literary Center
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
9am-1pm CT / 10am - 2pm ET on ZOOM
Register now!
Titles can expand a poem’s meaning and impact—or hold back important revisions. We’ll review the six main kinds of titles, study strong examples, then do some exercises to find new titles that perhaps lead to stronger revisions. Bring 2-3 poems (not first drafts) that still need a good title. In this 4-hour hands-on class, you'll have lots of time to revise your poems and discuss the process with the class.
Introduction to the Craft and Beauty of Poetry
6 Saturdays, Nov. 2 - Dec. 14, 2024
10am - noon at The Writer's Center
Register now!
“I am amazed by the amount I learned!” is what participants say about this popular class. This workshop is for writers looking to begin, or deepen, their exploration of poetry with a focus on craft. Each session is devoted to one aspect of craft—imagery, line, form, voice, etc.—and begins with a chance to share your work aloud (not workshop). Participants learn by discussing great poems, reading short, engaging chapters, and doing fun weekly assignments. One session will be devoted to revision. Please bring a copy of The Poet’s Companion by Addonizio and Laux to the first class.
Feedback from Recent Participants
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Voice & Tone in Persona Poems
"I am loving your class so much. Just soaking up as much as I can. Your teaching style is a really good fit for me and the selection of poems you chose for this class - i want to eat them!! Building a Poetry Chapbook
"Your class has been tremendously insightful to me and helped me think of my work differently already." "Thank you for the well structured and insightful course." Traditional & Contemporary
Poetic Forms "Thank you for the reminder to be OK with being messy and imperfect. What kind and generous words you gave us this morning. I'll take them to heart." Create a Writing Routine That Works
"The handouts were very helpful as takeaways from the class, and Melanie was super awesome." "Practical information that I can implement." "The pacing of class was perfect." |
Line Breaks: Tools of Musical Notation
"This class is fabulous! You are blowing my mind. I should have taken it long ago." Starting a Memoir
"Thank you so much-yesterday was invaluable and far exceeded already high expectations." Revision as Discovery
"I'm looking at revision in a whole new way. The exercises you shared are a game-changer for me!" Writing for Procrastinators
"You are a fantastic instructor! You are very creative in pulling the class together with small discussions and what not. And, I love the reading assignments." "I appreciate your judgment-free class." "Your course has helped me to get started with my writing again, every day, and revitalized my passion for my book. I'm very grateful for what you've given us." Exploring Memoir
"Thank you for this class! Very motivating!" "Many thanks -- very helpful!" " Great class!" Submit Your Stuff to Literary Magazines
"Your class on submitting work was really, really great. I've taken a class in submitting work a few years ago and I have to say, yours was much more thorough." Sestinas!
"Thanks for class today. I just wanted to say, this was by far the best Loft class I've taken. I'll hope to take more from you in the future." |
Reviving Stuck Poems
"Your workshop yesterday was fantastic. It has really opened up my thinking about the poems I revised during the session. A new direction in one and a connection I hadn't totally grasped in the other. I plan to use the activities in the future. Thank you for giving me these most helpful tools. I feel liberated." Write Stronger Poetry Titles
"Thank you for this workshop. You’ve given me great ideas for revision and I appreciate your worksheets; very useful and helpful!" "I really enjoyed your class this morning. I appreciate your organization and excellent teaching style. I learned so much and feel like I have new tools at my disposal to not only create better titles but to improve my poems! Thank you so much." Poetry II: Re-imagining Critique
"Thank you for leading a great workshop. It has helped me be a better reader for others and a better judge of what feedback I would like for my work." Starting a Large Writing Project
"So useful and encouraging! The principles you covered are going to stay with me!" |
Praise
- "Thank you for your class on Submitting Your Poems. I followed your excellent advice and voila! I had 3 poems accepted. This is my first publication in over 10 years. Now I'm ready to keep trying to get my work out into the world - all thanks to you."
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- "Melanie is a treasure—a quirky, committed, talented treasure. She was/is as good or better than anyone I had at my Ivy League university. Most notable, she cares.”
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