Writing Poetry that Presses into the Dark

INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Gajkowski-Hill

TIME: Saturday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST

PRICE: Early bird price: $45 for members, $60 for nonmembers. The deadline for early bird pricing is Sunday, April 16. After Sunday, April 16: $55 for members, $70 for nonmembers. Become a member here. Apply for a scholarship here.

LOCATION: Writespace, 171 Michigan St, Houston, TX 77006 (map)

LEVEL: All Levels

CAP: 15

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” -Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven

Were you a child mesmerized by the poetry of Poe? Did you have a “Sylvia Plath” phase?

It’s time you delve into your darkest poetic instincts! By reading some of the “heavy-weights” of dark poetry, the class will explore extended metaphor, fairy tale templates (in the style of Anne Sexton), and Kubler-Ross’ well-known “five stages of grief” to create disturbingly beautiful work. It’s well-proven that writing promotes healing and is restorative: trauma can be turned into art!

In this generative workshop, we will look into the darkness to help us find the light. Participants may come with some written pieces to develop and workshop or feel inspired to create totally new works. Gain motivation and new energy from a community of fellow gothic poetry fans.

Sarah Gajkowski-Hill has published The Job Poems (based on the biblical Job) and been anthologized in “The Connoisseurs of Suffering.”