Note: Though this class is offered as part of the Certificate in Poetry, there is no pre-requisite to join this class. All students, members, and nonmembers are encouraged to enroll.

In this final workshop of the Certificate in Poetry program, the student will concentrate on the design of a publishable manuscript. The student will continue workshopping poems, reading and analyzing books of poetry, providing valuable comment and feedback on each other’s manuscripts. Further, the student will discover publishing sources for individual poems and contests for chapbook and complete book manuscripts, the necessary recordkeeping for this endeavor, and practice how to give a professional poetry reading.

For students not ready to compile a manuscript, each class also includes a writing prompt, short lesson or introduction to a poet, and a read & critique session.

• Each participant will choose one poetry craft book and submit by week 5, a one to two page analysis of the book.
• Poem prompts will be given each week with the anticipation that the participants will generate new work.
• Students will prepare a number of copies of their completed manuscript for distribution to the other students at the end of class three.
• Participants are expected to actively participate in the read and critique portions of the workshop for both individual poems and manuscripts.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this workshop, you will have

1. Finalized the formation of a publishable manuscript
2. Developed a poetry record-keeping procedure
3. Submitted poems to three different publications
4. Participated in a read and critique of student manuscripts
5. Practiced giving a professional poetry reading
6. Read and analyzed one book of poetry craft

WEEK 1

Introduction to Poetry V. Review tips for evaluating a book of poetry, poem critique, workshop etiquette. Where to send your poems and manuscript. Read and critique workshop if time allows.

Homework: Pick/order your one poetry craft book. Begin to craft/organize your poems for the manuscript you will distribute to students at class end, week three. (the number of
copies to be determined by the number of students)

WEEK 2

• Record keeping and analysis of manuscript
• Read and critique workshop

WEEK 3

• How to give a poetry reading

WEEK 4

• Manuscript workshop
• Read and critique manuscript workshop

WEEK 5

• Manuscript workshop
• Read and critique manuscript workshop
• Class celebration!