Emilie Jane Yardley-Hodges

Share your raw and polished literary efforts with our supportive and dynamic community. Explore different poetic, non-fictional, and fictional forms of writing as you learn to find, build, and develop your own stories. Each class is the ideal blend of writing exercises and experiments, peer critique and feedback, and discussion of curated readings hand-picked by your instructor. All levels are welcome; no prior experience is necessary.

Part seminar and part workshop, this course will introduce students to both the fundamentals and possibilities of the poetic form. Through close study of the works and lives of three masters of poetic craft¿Lucie Brock-Broido, Louise Glück, and Marie Howe¿students will engage in lively discussions, practical experimentation, and in-class critiques, building the skills necessary to developing their own poetic voices. No prior poetry experience is required¿all skill levels are welcome.

Whether penning the Next Great American Novel (poetry collection, or memoir), or preparing a writing sample for a fellowship, grant, or MFA application, you will gain insightful feedback workshopping new or existing projects. Each class will provide you the opportunity to receive and provide personalized critique with an eye towards revision. Weekly readings will consist of students work, supplemented by essays on craft and excerpts from Kamau Brathwaite, Sloane Crosley, Joan Didion, Maggie Nelson, and Rebecca Solnit, among others.