A new programme of poetry workshops and masterclasses in Birmingham.
Go to the bottom of the page for pictures and comments from the workshops.
MAKING POETRY WORKSHOPS start in Birmingham in Spring 2008. The monthly workshops will cover a range of topics, both technical and inspirational, led by Jacqui Rowe and Meredith Andrea, with masterclasses devised and presented by leading poet Mario Petrucci. Writers at all levels of experience are welcome to come to any of the workshops or masterclasses.
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“Years ago, workshops with David Hart changed my life by starting to make me believe I was a poet. I know how important good quality workshops are for your development as a writer so I’ve put together a programme I’d like to go to myself, with tutors I respect and admire to help me lead it.”
Jacqui Rowe
WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
All workshops take place on Saturdays from 1.30 to 4.30 pm
10th May
SELF AND OTHERS
To whom, or what, is your poem addressed? And who is doing the talking? We’ll consider a range of possibilities, from simple personal statements to poems that speak in other voices and strike up unexpected conversations. This workshop, with Meredith Andrea and Jacqui Rowe, is an invitation to try out some new and different perspectives.
14th June
TREASURES OF THE CITY
Who’s Ebony? Where are the standard measures? What are green men? To find the answers, join Jacqui Rowe and Meredith Andrea on a treasure hunt round Birmingham city centre, and come back with plenty to write about. We’ll also look at other poets’ take on the city. (Wear suitable shoes for walking and bring an umbrella, just in case)
19th July
MASTERCLASS - BEGINNINGS AND SURPRISE
Getting started, surprising the reader, surprising yourself – how do we get all that to happen? Mario Petrucci leads an exciting workshop for poetry or prose.
9th August
GETTING IT OUT THERE
What can you do with your poetry when it’s ready to face the world? Jacqui Rowe takes you through some of the practicalities of preparing manuscripts, submitting to publishers and facing up to rejection and offers some motivating exercises as well.
20th September
MASTERCLASS - MEMORY, EXPERIENCE, OBJECTS: FUEL, ENGINE, CAR
What we write comes mostly from sharp experience, whether recent or buried in the past, often prompted by resonant objects and places. How can we best access memory and experience to drive our writing forward? Mario Petrucci offers expert tools and a good wrench.
25th October
FINDING THE FORM
How does a poem find its form? This practical workshop with Meredith Andrea and Jacqui Rowe explores how to negotiate with tradition. We will look at haiku, sonnets and more and try these forms for ourselves to see how they fit…
15th November
ROLLING THE DICE
Chance and randomness are good ways of generating ideas, but where does the game end and the poem begin? Jacqui Rowe takes you through some unusual ways of finding inspiration and shaping the poem. Be warned: this workshop will involve cutting and sticking!
Beginners and those with more experience are welcome at all workshops and masterclasses. Each is free-standing, so come to as many as you choose.
THE TUTORS
The first poet in residence at the Imperial War Museum and with BBC Radio 3, Mario Petrucci is a major exponent of public art, authentic performance and hybrid forms, particularly science in poetry. Heavy Water, his award-winning poem about Chernobyl, was made into a film by Seventh Art. His most recent collections are Flowers of Sulphur (Enitharmon) and somewhere is january (Perdika). An acclaimed creative writing tutor, Mario is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Arvon tutor and founder of Writers’ Inc, which has provided workshops and residential courses for nearly a decade.
“Always focused, purposeful and stimulating."
- Julian Bell, Head of English
“Genuinely dynamic and approachable. A writer of stature, yet more than that he is a writer of the greatest generosity who can ignite the interest of others."
- Martyn Crucefix
Meredith Andrea teaches a regular poetry appreciation course in Birmingham, and works as a poetry editor and reviewer. Her pamphlet Grasshopper Inscriptions was published by Flarestack in 2006
Jacqui Rowe works extensively as a creative writing tutor in schools and with adults, including the Write On course for staff in schools. She teaches the Making Poetry evening course at MAC, Birmingham, where she also hosts Poetry Bites. Her collection, Blue is published by Flarestack.
“Thanks for your stimulating ideas and positive feedback."
“I so much enjoyed the course. You have such a gift of being able to encourage." -Participants on courses run by Jacqui Rowe
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £16/£13 for a single workshop
£60/£48 for 4 workshops booked at the same time
£99/£82 for 7 workshops booked at the same time
Places are limited so early booking is recommended. To book a place contact Jacqui Rowe through this website, on jacquirowe@hotmail.co.uk or on 07971018825
The monthly workshops and masterclasses will take place in the beautiful Shakespeare Memorial Room, which is easily accessible on public transport and close to New Street Station.
