Write Yourself Into Your Surroundings

When our identities are erased or misrepresented in the world around us, it can fall upon the alchemy of writers to imagine our full selves back into it's architecture. Personification and worldbuilding are powerful tools in both poetry and fiction for this endeavor. They can serve to represent aspects of our identities and create worlds that work on our terms, with no one's permission necessary other than our own. In this class, we'll be looking at the works of JJ Espinoza, Shira Erlichman, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Clint Smith to see how they use everyday objects and places as mirrors and megaphones for their own worries, strengths, and quirks. We'll also look at how these authors commit to images throughout their pieces to make believable micro worlds and powerful discoveries. Poets and fiction writers are welcome as we learn together by doing, practicing these tools ourselves, and responding to the prompts in whatever genre we choose. 

Better worlds are possible. Let's get to work imagining them.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.