Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): When I Woke Up, I Dreamed: Writing about Place

This class will be hosted remotely! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! 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 via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Class Description: Our location is imbued with so much information. Where we live, work, and go to school is often raced, classed, gendered, and determined by (dis)ability. The ways we move through those spaces are also deeply informed by any number of identities and experiences we hold. In this class, we will read work from Indigenous writers that explore different frames of understanding place, of understanding land, and our relationships to both. Texts may include "I Sing Barranco" by Harriet Arzu Scarborough, "Intergalactic Travels: Poems From a Fugitive Alien" by Alán Pelaez Lopez, "Whereas" by Layli Longsoldier, "When My Brother Was an Aztec" by Natalie Diaz, and selections from George Abraham's writing.

This class is primarily poetry-based, but all genre interests are welcome!

Takeaways: Students will leave the class with the beginnings of pieces exploring their relationship to places in their lives.

Who Should Register?

For writers ages 13 - 18 ONLY. Writing notebooks are available, but feel free to bring your own.

Remember, parents/guardians must also complete this permission form online before the start of the class. Otherwise, registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply. If the student is 18, simply let us know at [email protected]

*If you are registering on behalf of your teen, add their email information in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen before you check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet. 

(After adding the class to your cart, click “Checkout” and click “Add” next to “For a Friend or Child?” on the right-hand side to fill in their email. This is an easy way of linking the class to your child and encourages them to create their own account.)