The New Weird Poetry!

Class Description

Perhaps when we think of genres of poetry, we think of standard forms like the sonnet, limerick, or haiku. But the tropes of fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres can all appear in poetry, as well. From the Romantic poets like Christina Rossetti engaging with folk tales and myths to the nightmarish verses of Edgar Allen Poe and Algernon Blackwood, there is a long history of poetry with speculative elements. Since the establishment of the Rhysling Awards for speculative poetry in 1978, the tradition of speculative poetry has only grown more popular and diverse. Now more than ever, genre-blending is more prevalent than ever in the poetry world, expanding what the form can do and inviting readers into new worlds…sometimes in only a few words.

In this workshop, we will explore how to use elements of science fiction, horror, and fantasy in your poetry—word-building in microcosm. You will leave the workshop with a draft of one poem, and new ideas for creating new, compelling worlds in just a few lines.

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.