Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Writing Poetry Through Records and Artifacts

Class Description

An archive is a collection of historical records and documents, from photos and letters to receipts and legal declarations, it’s a site anyone can visit to learn more about a certain topic. In this class, we will ask ourselves how we as writers can access archives to open up suppressed histories and breathe life back into the stories of those lost but not forgotten. Inspired by writers like M NourbeSe Philip, Saidiya Hartman, Charles Reznikoff, Robin Coste Lewis, John Keene, Sylvia Wynter, Cristina Sharpe, and Jess Row, we will practice how to embody the archives we uncover both on and off the page, imagining different possible pasts, presents and futures, while working through the ethics of writing stories that aren’t necessarily ours. Through examples, guided discussions, writing and research exercises, students will start poems that revive underrepresented histories and leave with experimental writing techniques to apply to future work. For writers of all experience levels, age 13 - 18 ONLY. We always end with a cross-class open mic where all sessions' students are invited to share and listen to each other's work!

Accommodations:

Snacks, pizza, pens, notebooks, and a limited number of loaner laptops will be provided.

MBTA passes can be requested using this Food and Transportation Request Form.

Registration Instructions:

• Register for the class by clicking the red "ADD TO CART" button and following the checkout instructions through our website. If you do not have an account, you will be able to make one easily. When making the account, please use your preferred name.
• If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
• If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this Teen Participation Permission Form online. You only need to fill this form out one time, not for every class. Please complete it with the student's preferred name. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
• If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].

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If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re excited to write with you this spring!