Wednesdays 6-8PM, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 (Makeup Class: 4/6)

Cost: $400, with financial aid very available to residents of Greater Philadelphia (Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties).

In this workshop for intermediate-to-advanced poets, we'll be focussing on questions of how poems are made, formal composition strategies, and how to build a robust writing practice. During our time together, we'll experiment with parataxis, anaphora, process-based, and collage techniques to create poems. Through weekly readings, discussions, prompts, and workshops, participating poets can expect an emphasis on surprise, embodiment, and what the poem demands of its poet. Each student will have several chances to have 2-3 poems workshopped and receive feedback from the class and instructor. Prospective readings include works from Paula Gunn Allen, Russell Atkins, Jean Day, Jennifer Tamayo, Sherwin Bitsui, J.H. Prynne, and more.

Ted Rees is a poet, essayist, and editor who lives and works in Philadelphia. In spring of 2022, Roof Books will publish Dog Day Economy, two books of poems written in 2020. Previous works include Thanksgiving: a Poem, which was a finalist for a 2021 Lambda Literary Award, and In Brazen Fontanelle Aflame, which was published by Timeless, Infinite Light in 2018.  Chapbooks include the soft abyss, The New Anchorage, and Outlaws Drift in Every Vehicle of Thought. He is the founder and co-editor (with Levi Bentley) of Asterion Projects, and is also editor-at-large for The Elephants.