An Embarrassment of Riches
Free Online Community for Poets and Writers
Every writer I know wants to improve their work, listen and learn from other writers, generate new work in community, and have time to focus on their practice away from their busy lives. This is easier said than done. Yes, reading helps. We can check out and read craft books and literary criticism from libraries, and we can read our peers widely to learn from them. And many writers have peers for workshopping or quiet writes, but sometimes it’s helpful to get inspired by people outside of your circle.
However, attending writing workshops/conferences/residencies is not necessarily an affordable or time-manageable option. Just a small sampling of popular conferences/workshops bears this out. (Prices listed do not include travel costs, and two do not include accommodations.)
AWP Conference: $400-500 registration for a four day conference. Napa Valley Writer’s Conference: $25 to apply; Tuition of $1200 for the week. Sewanee Writing Conference: $2000 for 12 days. Vermont Studio Center: $2700 and up for 12 days to a month. Typical online class: somewhere around $50 per hour of contact time.
This is not an argument that everything should be free. Instructors and readers and organizations should be paid for their labor. It is a lot of work to plan and run a course or a workshop, even a generative one. I have spent money to attend conferences like AWP and have found them to be valuable. But unless one is granted a fellowship or a grant, this model is not one that can be accessed by many writers most of the time, especially those writers who are outside of academia and have no funding support for attendance, or those who cannot take two weeks or more away from family or work obligations.
Luckily, there is a veritable treasure trove of free/affordable resources online that can fill some of those needs. I have not even scratched the surface with the list below, but I will share just a few of my favorites. Hopefully you’ll find one that will interest you —and if you know of other resources, feel free to share them in the comments! (If I have attended something in the past that is NOT on this list, it is not a slight in any way. So many things…so little space.)
Generative Workshops
Sundress Publications Poetry XFit - Offered once a month, these generative workshops have a moderator and take suggestions from the gathered group to create prompts and then write/share these first thoughts in community. These events are held from 2-4PM EST on the third Sunday of every month. All events are free and hosted via Zoom, which can be accessed at tiny.utk.edu/sundress. Upcoming events include:
October 20th with Alexa White
November 17th with TBA
December 22nd with Shira Haus
Sarabande Zine Lunch! - Offered most Fridays, Zine Lunch! presented by Sarabande Books is a free online workshop for micro-writing and art. Hosted by Natalie Wollenzien from 12 - 1PM EST via Zoom, Zine Lunch! is designed to be a fun and low-stakes way to make time for creativity. In each lunchtime session, an author or artist leads attendees through the creation of a small work of writing or art in zine form. A library of these sessions is available if you sign up to be a Zine Lunch Regular (FREE as well) so that you can access them as your personal schedule permits. Upcoming presenters include Catherine Chen, Aimee Suzara, KB Brookins, Seamus Issac Fey, and so many others.
Free Conference Sessions/ CraftMaterials
The Tell It Slant Festival, run by the Emily Dickinson Museum, not only offers free virtual access to many of their programs as they are happening, they have a YouTube Channel of past readings and sessions from the conference. I attended one on Zoom this year, and I will definitely go back through the older sessions.
Alina Stefanescu is a brilliant mind and a generous one. Her website features an Index of prompts, craft talks, close reads, and other literary journeys that could keep one nourished for months. Here is just ONE document among hundreds, even thousands, of materials on the site. (11 Strange Writing Prompts)
Craft Chaps from Sundress Publications - Five years worth of free PDF craft chaps available for download covering a wide range of poetics and narrative/essay topics. Contributors include Chen Chen, K. Iver, Meg Cass, and many others. (There is a link to make a donation to support the series, but the PDFs are free.)
Reading Series
I am always inspired to write when I hear the writing of others. Here are a few online reading series that have video archives for you to enjoy.
A Hundred Pitchers of Honey hosted by…me! Readings occur once a month on Zoom, and an archive of the past couple of years can be found on the YouTube channel here.
Wild and Precious Life Reading Series hosted by Dustin Brookshire. (This was the series that inspired me to start mine…) Readings once a month. Archive of past readings can be found here.
The NAWP (Not at AWP) Reading Series - hosted by Mitch Nobis and Jared Beloff. Born from the idea that not everyone can go to AWP, Mitch and Jared host a variety of events under the NAWP umbrella. An archive of past readings can be found here.
The Be Well Reading Series, hosted by ELJ Editions/Editor Nicole Tallman. An archive of readings can be found here.
So what are you waiting for? Close your wallet, open your mind, and get inspired!
Great info - thank you!