Poetry Workshop Content & Conduct Policies

I'm so glad you're thinking about joining me for an upcoming poetry workshop! Before you do, I want to make sure you have all the information you might need about what to expect. 

Conduct: First of all, please do understand that I move in circles including folks with widely-different backgrounds, lifestyles, religious convictions, and socio-political identities. Since my workshops are open to anyone who learns about them, I don't have control over the makeup of any specific workshop group, and there's a good chance you may find yourself enrolled alongside someone very different from you. I hope you're as excited as I am about the prospect of learning and growing in the company of people who will be bringing their own (possibly challenging) experiences to the table. 

When it comes to tone and atmosphere, writing groups and workshops can be a pretty mixed bag. In my workshops, it is my request that participants prioritize civility and courteous engagement towards fellow-writers, and seek to be hospitable to one another in thought and action. 

Content: It is my hope that my poetry workshops will prove a safe place for writers to share stories and ideas about hard experiences and difficult topics, should they wish to do so. However, in the interest of ensuring group sessions don't become too overwhelming or triggering for other participants, I do ask that writers avoid submitting content that contains gratuitous violence or explicit sexual references. While painful subjects like trauma, abuse, and even sexual violence are not "off-limits" in our workshops, they should be addressed with discretion and consideration for the well-being of others.

Up to this point, I haven't found it necessary to stipulate any specific hard and fast rules governing content, and I'm hopeful participants will continue to exercise a discernment and mutual respect that will make such steps unnecessary. 

Should you choose to trust one of my writing groups with your treasured work, I very much look forward to sharing workshop sessions with you!