You're invited to become a 2024 member.
An affinity group for Poetry Forge Alumni.
Together we write, discuss, revise, share work in progress, and even submit it for publication.
Those who have taken at least one class within Poetry Forge are warmly welcomed to join us. Enrollment opens once a year in December/January.
A Note from Holly
Since 2019 I’ve hosted a circle of faithful writers in what has become the Casual Union of Working Poets. We meet monthly for workshops, Live on Zoom, and over time, bodies of new work have been written, even published. Secret poets have become fully fledged poets in the world. Friendships have formed. Folks have founded steady writing practices anchored in our twice-monthly gatherings.
Because everyone present has participated in Poetry Forge workshops at one time or another, we share a common ethos, and there’s a feeling of familiarity and ease that catalyzes breakthroughs, connections, and valuable conversations. For members, this cadence and community has offered a space in which to foster a sustainable and sustaining creative practice.
When you become a member, I'll host you for a full year of poetic community, accountability, and support around the art and craft of poetry. As I open the doors to you, my current and former students, I am guided by these questions:
~How can this union foster a sense of belonging among poets and secret poets?
~ How can our gatherings restore those inner habitats, and personal habits so essential to artists?
~What can we do and create together that wouldn't be possible alone?
Fellow writer: whether you're a secret poet, publishing poet, exhausted academic, or a happy student who has appreciated the ease and structure of past Poetry Forge workshops, I invite you to join our Casual Union.
- Holly Wren Spaulding
Author, Teacher, Founder
Membership Details
Enrollment opens once each year and renews annually at the same time. You received 11 months of twice monthly workshops--one focused on writing new work and the other intended to support the process of developing and revising that work.
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Two Ways to Connect Each Month
Monthly generative writing workshops happen live on Zoom on the First Friday (except January) at Noon EST, offering a sustained, guided writing experience intended to yield one or more new poems per session. The final 15 minutes is set aside for open discussion about craft and creative process. You can expect to write at least one new poem per month for the whole year if you attend.
Our first workshop of 2024 happens on Friday, February 2 at Noon Est.
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Open Studio Time takes place on the Third Thursday of the month at 3 pm EST offering accountability, community and a place to make progress on your poems and personal writing projects.
Facilitated readings from work in progress (no critique) conclude the hour which is otherwise spent working quietly, side by side, following brief opening remarks from Holly.
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Aching to see your work in the world?
Once each quarter Holly will bring focus to the process of preparing and submitting work for publication, and offer resources and answers to your practical questions along the way.
A Bonus: each month during 2024 I'll release another video from the much loved Poetry as Consolation archive. Many others have found it inspiring to write alongside these recorded workshops which provide a third point of contact (and effective writing provocations) within each month.
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Annual Membership in C.U.W.P. is $540. Five month payment plans mean you will pay $108/month with the first payment due at enrollment.
Reach out to Holly if you have any questions.
"Thanks for the badassery you bring to poets, sharing the best poems, developing magic prompts. My (recently published) poem came from your hard work and standards."
—Yvonne S., Member since 2019
What else is possible when we feel welcomed, ensconced, and valued within a community of kind-hearted, creative peers?
Become a 2024 Member
