The Poetry Class – 2023 Edition
Autumn 2023
May 6th to June 4th, 2023
Reading for Writing: Examining the Ockhams
A five-session Reading for Writing course with a New Zealand focus, taking a close look at the books shortlisted for the poetry category of the 2023 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. (Shortlist announced 8 March, winners announced May 17th.)
We’ll talk about what makes for a Best Collection, what this suggests about the current state of poetry in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how we feel about the judges’ selections.
A combination of close reading with writing exercises.
Suitable for all levels.
Saturday afternoons, May 6, 13, 20, 27 & June 3, 2023
(five sessions)
2 pm to 5 pm
The Boardroom,
South Library
66 Colombo St
Beckenham
max 10, min 6
Fee: $45
OR
Sunday mornings, May 7, 14, 21, 28 & June 4th, 2023
(five sessions)
10 am to 1 pm
Online via Zoom
max 10, min 6
Fee: $45
Supported by Christchurch City Council Creative Communities fund
To enrol, please visit the Current Classes page.
Late Winter 2023 (dates t.b.c.)
Reading for Writing: Look Fively
A five-session Reading for Writing course, based on five recent(ish) poetry collections from my bookcase.
All the poetry-lovin’ deep diving that you’ve come to expect, combining close reading with writing exercises and lots and lots of discussion.
Suitable for all levels.
Saturday afternoons
2 pm to 5 pm
The Boardroom,
South Library
66 Colombo St
Beckenham
Fee: $45
OR
Sunday mornings
10 am to 1 pm
Online via Zoom
Fee: $45
Supported by Christchurch City Council Creative Communities fund
What you’ve missed so far:
January 14th & 21st, 2023
The End of the Line: an introduction
A two-session deep-dive into the most under-appreciated tool in the poet’s toolbox: the line break.
Pacing, emphasis, comprehension, scansion, resistance, scoring, disguise, parsing, enjambment, surprise … learn what an incredible difference this simple device can make, and how (not to mention why) to employ it in your own poems.
Suitable for those already comfortable with the basics of writing poetry.
Saturdays, January 14th & 21st, 2023
10 am to 1 pm
(two sessions)
The Boardroom, South Library
66 Colombo St
OR
Sundays, January 15th & 22nd, 2023
10 am to 1 pm
(two sessions)
on Zoom
Cost: $20
Supported by Christchurch City Council Creative Communities fund
February 11th to March 19th, 2023
Reading for Writing: Irish Poets
They say you can’t throw a brick in Ireland without hitting a poet …
Beyond Yeats and Heaney, a five-session stroll around the work of contemporary Irish poets – will it be Eavan Boland, Colette Bryce, Paul Durcan, Derek Mahon, Medbh McGuckian, Sinead Morrissey, Paul Muldoon, Matthew Sweeney … ? You’ll have to come along to find out!
A combination of close reading with writing exercises.
Suitable for all levels.
Saturday afternoons, Feb 11, 18, 25, & March 11 & 18
(five sessions)
2 pm to 5 pm
The Boardroom,
South Library
66 Colombo St
Beckenham
Fee: $45
OR
Sunday mornings, Feb 12, 19, 26 & March 12th & 19th
(five sessions)
10 am to 1 pm
Online via Zoom
Fee: $45
Supported by Christchurch City Council Creative Communities fund
A Dark Feathered Art 