Saturday, April 24th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  San Francisco
$95 members/$110 non-members

Waiting to be struck by an inspirational bolt of lightning can be seductive, but it gets lonely out there under the tree. “Too much waiting can dampen the spirit,” says instructor Julie Bruck. “There are other ways to get in touch with your creative muse, ways that we’ll explore in today’s workshop.” Read the rest of this entry »

9 Thursdays, April 29-June 24, 7-9:30 p.m. San Francisco
$335 members/$365 non-members

This workshop is intended for people who want to jump start their poetry practice and to keep the engine oiled. You’ll do plenty of writing and reading, and have lively discussions  about both the craft and the process of poetry.  The weekly homework assignments (workshopped the following week) are designed to provide fresh angles of approach that can suprise, even startle, both the writer and his/her readers.  “We all get stuck in ruts,” Julie says, “and the class offers ways of digging ourselves out, whether we use these strategies to simply get started at writing or to revise a particularly challenging poem.”

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5 Saturdays, May 29th-June 26, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.    Berkeley
$185 members/$215 non-members

“Many beginning students come to a poetry class hoping for quick critiques and suggestions for revision.  There are times when it’s right to want this, but not until you’re nearing the final draft,” says Alison Luterman. ” The first ten, twenty or hundred times writing and revising the poem are a discovery process. What more is there underneath the poem? What leaps can you make? What gems can you uncover?

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Hello Jane,

I told Julie how much I enjoyed her “Fearless Poetry Workshop” and I wanted to share it with you.  I look forward to seeing everyone and hearing their poetic voices.  Julie has been the greatest support and the greatest teacher in the editing process.  I only experience support from her.  The work we do is always how to make our voices stronger or truer.  Never a “no”, always a redirection.  It is subtle and powerful.  I never thought I would be able to write “on command”  and surprised myself by being able to do just that.  I have signed up for the six month course and feel so lucky that it was offered at just the right time for me.  Your place is such a gem.

Marilynn Meisenheimer

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James Arthur was an outstanding teacher, one of the best writing teachers I’ve had and I’ve had quite a few!! I really liked his class [The Poem You Weren't Expecting] and am hoping he will teach again in the fall! . . .The course met my expectations very well! It helped me come at writing poetry in new ways which I really appreciated!

Peggy Rasmussen

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James is a terrific teacher. He was really good with classroom management, and mostly succeeded in satisfying the needs of everyone. His knowledge of the subject is absolutely stellar; he always had great suggestions for further reading and study that couldn’t be covered in the class. He’s also one of the most articulate people I have ever heard. The quality of feedback and critique was outstanding. He inspired everyone to aim higher and achieve more.

I have enjoyed all of the courses I have taken at the Writing Salon, but James’ course was the one I learned most from.

Best Regards,

Tai