The Shape of Poetry workshop series

Many of us feel intimidated by formal poetry: Some of us consider it too restrictive and governed by rules, while others write exclusively in form. This workshop is an invitation to all writers of poetry, whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, to explore the creative potential of poetic forms.
Our monthly sessions happen on the second Saturday of the month from 2pm til 4pm in The Community Works. During each of our workshops, we will look at the conventions of a particular form such as the sonnet, ghazal, or haiku, read example poems, and write our own versions. This workshop will be a collaborative space for us to explore how experimenting with limitations or restrictions in our writing can give us whole new ways of expressing ourselves, and open unexpected doors! Whether you’ve never written a poem before, have just started to write, or aren’t sure if what you’re writing is poetry, this monthly workshop is a chance to carve out some time for writing.
In each workshop, we’ll read a poem together, and use it as our starting point. We’ll suggest some prompts you could take from the poem, and ideas you might like to borrow. There will be plenty of time to write, and plenty more prompts if you get stuck. At the end of the session, you’ll be able to share what you’ve written in a supportive environment.
All you need to bring is yourself – these workshops are here for you to enjoy writing and build confidence in your voice. The workshop is open to anyone aged 16+.
Tickets are priced at £5 for general admission (£10 for those able to donate a bit more, £2 for those on lower income) and registration is required. If this cost would be prohibitive to your attending, please email us at [email protected] and we can allocate you one of our limited free spots in the workshop.
Note that the sessions on 13 July, 12 October, and 14 December will happen online - links to the Zoom session will be circulated to attendees in advance of these events.
The Oxford Poetry Library is an accessible space but please do contact us in advance if you have specific requirements. You can email us about this or with any questions about the workshop at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Oxford Poetry Library