Time for One Poem – Poetry Club for New Parents!

Hello! I've been running poetry workshops for beginners for nearly 3 years, and while I was pregnant I decided I would run some for people with new babies - so here I am! As a parent of a new baby, I use the word 'workshop' lightly...

The course is aimed at all levels - whether you have never read a poem in your life/since school, or used to read poetry avidly before you became a parent and your brain turned to mush. If you've always wanted to get into reading or writing poetry but didn't know where to start, or if you love poetry but don't feel like you have the time or headspace to read any at the moment - this is the course for you!

The sessions will be relaxed and informal: we will read a poem together and chat about it before attempting a writing prompt, with lots of time for tea, biscuits, chatting, feeding, crying (babies or parents) etc. The writing part is optional - some people might just want to read and chat - but if you want to we will make it work: pens and notebooks will be provided, but we will write one-handed on our phone Notes app if needed (or we'll give up and eat biscuits!).

Important Info

• You can bring your baby with you if you like, or, if you can and want to, you can come on your own. If you bring your baby, you will need to hold them throughout unless they are asleep in their pram.
• The course is aimed at new parents with babies from newborn up to about 3 or 4 months old - only because these are the most likely to sleep through the sessions. Older babies are welcome but we don't have the capacity for babies that are crawling around/eating solids. So if your baby is doing either of those things you can still come but you will need to arrange other care for your baby.
• Because there will be babies there, expect the unexpected! There will need to be breaks, feeds, nappy-changes, comforting, reflux, you name it. You also might need to come later or leave early. If you miss anything I will send the poem and prompt after the session for you to try at home.
• The course is in a block of 3 sessions. I decided to do this rather individual workshops because over the years I've seen the value in running blocks where people get to know eachother and build up confidence - this makes it much easier to share your writing with each other. You may not be able to make all 3 workshops, that is fine - but having it in your diary might make you more likely to get out there!

When: Wednesdays 9th, 16th, 23rd September

What time: 1 – 2:45PM (1 hour and 45 minutes)

Where: Glasgow Zine Library, 32-34 Albert Rd, Glasgow G42 8DN (2 minutes walk from Queens Park train station)

Price: Sliding scale - £30/£39/£45 (£10/£13/£15 per session) for the full 3-Week Course*

~ £39 is standard price ~ £30 for concessions ~ £45 if you are able to pay it forward towards concession tickets (thank you!) ~

Accessibility: The venue is fully wheelchair (and pram) accessible. Baby changing available.

*Send me an email at [email protected] to pay another way, or if you have any other questions

Feedback from Previous T41P Workshop Attendees:

About the Facilitator

Annie Muir is an experienced workshop facilitator with a Masters degree in Creative Writing from The University of Manchester. Alongside the T41P workshops she also runs workshops in the community with a focus on mental health (GAMIS) as well as working with people with English as a Second Language (Ubuntu, Maryhill Integration Network, Glengale Women's Cafe).

Annie has two poetry pamphlets published by Broken Sleep: (2021) and Middle Child (2026). She has a Creative Scotland funded podcast, Time for One Poem, aimed at complete beginners to poetry and started a monthly open mic night in the Southside of Glasgow with a focus on getting first-timers on stage and attracting people who don't usually go to poetry events.

Read more about Annie here.