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Poetry in the
Woods Workshop 2024

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October 4, 5 & 6, 2024

James Kimbrell

James Kimbrell

James Kimbrell directs the Creative Writing Program at Florida State University. His poems have appeared in anthologies including the Best American Poetry and the Pushcart Prize Anthology. The recipient of a Ruth Lilly Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, His most recent collection is Smote (2015, Sarabande Books) and his forthcoming collection The Law of Truly Large Numbers is due out with University of Pittsburgh Press in 2025.

Jason Vasser-Elong

Jason Vasser-Elong

Jason Vasser-Elong is a professor of English and African American Studies in the Pierre Laclede Honors College at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL), where he recently earned a Doctorate of Education with a focus in Educational Practice. He is an applied - anthropologist with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology with a concentration in African Diaspora studies. He is the author of Shrimp (2Leaf Press, 2018).

Elizabeth Hoover

Elizabeth Hoover

Elizabeth Hoover is an Assistant Professor at Webster University in Saint Louis where she teaches classes like Archival Poetics, Genderqueer Frankenstein, and LGBTQ+ Literature. She is a poet, essayist, and critic. Her first collection of poetry, the archive is all in present tense, received the 2021 Barrow Street Book Prize and her creative nonfiction has appeared in Southeast Review, North American Review, and StoryQuarterly.

Kerry James Evans

Kerry James Evans

Kerry James Evans is a professor in the MFA program at Georgia College & State University and serves as the poetry editor for Arts & Letters. He is the author of Bangalore (Copper Canyon), a Lannan Literary Selection. He earned a PhD in English from Florida State University, an MFA in creative writing from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and a BA in English from Missouri State University. His forthcoming collection, Nine Persimmons, is due out in 2026 with University of Nebraska Press.

Andrea Scarpino

Andrea Scarpino

Andrea Scarpino has published the poetry collections Once Upon Wing Lake, What the Willow Said as it Fell, and Once, Then, and the co-edited anthology Undocumented: Great Lakes Poets Laureate on Social Justice. She received a PhD in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University, and an MFA from The Ohio State University. She is also co-editor of Nine Mile Magazine and served as Poet Laureate of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 2015-2017. She teaches at St Louis University High School.

Shane Seely

Shane Seely

Shane Seely directs the MFA program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. His poems have appeared in journals nationwide, including The Southern Review, Prairie Schooner, Notre Dame Review, and Antioch Review, and have been featured on Poetry Daily and Verse Daily. He is the author of three previous books of poetry, The First Echo (LSU Press, 2019) The Surface of the Lit World (Ohio University Press, 2015 Winner of the Hollis Summer Poetry Prize) and The Snowbound House (Anhinga Press, 2008)

PITW Workshop Details: 2024.

Scholarship Opportunity

Scholarships are available for applicants from the St. Louis Region whose combined household income is below $50,000. Additional Student Scholarships will also be awarded.

Member Discounts

Already a member of one of our partner organizations? If not, become a member and still receive the member discount.

No Cost to Apply

There is no fee to apply and the application form takes only a few minutes to complete.

Workshop Breakdown

Flat Workshop Rate: $125

Membership Rate: $75

Student Rate: $50

Ten Scholarships: $0

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If accepted, applicants will be notified of their acceptance rate.

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NOTE: Participants are responsible for travel and lodging costs.

More Questions?

Visit the FAQ section below or reach out via email to admin@poetryinthewoods.com.

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You can begin your application by navigating to Apply located on the top menu of the website.

Workshop Description

Up to twenty applicants will be selected to join our poets for a three-day immersive poetry workshop on Friday, October 4th, Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th.

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There will be faculty-led poetry discussions, inspiring nature hikes, open air readings, and a campfire poetry reading and wolf howl at the Endangered Wolf Center.

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When & Where*:

Day 0 (Friday, 10/4/24) 3PM - 7PM CST: Icebreaker event held in Forest Park at Art Hill, St. Louis Zoo, and Art Museum (Optional/Encouraged). Faculty-led Poetry Hike through Forest Park (3PM - 5PM CST). Open-air, No-mic Poetry Reading by faculty and participants on Art Hill (5PM - 7PM CST).

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Day 1 (Saturday, 10/5/24) 9AM - 5PM CST: Optional Pre-Workshop Faculty-led Poetry Hike in Castlewood State Park, River Scenic Trail (9AM - 11AM CST). Workshop will be held at Wildlife Rescue Center in Ballwin (12PM - 4PM CST). Post-Workshop tour of Wildlife Rescue Center (4PM - 5PM CST). Optional happy-hour dinner event (6PM - 7:30PM CST). Rideshare available. Participants should bring a sack lunch (snacks and drinks provided).

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Day 2 (Sunday, 10/6/24) 1PM - 8PM CST: Workshop will be held at the St. Washington University's Tyson Research Center in the Living Learning Center (1PM - 4PM CST). Followed by a Campfire Poetry Reading by faculty and participants and a guided Wolf Howl at the Endangered Wolf Center (5PM - 8PM CST). Rideshare availale. Snacks and drinks provided. Dinner will be provided (gluten free, dairy free, vegan).

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* Specific program details with instructions will be sent to all selected participants. Any participant accepted into the program MUST be able to attend both workshop days.

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Selection Process:

Applications for the Workshop can be submitted through this website and will be reviewed by PITW. Applicants are required to complete a short questionnaire and submit a sample of their poetry.

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Timeline:

Applications window will remain open through September 15, 2024..

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Costs:

There is no cost to apply for the Workshop. A minimum of 10 eligible applicants will be awarded scholarships (financial and student) and members of our partner organizations will be given a member discount.

Workshop FAQ

Is there a schedule activities for the Workshop?

Yes, a formal schedule will be made available to all participants who are accepted into the workshop.

 

There will be organic, faculty-led discussions, inspiring walks/hikes through secluded Missouri woods, dedicated composition time, group workshop where participants can get feedback from peers and faculty, and a capstone campfire poetry reading and wolf howl.

Who reviews applications for the Workshop?

Each application is selected by a member of PITW. 

How are faculty selected for the Workshop?

All faculty are selected based on their expertise in the craft. But also, PITW works hard to bring in local and visiting faculty with ties to the St. Louis region. We are also focused on bringing in voices from a wide range of backgrounds and orientations with a focus on inclusiveness. Each year, you can expect to see new faces and names.

Will food/lunch be provided at the Workshop?

Light snacks and beverages will be available all day. Lunch will be provided Saturday and Dinner provided on Sunday. Participant may opt to bring their own meals to the workshop.

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What if my application is not accepted this year?

Keep an eye for next year's application window. The seats are competitive, but we also want to extend the opportunity to as many St. Louis Area poets as possible. Also, visiting faculty rotate.

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Also, there will likely be a waiting list. Should an accepted applicant drop out, those on the waiting list will be offered a seat.

If I was accepted and attended workshop last year, can I apply again this year?

Yes. 

If I'm accepted, what time should I arrive at Workshop each day?

Workshop participants should expect to arrive a minimum of 1/2 hour before Workshop begins.

What do I need to bring to Workshop?

Participants can bring their own preferred writing materials (including journals, laptops, tablets, etc.). Legal pads and writing implements will be provided.

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Poems for Workshop: Applicants who are accepted will be invited to submit a selection of poems for workshop (up to 10 pages).

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Dress for the weather: On Saturday, the workshop will hike approximately 3 miles with a moderate elevation increase. Participants are not required to participate in the hike and may instead opt for outdoor composition time. All outdoor activities are subject to the whims of the weather. Participants should check the weather and dress appropriately (a decent pair of sneakers or hiking shoes is recommended) and umbrella in case of rain.

Do I need to attend both days of Workshop?

Yes. Seats are competitive, and PITW wants to ensure the seats are filled.

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Apply Now

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