The Idea of Order: A Poetry Manuscript Workshop with Elizabeth Metzger

Overview

The Idea of Order: A Poetry Manuscript Workshop.

In this intensive 24-week manuscript workshop, you will be guided in transforming a sheaf of poems into a carefully constructed manuscript. Whether you are working on a full-length collection, a chapbook, or a hybrid project, we will workshop your manuscript with your goals of publishing in mind. How does a book build continuity and variation, enhancing clarity while retaining mystery? We will discuss various ways to think about arranging a manuscript, demystifying the process and the parts of a manuscript while expanding our ideas about order. We will discuss the parts of a manuscript from titles to epigraphs, beginnings to endings, and how to think about sections in terms of theme, form, and rhythm. Readings will include manuscript-craft essays by a range of poets such as Diane Seuss and Victoria Chang, in addition to select contemporary collections to consider as models.

Each writer will turn in their manuscript for workshop three times (spaced over our time together) so we may track each manuscript’s evolution on micro and macro levels. Optional generative prompts and prompts for manuscript revision will be provided, and you will come away with written and verbal feedback from instructor and peers on three iterations of your manuscript. Our approach will remain individualized to each poet’s project and concerns, including time to address questions about the publishing landscape and submission process.

You can be at any stage of constructing your manuscript to take this class, but you must have at least 20 pages of poems at the start. To apply, please submit a portfolio of your 10 strongest poems by 5 PM, January 18.

Scholarships and payment plans are available. For more information, please visit https://www.92ny.org/about-92ny/scholarships

Please be advised this class skips May 31 and July 5.