As poets, we love language—and fight with it. Language (in the mouth, on the page) is one way humans can experience and express the world: not only words on a page, but a bodily feeling as one speaks and hears poetry. These are ways language creates meaning, and helps us define ourselves and belong. The illusion of belonging is when language fails us: draws us in, but holds us at a distance. True belonging is when language connects us across…

"An anniversary celebration of poetry and prose with friends from BOA Editions and the University of British Columbia’s MFA in Creative Writing!"

Telling the truth is perilous for women writers in a pussy-grabbing, #metoo movement era. Whether you're reporting in the Middle East, retelling personal trauma, or sexing up a hot bedroom scene, it's easy to feel exposed. We've got you covered with this multi-genre roundtable. With topics ranging from global travel and dicey field research to balancing risqué self-revelation and academic appointments, we'll talk about what's at stake for women writers who embrace risk in the name of narrative. *Must be…

Camille Dungy will be only the second poet (and creative writer) to offer the English Program's Bastian lecture, which will be on the topic of redefining nature poetry. Professor Dungy publishes poetry and non-fiction that emerges out of the intersection of ecology, culture, and race. She is editor of the groundbreaking anthology, Black Nature: Four Centuries of African-American Nature Poetry, and is also the author of five books of poems, most recently Trophic Cascade. Her first work of creative non-fiction,…

“In this 2-hour session, we’ll explore various strategies for how to get started, how to keep going, and how to improve what you’ve already written! This is a mixed genre class, welcoming poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. No need to come with anything prepared, just bring an open mind and your favorite writing instruments…” Register here!