How to Write Non-Didactic Political Poetry

This is a 4-week poetry workshop for writers who want to learn how to write about politics and social media in a nuanced, engaged way, without sounding too preachy or like a chant in a march. Come explore different approaches to writing poetry that engages with the world we live in. We'll be talking about how to use form and different poetic choices to fill your writing with more  layers and subtleties. 

The workshop will take place in Jarry Park. In case of rain, another location nearby will be offered. 

What we will do?

The workshop will not just be me lecturing at you! I'm quite interested in engaging in dialogue with people taking the workshop because you all come with your own knowledge and interesting things to say. I will also be teaching form and editing, so don't worry, I'll be sharing my knowledge. But I won't be setting up the space of me as expert and you as non-experts. We'll be challenging that dynamic as much as possible. We'll explore a form or two each week. I'll send a mix of poems and "theory" a week in advance, and we'll discuss them together during the workshop. I will also be bringing writing prompts to each class for us to do. 

Who can join this workshop?

The workshop is only open to anyone with any level of poetry knowledge. Beginners are welcome! 

I've created a ticket system with three tiers. Please pick the tier that genuinely reflects your $ situation. For example, anyone who makes under $30 000 a year is low-income. If you'd like to pay for a free spot for low-income individual (i.e. pay it forward), feel free to get in touch at elitareq.elb-l@proton.me

If you can't afford the workshop and want to work something out, please reach out! 

Payment

In order to reserve your spot, please select the tiered ticket of your choice and then either pay through ticket tailor OR send your payment to elitareq.elb-l@proton.me (my autodeposit is set up) within 48 hours. If you need more time, feel free to email me at elitareq.elb-l@proton.me before reserving your spot and I'll see what I can do.

Who am I?

I'm Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch, a poet, writer, translator, and editor working on my first novel! I've written two hybrid books of poetry, knot body and The Good Arabs, which won the Grand Prix du Livre de Montréal 2022. I love working with form, breaking the rules, and experimenting in writing. I love teaching and have taught many workshops, including many 8-week workshop series. My approach to teaching is one that shares the knowledge I've gained throughout my career while being open to the knowledge my students bring to the workshop. The workshop is pre-planned before we start but we will still work together to build a workshop that works for us as a group; I'm always flexible with what I teach, giving some space for spontaneity. I've worked as an editor professionally for the past ten years, editing poetry, prose, and non-fiction. Last year, I co-edited an anthology called El Ghourabaa, a collection of writing by queer and trans Arab and Arabophone writers. I've been a writing mentor and a writer-in-residence at the Arab American National Museum.