Writing biography through poems

What can happen when a life unfolds through a sequence of poems?

Through playful exercises we’ll explore some of the exciting ways that poetry sequences can tell a life story. We’ll look at how poets including Ruth Padel, Yusef Komunyakaa, Pascale Petit and Maitreyabandhu have created vivid evocations of historical figures and consider how a sequence of poems can create imaginative connections and echoes that a conventional prose biography cannot.

Please bring an idea for someone you might like to write about – eg a historical figure, artist, scientist, or even a family member you never knew.

About Amanda Dalton

Amanda Dalton is a poet, playwright and writing mentor. Recent poetry publications include Fantastic Voyage, her third collection with Bloodaxe, and Notes on Water (Smith|Doorstop). She also writes extensively for BBC Radio 4 and 3, most recently the essay series Musicians on the Couch and drama The Observer’s Book. She lives in Hebden Bridge and is a Visiting Teaching Fellow at MMU’s Writing School and Manchester University. Her website is amandadalton.co.uk

Zoom

These workshops will be conducted via Zoom. We have put together this simple 'How To' document to help you download Zoom, join a meeting, and navigate around the meeting features (such as adjusting video and audio, uploading files, and sharing screens).

You will receive a confirmation email from Ticket Tailor with your ticket and the Zoom invitation, containing the meeting link and Meeting ID & Password.

Someone from The Poetry Business team will be on hand prior to each workshop to offer additional help in getting connected.

There is usually a lot of interest in our workshops: in the interest of fairness, please limit yourself to one workshop ticket in every two week period.

Bursary Spaces

There are two bursary spaces available per workshop for writers from groups that are under-represented in contemporary poetry (for instance because of ethnic background) or who are experiencing financial hardship. If you would like to apply for one of these bursary places, please contact workshops@poetrybusiness.co.uk

Refunds

If you no longer wish to attend the workshop please let us know by emailing us. We ask for 3 working days' notice before the workshop starts in order to offer a full refund, and enable us to offer the place to someone else.

Though we will do all we can to help you get set up with the technology it is the participants' responsibility to ensure that their camera, microphone and other computer settings are configured correctly. Please contact us (workshops@poetrybusiness.co.uk) if you are concerned about getting set up for Zoom.