This workshop will be a basic introduction to modernist and postmodernist poetics, for poets looking to hone their formal poetry writing skills. We will discuss and practice different approaches to writing such as imagism, expressionism, futurism, surrealism and the mythopoetic, as well as formal elements of spacing, voice, breath, and the line.

The workshop is appropriate for high school students, amateur, emerging professional, and established poets who'd like to brush up on poetics. Bring blank paper and pens, and a sense of adventure, for some classy poetic fun! Minimum number to run the workshop: 6 participants. Maximum number: 20 participants.

Two weeks after the workshop will also be a 2-Day Manuscript Development Workshop called Poetry In Progress, for those who want feedback on their own work and to participate in a discussion about other poets' work.

Di Brandt is an internationally acclaimed, named Winnipeg's inaugural Poet Laureate in 2018 and author of Glitter and Fall, which was nominated for McNally Robinson's Book of the Year at the Manitoba Book Awards in 2019. Di teaches Creative Writing and Canadian Literature at the University of Winnipeg.