For Winter-Spring 2023, you can choose to register for the full 16 weeks of The Inkubator,

16 classes, Thursdays, 12 pm - 2 pm EST. 

January 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, Apr 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, May 25 

[SKIP DATES: Feb 16, Mar 30, Apr 6]

“Rain dates” (hold these backup dates on your calendar - to be released if not used): 

Feb. 24, 7:30-9:30 pm EST

Mar. 24, 7:30-9:30 pm EST

Or, if you prefer, you can register for Sections 1-4 as listed on this web page. Each section includes 4 classes, so you can mix and match to suit your needs. 

Be sure to check the dates carefully, as each section is unique due to skip dates.

Each shorter section includes a total of 4 classes, with one of those classes focused on a specific revision strategy as well as a publication Q & A.

WEEKLY CLASSES: 


Welcome & check-in.

Read focus poem aloud in whole group (or view audio/video clip when available).
Unpack key craft moves in small group breakout rooms using guiding questions. Brainstorm prompts that draw on key elements of the poem at hand.

Return to whole group to share discoveries and lingering questions about key craft moves. Share prompts via chat (prompts also compiled & saved in our online poetry portal for later use). 
Summary of key craft moves by Ruba.

Co-writing time using a prompt, or set an intention for own writing/revision project.

Brief debrief on writing time: insights, challenges, discoveries, questions.

Brief Q&A on aspects of writing/revision, as time permits.

ONCE EVERY FOUR WEEKS - REVISION & PUBLICATION FOCUS

Welcome & check-in.

Revision strategy: Hands-on experimentation with a specific strategy. Bring 1-2 draft poems with you!

Mini-lesson on specific aspect of submission process (for example: how to choose magazines for submission; cover letter & author bio guidelines and/or make-overs; lit mag highlights; etc.).

Targeted revision strategy (for example: lineation, tension, diction, closure, titles, etc.) for hands-on experimentation with your own draft poem.

Q&A on aspects of submitting for publication (questions submitted in advance via online form).

Open Q&A on submission/ publication, as time permits.

The Inkubator is not a poetry workshop, and we will not workshop individual poems. Instead, we’ll turn our focus to the work of published poets and unpack the key craft moves at play. We’ll use those curated poems to collaboratively develop poetry prompts inspired by the piece. And then we’ll write together.

Throughout this process, we’ll regard every poem as a teacher, and develop the skills needed to distill and apply key craft moves when we write and revise poems. In The Inkubator, we will develop a targeted, recurring poetry practice that helps us grow in writing, revising, and submitting poems (rather than emphasizing one-time comments I could provide on a single poem—such comments have value and impact, but they don’t comprise a writing practice).

At the program start, I’ll request a sample of your poems to better understand what you are writing right now and possible areas of growth. From time to time, we may have a speed-round of Fishbowl Feedback in which I provide brief verbal comments on a selection of these poems. All feedback provided in class is meant to be noted and extrapolated for use by all participants.

I know what it feels like to lurk in the back of the classroom, passionate about poetry yet terrified to speak up. I’ve been there. In the Inkubator, I’ll provide key craft questions to help you begin to unpack any poem. In our discussion, we’ll begin with our observations and then discuss aspects of the poem that seem particularly significant. We’ll discuss fancy terms that poets use for key craft strategies. You’ll have an opportunity to hear others share their observations about the poems as well. I’ll always recap key strategies before we move to the writing prompt. Over the course of our time together, you’ll gain confidence in articulating your thoughts about poetry.

Weekly homework will be minimal. However, you’ll have specific, time-sensitive tasks to prepare for our first class in January. At the program start, I’ll ask you to submit introductory materials (for example, an informal bio; 5 pages of your recent poetry; 2-3 poems that you love to add to our candidates for class conversation, etc.). I’ll also provide a handful of required readings.

On a weekly basis, our work will happen collaboratively on Thursday afternoons for 2 hours, in-person on Zoom, within minimal preparation before or after class. For our monthly publication Q&A, I will request your questions about submissions and publications via Google form, then compile those for discussion.

Life can be unpredictable: work changes, illness, family emergencies. I get it. I’ll record every class for anyone who can’t attend unexpectedly. You’ll find the link to the video recording in our password-protected poetry portal. The link will expire 1 week after class. 



The goal of The Inkubator is to show up in person, however, so you participate actively in our craft discussions, prompt brainstorming, co-writing, and Q&A sessions. I provide the temporary class recordings as a courtesy; please don’t use them as a substitute for showing up in person on a weekly basis.

I am committed to showing up for The Inkubator on Thursdays and I’m no stranger to teaching through the flu, etc. However, just in case I can’t make it to class, I’m asking participants to reserve the following “rain dates” that we’ll use for make-up classes if necessary.

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30-9:30 pm EST

Friday, Mar. 24, 7:30-9:30 pm EST

If we don’t need make-up classes, I’ll release these dates.

Cohort size varies based on registration. I reserve 1-2 additional slots for scholarship participants and/or interns.
 Our classes will involve a mix of large and small group conversations.

Please submit your lingering questions about The Inkubator here:

https://forms.gle/jw7tzdqs8yipdhxv8