Kim Addonizio

writer musicmaker maquisard

Kim Addonizio is the author of six poetry collections, two novels, two story collections, and two books on writing poetry, The Poet’s Companion (with Dorianne Laux) and Ordinary Genius. She has received fellowships from the NEA and Guggenheim Foundation, two Pushcart Prizes, and was a National Book Award Finalist for her collection Tell Me. Her latest books are Mortal Trash: Poems (W.W. Norton) and a memoir-in-essays, Bukowski in a Sundress (Penguin). She recently collaborated on a chapbook, The Night Could Go in Either Direction (Slapering Hol Press) with poet Brittany Perham. Addonizio also has two word/music CDs:  Swearing, Smoking, Drinking, & Kissing (with Susan Browne) and My Black Angel, a companion to My Black Angel: Blues Poems & Portraits, featuring woodcuts by Charles D. Jones. She teaches and performs internationally

 
“There is no royal path to good writing; and such paths as do exist do not lead through neat critical gardens, various as they are, but through the jungles of self, the world, and of craft.”
— Jessamyn West
 


ONLINE poetry woRKSHOP
the art of the short poem
april 1—may 27, 2019
scroll down for info


Saturday MORNING woRKSHOP in oakland
april 6—may 11
scroll down for info

 

OOak

My workshops are generally not for beginners, though you needn't have published. You do need to apply for a spot; you won't be automatically accepted. You should have an understanding of the craft of poetry and be comfortable presenting your work as a piece of writing, not therapy, since I am not trained as a therapist. My aim is to meet you wherever you are and help you take the next step toward writing accomplished poems, and to help you become a part of a community of writers.

ONLINE

• 7-12 poets
• weekly critique & writing ideas
• blogs page

THE ART OF THE SHORT POEM

Why write short poems? They're fun.They're challenging. They help you to be concise and get to the heart of what you want to say.They enable a more detailed critique of their language. We're going to look at and discuss the structure and language of short pieces, from haiku and American Sentences to triolets to sonnety things, as well as write to assignments (they will be focussed, but broad enough to accommodate any subject that's on your mind).

Do the workshop anytime, from anywhere, on your own schedule. Each week, you post a poem for review on the forums. You will have two "buddies" to critique during the week, and you'll also receive my feedback. If you respond to more poets, you will generally get more responses on your own work. The blogs page is the bar/cafe, where you can write about your day, who you're reading, what you're excited by or struggling with in your literary life.

SPRING 2019 April 1—May 27 $600.

IN PERSON

• 6-8 poets
• weekly critique & writing ideas
• food, drink & the music of what happens

Your poems get serious, supportive consideration each week. We'll talk about strengths, weaknesses, clarity, emotion, imagery, syntax, surprise, structure, revision, and whatever else comes up. You can generate new work each week based on the prompt, or simply bring in poems you want critiqued.

Saturdays 9:30-noon April 6—May 11: $390.

To apply for Poetry Workshops:

Email me with "workshops" in the subject heading. If I don't know your work, send ONE poem (Sorry, I can't read more) and a short paragraph about yourself. Or ask to be put on my mailing list & I'll let you know about upcoming groups.

Books for Poets:

ORDINARY GENIUS: A GUIDE FOR THE POET WITHIN, Kim Addonizio  (W.W. Norton)

THE POET'S COMPANION: A GUIDE TO THE PLEASURES OF WRITING POETRY, Kim Addonizio & Dorianne Laux (W.W. Norton)

IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND: THE POET'S PORTABLE WORKSHOP, Steve Kowit (Tilbury House)

BEST WORDS, BEST ORDER, Stephen Dobyns (St. Martin's)

STRUCTURE AND SURPRISE :ENGAGING POETIC TURNS, ed. Michael Theune (Teachers & Writers)

POETIC METER & POETIC FORM, Paul Fussell (McGraw Hill)

TEXT BOOK: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY LANGUAGE, Robert Scholes, Nancy Comley, Greg Ulmer er (St. Martin's)

“Really phenomenal. I thought there was no way that the in-person workshops could be improved on. The online workshop is outstanding in its own right.”
— Ellen P
“Kim Addonizio’s workshop is the best communal writing experience I’ve encountered. Her constructive critiques are artful prose poems replete with generous advice and brilliant suggestions. I’m so happy with the help I’ve received from her and the wonderful poets I’ve met that I’ll soon be enrolling in my fourth workshop.”
— David S.
“I’ve taken Kim’s class...eight times! Each session has expanded both my poetic tools and my creative community. Her class has become a cornerstone and touchstone for my writing life.”
— Lin I.
“Kim inspires and encourages, while offering keen perception and a wealth of knowledge about the craft of poetry. Like a soulful dominatrix, she whips your poem into shape. She’s also the Queen of Duende. Take her workshop. It’s terrific.”
— Susan B.
“I’m a better poet than I thought I could be, thanks to Kim’s prompts, laser-like questions, and a near-supernatural ability to elicit just where a poem has gone wrong. These workshops are not to be missed. ”
— Aaron F.