October 12th, 2011 / 11:50 am
Technology

Barrelhouse Online Workshops

Can writing be taught? Can writing be taught online? Is the Internet a valid place to workshop poetry?

After hours and hours of editorial GChats with Melissa Broder, I’ve come to think that it’s not just possible, but that the Internet is a great place for this kind of work. There is something about the detachment of not being present, combined with the fluidity of the format. It makes people more concise, more practical, and more willing to hear differing perspectives.

So I’m really interested to hear how Barrelhouse’s online workshops go. Our own beloved Mike Young is facilitating one now. Don’t nobody know no poetry like Mike, neither — so if you want more than THIS AMAZING LIST of “moves in contemporary poetry”, you should consider giving his online class a look. The 8-week sessions starts on October 24.

Has anyone done an online class before and was it good?

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2 Comments

  1. Anna Clark

      Barrelhouse does great work …. and I’ll just gently point out that Dzanc Books has an excellent line-up of 8- and 10-week online workshops and mentorships that start next week. http://www.dzancbooks.org/dzancsessions/  It’s a new series, the instructors are incredible, and registration is still open …

  2. postitbreakup

      I told Mike on twitter that as soon as he does a fiction one, I’m in.  

      (I did not add that online is the only way I could take a Mike Young class, since in person I’d just be gazing at him the whole time and scribbling his name in cursive in my spiral)