Upcoming workshops offer opportunities for local writers
PETOSKEY — Area writers seeking some guidance and feedback have two chances this month to work with award-winning poet David Hornibrook.
The first opportunity will be at a free writer’s workshop April 23-24 at the Carnegie Building, 451 E. Mitchell St. in Petoskey. The workshop is being hosted by North Country Community Mental Health (NCCMH) in partnership with the Petoskey District Library.
The “Write It!” workshop is in honor of “May is Mental Health Month” to provide an avenue for personal expression and showcase the voices of people living with mental illness. Participants will take a close look at examples of writing in diverse genres, and generate their own micro-essays, short stories and poems from exercises designed to use a variety of personal experience as a springboard to diverse kinds of literary creative expression.
According to an NCCMH press release, priority will be given to anyone 18 or older with a history of mental illness living in the organization’s six-county service area. At the author’s discretion, finished pieces will be displayed at the Petoskey District Library in May and could also be included in a chapbook.
“Our partnership with North Country Community Mental Health aims to illuminate the diverse voices within our community, providing a platform for personal stories and fostering understanding and connection,” said Public Services Librarian Jodi Haven.
The class will be facilitated by Hornibrook, author of “Night Manual” and winner of the Moveen Prize in Poetry. His work has also been recipient of a Pushcart Prize and he is the community services coordinator at NCCMH.
“Everyone is creative, but not everyone has had the opportunity to develop and utilize their creative abilities and many are not even aware of their own creativity,” Hornibrook said in a statement. “This workshop is designed to be fun but also to explore the inherent power of language and every human voice. I look forward to the discussion and sharing of ideas and am thankful for the partnership with the library for graciously offering not only a space for us to gather, but also to display our finished pieces and center the voices of people living with mental illness.”
Space is limited for this workshop. To register, call (231) 439-1241 or visit norcocmh.org by April 19.
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Hornibrook will also be working with local poets at the “Coffee and Craft” workshop on April 27.
This workshop is presented by Poetess and Stranger in honor of National Poetry Month. The workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $30 and registration is required.
The workshop will include a morning of coffee and discussion about poetics, craft and curiosity. According to a press release from Poetess and Stranger, all are welcome, whether you are an experienced writer, new to the craft or just curious. Coffee will be provided.
Poetess and Stranger also hosts the Alive Poets Society, which meets every Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at the store, 445 E. Mitchell St., Unit A, in Petoskey. The group is for ages 17 and older.
The store also hosts a Poetry Open Mic from 7-9 p.m. every third Monday of the month.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Upcoming workshops offer opportunities for local writers
