Spring 2024 Workshop & Awards

All events will take place at the beach house we've reserved in Gulf Shores!

Poets can lodge at the beach house for a “writing retreat” atmosphere! 

Accommodations are on a first-come, first-served basis. We have 3 private rooms (sleeps 2 each) and 2 shared rooms, one with 2 queen beds and one with 4 queens. Check out the beach house by clicking HERE. The house is on Fort Morgan Road. Address will be included in registration confirmation email.

SCHEDULE

Friday, May 10:

6ish - ??? Check in and hang out for heavy hors d'oeuvres, socializing, and round-robin reading at the beach house.

Saturday, May 11:

9-9:20 AM: Arrival and meet and greet, continental breakfast, coffee

9:30-10:30 AM:  Workshop 1

Ericka Streeter Hodge

Bio: Ericka Streeter Hodge, a native of Mobile, Alabama, is a poet and the author of Soul Fire: Prose of Passion and Peace. Her first open mic performance was at Bossa in the Georgetown area of DC in the early 2000s. In 2019, she became a part of the Pensacola Poetry family. As the host of Pensacola Poetry’s open mic, she fosters a welcoming home for soul expression. Ericka enjoys speaking engagements and now hosts small group journaling workshops.

Workshop description

JOURNALING AS A CATALYST FOR POETRY

Journaling leaves room for creativity while encouraging a quick dive into the spirit of the writer. Once writers have accessed their ideas in journal form, we will discuss how to evolve and edit the entry into a strong poem.

10:45-11:45 AM: Workshop 2

Susan Lewis

Bio: Susan Lewis has been in the writing and publishing industry for over 30 years. She is a best-selling author with many books. Her first book, Goodbye, Mama, reached #1 on Amazon and was listed as a resource on the American Cancer Survivors Network. Her 10th book, Bury Your Dead, received the first Heritage Arts Award for Literary Excellence and was used by The History Channel as a resource. Lewis created her publishing company, Proper Publishing, over 8 years ago. Her company has had several best-selling authors and Pushcart nominees. She teaches memoir writing through Continuing Education at the University of West Florida. Helping others fall in love with words is truly her passion.

Workshop description

DIALECT, TONE, AND VOICE

Dialect shows the demography of an individual through accents or word usage.

(Southern, Northern, East Coast, West Coast, Brit, Aussie, etc.)

Tone works through not just word usage but also the length and placement of words to denote emotional intent. Tone helps your readers with direction regarding the importance of a moment, place, or person and your feelings regarding such.

Voice is how your way of speaking translates to the written word.

How do dialect, tone, and voice impact your poetry? Can you utilize them to add power to a moment? Can you damage the intent of a piece with misplaced dialect? Let’s dive deep, learn about these three powerhouse topics, and help your writing muscles grow stronger.

12 PM: Lunch & Member Meeting

1 PM : Beach walk with poetry prompts (or write/rest on your own)

2 - ?? PM: Presentation of Spring Contest Awards and special annual awards.