Creative writing is a tool for knowing yourself, understanding the world, and connecting with other people. Led by author Seema Reza and accomplished guest writers—including poets, memoirists, novelists, and storytellers—these community workshops follow the model developed by Community Building Art Works (CBAW) over the course of a decade of bringing people together in military and hospital settings. Each workshop is designed to help participants put their personal stories on paper in a supportive environment.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, you are welcome; no experience is required. Bring a pen, a notebook, and an open mind!
Thu. April 21 | 7pm ET
Considering Our Ancestors
with Cynthia Dewi Oka
Cynthia Dewi Oka is the author of Fire Is Not A Country (Northwestern University Press), Salvage: Poems (Northwestern University Press) and Nomad of Salt and Hard Water (Thread Makes Blanket). She’s currently Poet in Residence at the Amy Clampitt House. Photo Credit: Jose Quintana.
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Thu. May 19 | 7pm ET
Meditating on Our Roots
with Raychelle Heath
Raychelle Heath is a poet, artist, teacher, yoga and meditation instructor, podcaster, and digital nomad. She currently works as curriculum director, sanctuary coach, and facilitator for the Unicorn Authors Club. She also regularly facilitates workshops for BIPOC Writing Party and The World We Want workshops.
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Thu. June 16 | 7pm ET
To Hell With the Unsayable
with Susanna Sonnenberg
Susanna Sonnenberg is the author of two memoirs, both New York Times Bestsellers, Her Last Death and She Matters: A Life in Friendships. Her personal creative nonfiction has been widely anthologized and published in many magazines and newspapers. She has lived for almost 30 years in Missoula, Montana, where she writes and teaches online classes in memoir writing.
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Thu. July 21 | 7PM ET
Poetry and Courage with Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg (she/her) is Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus and the author of over 20 books, including How Time Moves: New & Selected Poems, Needle in the Bone: How a Holocaust Survivor and Polish Resistance Fighter Beat the Odds and Found Each Other (nonfiction), and Miriam's Well (a novel). Founder of Transformative Language Arts -- community and individual transformation through the written, spoken, or sung word -- she facilitates writing workshops widely. She loves life-giving collaborations, including YourRightLivelihood.com with Kathryn Lorenzen, Bravevoice.com with Kelley Hunt, and TheArtofFacilitation.net with Joy Roulier Sawyer. She offers weekly Care Packages for a Creative Life through her Patreon page and regular posts on her blog “Everyday Magic” at CarynMirriamGoldberg.com. She also believes in your calling to create.
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Seema Reza is the author of the poetry collection A Constellation of Half-Lives and the memoir When the World Breaks Open. Reza has led writing workshops within correctional facilities, military and civilian hospitals, and schools. She is the Executive Director of Community Building Art Works, a unique arts organization that encourages the use of the arts as a tool for narration, self-care, and socialization among a military population struggling with emotional and physical injuries.