The Library’s free writing classes connect writers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Each week during the school year, classes are taught by Master of Fine Arts candidates in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s creative writing and media arts program.
This year, UMKC awarded first-year screenwriting student Vicente Martinez the Writers for Readers internship to teach at the Library. The internship comes with a stipend from funds raised during the annual fall Writers for Readers banquet, which takes place this year on Friday, November 20.
Martinez’s lineup of courses includes Monsters as Metaphor, Nontraditional Poetry: So Much More Than Rhymes, Creative Nonfiction: Write a Richer Personal Story, and others. “Teaching these classes,” he says, “is an opportunity to discuss topics I’m deeply passionate about with a community of writers I might not otherwise encounter.”
He also sees his participation as a way to help people build valuable communication skills and improve his own writing.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer; we can all learn from each other,” Martinez says.
First-year poetry student Rachelle Gardner-Roe will teach three classes in the fall. She received the Maya Angelou Book Award fellowship through the Writers for Readers program and will assist Director of Readers’ Services Kaite Stover in the administration of the award.
“My goal in teaching is to offer a playful space suited to a wide array of interests,” Gardner-Roe says, “and I am excited to go on this journey with students as we explore and discover together.”
RSVP to attend a free class. Watch the Library’s website for an announcement about this year’s guest author at the Writers for Readers fundraiser.
Wednesday, 8/26 Creative Nonfiction: Write a Richer Personal Story
Saturday, 8/29 Write Like Mary Oliver
Monday, 8/31 Nontraditional Poetry: So Much More Than Rhymes
Saturday, 9/12 Monsters as Metaphor
Wednesday, 9/19 Journaling Journey
Saturday, 9/19 Writing for the Senses
Monday, 9/21 Writing Flash Fiction
Saturday, 9/26 Flash Nonfiction: Writing About Your Life
Wednesday, 9/30 The Structure of a Story
Monday, 10/5 (World)building Blocks
Monday, 10/12 Creative Nonfiction: Write a Richer Personal Story
Wednesday, 10/21 Nontraditional Poetry: So Much More Than Rhymes
Monday, 10/26 Monsters as Metaphor
Saturday, 10/31 Spooky Short Stories
Saturday, 11/7 Journaling Journey
Saturday, 11/14 Writing Flash Fiction
Wednesday, 11/16 The Structure of a Story
Tuesday, 11/17 Ekphrasis Writing for Poetry & Beyond
Saturday, 11/21 (World)building Blocks
Saturday, 11/28 Spoken Word Poetry
Wednesday, 12/2 Nontraditional Poetry: So Much More Than Rhymes
Monday, 12/7 (World)building Blocks
Saturday, 12/19 Free Write
