Poetry Course: new for 2024
Caroline Shaw and Katie Lloyd-Nunn are pleased to announce the creation of the Stroud Poetry Course 2024.
Here they share the genesis of the idea…
When you’re hooked on poetry, there’s nothing you can do. The shining stars of excellence dangle like carrots before you. Poetry is a pilgrimage with all its romantic trappings – dust, slog, despair and staring at geckos. There is a ‘there’ you are trying to get to – it’s a mirage. Knowing all of this, you can’t help but find yourself talking about wanting to do a poetry MA with Jacqui Stearn and Philip Rush in Rough Hands café, Stroud, September 2022 and how impossibly expensive it is and surely it might be possible to create something similar here in Stroud – a course that’s not on Zoom, that’s in the flesh, with continuity and commitment. Exciting ideas are exchanged. Fast forward to summer 2023, and with encouragement from Phillip Rush and Juliette Morton (founder of Dialect) a Stroud Poetry Course begins to take shape. Philip Rush and Kate Potts agree to teach and a suitable venue is found, but we really need another teacher. Then, there is the fortuitous connection with Katie Lloyd-Nunn on Haresfield Beacon. (Caroline)
Thread continued by Katie…
I thrive on collaboration, encouragement and structure. I like being accountable and my natural bent for language and editing keeps me curious about others’ poetry, whether famous and published or neophytes like me. I love getting things to happen especially when it’s what I want to do! Enlightened self-interest is the name of the game and I hope others are similarly motivated. It’s great to co-create with kindred spirit Caroline.
Last summer I discovered Jonathan Davidson, based in the Midlands, when I took his five-week online course “Take Your Poetry Where It Wants To Go.” I am so glad he agreed to teach a module on our course. Roll on February!! (Katie)
Beginning Saturday 3rd February, this poetry course will take place on nine weekends through to 15th June.
At a Glance
A five-month in-person course with expert tutors
For poets with some experience
Abundant prompts, techniques, editing tips and critique
Support and accountability from tutors and the group
Tranquil surroundings near Stroud town centre
What You Will Gain
Immersion into poetry – yours and others
Commitment to your writing practice
Insights into honing your craft
Confidence in taking literary risks
Encouragement to bring your work into the world
This is a unique opportunity to take your creativity to another level.
The course is convened by Caroline Shaw and Katie Lloyd-Nun…
Caroline Shaw
Caroline Shaw began her working life as a journalist before becoming a complementary health therapist. True appreciation of poetry, as an art form, came later in life but when it did, she was smitten. She feels indebted to the poetry workshops of Philip Rush and Dialect for helping to nurture her own writing skills. Her debut pamphlet Brute Swan was published by Yew Tree Press in 2019. She has contributed poems to Stroud’s Wool and Water Festival, the Sladbrook Chapbook, Amethyst Review and various anthologies. She holds regular poetry meet-ups at Stroud’s Woodruffs Café.
Katie Lloyd-Nun
Katie's poetry starts with looking, sometimes with moving.
A coastal person by nature, her internal geography is mutable, inspired by water and air. But twenty years in Stroud have educated her in the depths and delights of earth, grass, moss, woodlands, shadows and seasons. She has an MA in French & Linguistics from Edinburgh University, and her poetry has appeared in three pamphlet collections.
