The main activity at TPS meetings is to workshop our poems. The format is simple, developed to promote the exchange of comments and suggestions in a friendly and respectful atmosphere. Everyone is most welcome to join us at any of the workshop meetings. You do not have to bring a poem on your first visit.
Workshop Format: The poet brings 24 copies which are passed out to those present, and reads the poem while the rest of us follow along on the printed copy. Then the group discusses the poem, providing feedback on what seems to work or not work well for the reader, and making suggestions. The poet listens, but makes no comment. It is by listening to all the opinions that a sense of what enhances the poem becomes clear. There is often disagreement. After the group has finished discussing the poem, the poet has the chance to comment, if he or she wishes to do so. Please note that longer poems (more than a page) should be shared in smaller pieces, due to time restraints. Further, longer poems need more time to be studied and critiqued in a useful way.
If you are writing in a lonely vacuum, find or form a group with other poets. It will enhance your work and theirs too. If you live close to Hamilton, come and join us!
2022-2023 Workshop Schedule
TPS workshops are open to the public. We meet one Saturday a month from 2:00–4:00 p.m. Our meeting venue is the Westdale Public Library, 955 King St. W., Hamilton (unless otherwise noted). Bring 24 copies of your poem, or just come and sit in until you feel comfortable with the process.
(Should workshops be held via Microsoft Teams or Zoom, please observe the following procedures: Send an email to info@towerpoetry.ca and put in the Subject Line, “Request to Participate”. Your email address will be noted, and the link will be sent to you on the morning of the workshop. If you would like to submit one poem for critique during the workshop, please include it as an attachment to your email, in pdf format. Your “Request to Participate” must be received by the Thursday prior to the workshop date.)
NOTE: Should meeting details change, this website will be updated and members will be notified.
Saturday, May 14 – Annual Meeting, Virtual
Saturday, August 13 – Hybrid (in-person/online) Workshop
Saturday, October 15 – return to In-person Westdale Library 2 – 4 pm (hybrid)
Sunday, November 6 – Artwalk Tour & Readings 1-2 pm & 2-4 pm (details here)
Saturday, November 12
Saturday, January 14
Saturday, February 11
Saturday, March 11
Saturday, April 8
Saturday, May 13 AGM (with possible workshop, depending on time)
Note: There was no Poetry Study in 2021 or 2022.
Tower Poetry Society goes Hybrid! (by Nicola Schneider)
On Saturday, August 13, 2022, the first in-person/online poetry workshop was held. A huge “thank you” goes out to Judy Marsales who graciously provided the boardroom in her office for the in-person gathering of physical bodies. Maybe the experience of getting out in the world again after COVID is poetry fodder?! Hmmm, there’s a poetry prompt for you!
While I was unable to attend, our President, Jennifer Dunlop reports, “Overall, I would say it went well. There were some technical difficulties though.” Well, of course there was because technology. Now we know how to do it better next time. Thank you to Jennifer for running the workshop, and to Rhoda, Halyna, Judy, Fran, and Susanne for attending in the flesh. Lisa was the only online attendee due to connection issues. For that, we apologize to Carolyn and Kathy. In future, there should be a person present who can troubleshoot (likely moi). “People both in person and online say they appreciated it,” Jennifer adds.
Stay tuned for information regarding the upcoming workshops.