Ronald Koertge (Photo – southpasadenaca.gov)
The South Pasadena Public Library invites adults to join a series of poetry writing workshops led by award-winning author and South Pasadena Poet Laureate Ron Koertge.
By News Desk
The workshop series will take place on January 24, April 24, August 14, and October 16, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street.
Registration is required; visit southpasadenaca.gov/register to make a reservation.
This poetry writing workshop series encourages participants (whether they are new to poetry or have a long-standing passion for it) to explore their creative side, as Koertge focuses on different facets about the art of poetry: meter, rhyme, form, narrator, metaphor. Ron notes, “Knowing a little about the nuts and bolts of poetry will launch us into writing. We meet as writers in a workshop, so most of the time is devoted to writing. I have lots of interesting prompts and some peculiar forms that are fun to work with.”
The Poet Laureate of the City of South Pasadena is an honorary position given to a South Pasadena resident poet who serves as the city’s official ambassador for the literary arts. The position was established on July 6, 2018 by the City Council. The Poet Laureate seeks to raise awareness of poetry and literature in the community and to help inspire residents of all ages to appreciate the joy and power to be found in reading and writing. South Pasadena Poet Laureate Ronald Koertge is a three-time finalist and two- time winner of the PEN Literary Award for Children’s Literature. He is the author of 10 acclaimed poetry collections, including Yellow Moving Van and Olympusville, and 12 novels. His honors include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a California Arts Council grant, and inclusion in numerous anthologies such as Best American Poetry, Poetry 180, and Ted Kooser’s “American Life in Poetry” column. His prose poem “Negative Space” was the basis of the 2018 Academy Award-nominated animated short film directed by Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter. Koertge has also shared his wisdom with students over many decades as a distinguished college writing instructor.
Poetry Writing Workshop January 24, April 24, August 14, & October 16 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Location South Pasadena Public Library-Community Room 1115 El Centro Street
As part of the Sowing South Pasadena programming line-up, this workshop series is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Leave a Reply