passion – Broadleaf Writers Association

We’re nearly five years into Broadleaf’s existence, and as our organization continues to grow, new opportunities to assist and support writers grow with it. Among my primary desires in creating Broadleaf was to extend that effort to young writers, to offer programs and initiatives that open doors for them–both as writers and as future professionals. It’s a level of support and opportunity I wish I had as a young writer. This year, I hope to begin the process of creating and expanding those opportunities. And to do so, I am asking for your help.

Broadleaf Writers is pleased to introduce a new initiative, with the aim of granting students of writing programs a cost-free experience at our upcoming annual conference. This initiative would give students from Georgia State, Oglethorpe University, and Kennesaw State University the tremendous opportunity to connect with industry professionals, enrich their education, and become active members of Atlanta’s writing community. The benefits of their attendance can carry them well beyond a quest for publication. Gaining a firm grasp of writing, of storytelling, and forming fruitful connections, can enrich their professional lives as they advance into the world beyond college.

To fund approximately 25-30 students, we are launching a fundraiser to raise $5,000 to cover fees for both days of our conference, an annual membership into the organization, lunch, and full access to the conference and organizational tools.

Every dollar helps us grant these students this great opprtunity, as well as create hope and momentum to expand this program in the future. For $200 you can sponsor a student’s conference experience, though every donation–no matter how small–moves us closer to our goal. Please follow this link to our donate page. All donations are tax-deductible.

I thank you in advance for your interest, for your support, and for helping me in my efforts to expand opportunities and education for students.

Zachary Steele
Founder & Executiver Director
Broadleaf Writers Association
broadleafwriters@gmail.com

In celebration of National Poetry Month, The Arts Exchange and Broadleaf Writers Association are pleased to present a one-day Poetry Workshop, to be held Saturday, April 6th from 10-4 at the Arts Exchange! With three workshops and a Q&A panel to address your questions, poets Theresa Davis, Andrea Jurjević and Collin Kelley will guide you through various styles and techniques! Be ready to write, ready to take notes, and ready to review poems you’ve brought with you! This program is free and open to the public, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn the art of poetry from three talented and prolific poets.

Workshops will include:
Giving Voice, led by Collin Kelley: This generative workshop will explore persona and ekphrastic poems. You’ll be giving voice to a narrator other than yourself, or perhaps a different version of yourself, and providing context or backstory to a work of art. Bring your pen and notebook and write poems to be shared with the group.

Andrea Jurjević will lead a workshop that explores passion and authenticity in poetry. Bring two of your strongest poems of 40 lines or less, paper, pen, and a sense of humor.

Random Facts and Musing, led by Theresa Davis, will incorporate random facts about the writer, random facts about a favorite subject or topic, and a the answers to a few questions. Mix it all together and a poem will be born. This is experimental poetry. Be brave.

We’ll conclude the day with a panel discussion, answering questions you may have about the craft, or the process of putting your work into a collection for publication!

Find the poems you’d like to share, bring a pen and paper or a latop to write, and join us for day devoted to poetry!

Tag: passion

From Zach’s Corner: An Opportunity to Help

Join us for a Poetry Workshop at The Arts Exchange!