Poetry Classes
In the poetry classes I offer, we come together in an online "studio" to explore the craft of writing. We enter with open hearts and minds.
The studios are based on a generative model of wonder and curiosity, rather than the old "workshop" model of critique for critique's sake.
Everyone, at any skill level, is welcome!
01
Grief Needs a Body:
A four-week online writing studio
Date: Sundays, Dec. 3- 31, 2026
10 am-Noon PST
Full Price: 450.00
Reduced Price: 350.00
Grief needs a body to exist. We carry it with us everywhere we go, and like its cousin, Gravity, we feel it even when we are not aware of it. Grief is not something to get over. Instead, it is something to honor, to make room for, and build a kind of partnership with.
Over six weeks, we will be exploring how we carry grief, where it shows up, and how it affects us creatively. How do we talk about the hard things? How do we get close to expressing a feeling that tends to destroy and diminish language? Through conversation, writing prompts with grief in mind, and examples from amazing writers, we will create work born of, and in response to, our own grieving.
20 Seats Available
02
Start with Something: A five-week online poetry studio.
Date: Sundays, Jan. 6-31, 2026
10 am-Noon PST
Full Price: 450.00
Reduced Price: 350.00
Great writing doesn’t always come when the Muse descends over our blank pages or when Duende rises during a late night. Some of my favorite poems come from a single simple idea, or curiosity about the physical world. They can be love poems, elegies, or pieces on the natural world, but they all start with something small.
Over six weeks, we will read poems by Frank O’Hara, Dorianne Laux, Steven Duong, Morgan Parker, Callie Siskell, and Kevin Young, explore useful “Start with Something” prompts, and write and share our own poems in and out of class.
20 Seats Available
More Poetry Offerings From Matthew
Speaking + Readings
I love sharing my work and learning from others' work. My talks and readings are more conversational than lecture-like and centered on human connection.
Poetry Manuscript Consultation
I believe no book is written alone. Drawing from 15 years of working with poets as an editor and consultant, I offer thoughtful, collaborative manuscript consultations designed to help writers see their work more clearly and shape the book they’re trying to make.
Poetry Workbooks
These digital workbooks come directly from my own life as a writer. Each one is full of useful, fun prompts I use every day. I'm excited to share them with you.