It’s Personal – constructing the self 

In this cross-genre workshop, we’ll discuss the construction of the self in both the lyric poem and the personal essay. We will think through the relationship between the ‘I’ and emotional authenticity, vulnerability, and truth, and ask how or why the constructed and crafted self differs between these forms. We’ll touch on the works of prominent twentieth century and contemporary poets and essayists – including Zadie Smith, James Baldwin, Fanny Howe, Frank O’Hara and Emily Berry – and explore prompts and exercises to generate our own personal pieces. 

Photo credits: Naomi Wood

Ralf Webb is the author of the poetry collections Rotten Days in Late Summer and Highway Cottage, the nonfiction book Strange Relations, and the forthcoming novel Two Lovers. His poems, critical writing and essays have appeared in the Guardian, Granta, Tolka Journal, and the London Review of Books. 

We’re able to offer 2 bursary tickets to this workshop for those facing financial difficulty. Please email info@poetrysociety.org.uk to request one of the places. No proof of financial difficulty is required.

This workshop takes place online on Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to you 24 hours in advance of the workshop. Suitable for all levels of writer. 18+ only.