A 1-Day Nature Writing Workshop
Sunday, June 7, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Join MWPA, Trust for Public Land, & Mechanics' Hall for a writing workshop led by Ryan Brod at Portland’s famous Eastern Promenade.
Once a hub of Indigenous lives, later a pasture for grazing cattle, present-day Eastern Prom is a sacred greenspace for gathering, sunbathing, picnicking, reading, walking our dogs. It’s the site of concerts and 4th of July fireworks. It’s where we go to gain perspective: Casco Bay and its islands, and the Atlantic beyond. And yet, the Prom’s draw is nothing new: there are few things in our history more ancient than returning to the place where land meets water.
But why?
In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore the implications of return, the richness of ecotones and the “edge-effect” where two boundaries meet. We’ll read and discuss related excerpts from North Woods, and from relevant poems and essays. Following our discussion, we’ll complete a generative writing exercise that explores themes of return, the complexity of boundaries/edges, and how such zones hold stories. We’ll consider how, as writers, we might discover necessary story elements hidden along these same edges.
Any writers, thinkers, or nature enthusiasts are welcome at this workshop. No prior experience with environmental writing necessary. Approximately 90 minutes.
Free to the public.
Maine-native Ryan Brod is the author of Tributaries: Essays from Woods and Waters, which was the best-selling memoir of 2024 at Back Cove Books, in Portland. His writing appears in River Teeth, The Maine Review, Tahoma Literary Review, Gray’s Sporting Journal, along with many other publications, and he is the Room with a View columnist for Down East Magazine. He teaches writing at University of New England and is a fly-fishing guide and freelance editor.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-200-7180 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due two weeks prior to the workshop start date, at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION
MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION