2024 Spring and Summer Workshops with Bending Tree
Teen Book Club Poetica Coffee, Last Sunday of every month (unless otherwise noted – check in the workshops page), 4-5pm, 251 Smith St. Brooklyn, NY, Free. Join Irene and Sebastian Sarti each month to discuss a new book of experimental fiction. These book clubs are for passionate and inquisitive readers who are interested in reading exciting books that expand the bounds of fiction. We hope this space can be an inspiring and critical group where students can feel encouraged to share their opinions and observations with their peers.
Pitching Workshop For freelance and writers who are looking to be freelance, every Sunday 5-6:30pm Drop in sessions will start and January 14 and continue through March 31. $20 suggested donation drop in fee to discuss your pitch, write it up, and find places for it! Register here
Myths, Fairy Tales, and Folklore: Why Enchantment Matters Virtual Sunday,May 19 10am-11:30am; for students ages 12-14 registration $45 Many writers have looked to retell magical stories, from Oscar Wilde, to Amos Tutuola, George MacDonald, and Angela Carter. We will read lore from ancient, through contemporary genres, to consider how these stories use magic, personification, and exaggeration to tell truths. Register here
Graphing the story: Work in Formulas to Create Narrative Virtual Sunday, July 6-7 10am-11:30am All genres are welcome. For students ages 15-18 registration $45 The Soviet folklorist, Vladimir Propp is not very well known in the fairytale writing world. But he was very influential to many writers and folklorists for generations to come. He collected hundreds of traditional Russian stories, coded their characters, and action and created comprehensive formulas to describe stories. In this workshop, students will become familiar with the seven characters, and several of the events that occur throughout history in narrative. Through this practice students will begin the learn some formulas for story, and, in the end, make their own. Register here
Storyteller’s Intensive: The Art of Storytelling For students ages 10-18 All storytellers begin in mimicry before they expand their practice and refine their unique voice. During this intensive we will read a book together and work with relevant prompts about subject, style, and tone to emanate the greats. Whether the student is looking to find or refine their voice, this is a fun, immersive course, tailored to the student’s interests. The student will leave with a solid base for a potential, story, or manuscript using the technique we develop together. Register here
$400 per in-person student for one to two meetings per month, or however long it takes to complete the book.
Writing with Leaves Virtual; June 29-30 for students ages 10-13; 10am-11:30am $45 registration World building. We see this term in science fiction and fantasy. This workshop is for students who are ready to begin formulating their own stories. We will be considering several excerpts from Philip Pullman, Nalo Hopkinson, and Brian Selznick. Through a discussion around how the writers use environment and land, we will consider the leaf. Leaves have adapted to their environments over generations of a tree or a plant. The tweens in this workshop will formulate their stories beginning with the leaves of their imaginary world. Through the line of inquiry about leaf adaptation in their world, they will look at the leaves in our own world. And in their formulation of their worlds, they will practice writing clear and concise sentences that delve into the natural environment that makes up the world of their imagination. Register Here
Bending Tree Education 