The Concept Book: Manuscript Support in Four Parts

Join The American Poetry Museum for this series of workshops focusing on building your manuscript. This experience invites both writers at the beginning of their process and writers who have written sections of their manuscript and are looking for feedback. The Concept Book is the idea that manuscript is formed around one or two major themes that house a series of poems and expressions. Final works will be presented at a culminating event. There will be four parts: Theme, Introduction, Arc, and Resolution. 

The Theme 

This workshop will help us determine what we want our manuscript to focus on. The first part of the class will be generative for those deciding what to write about. In the second half of the class, participants are invited to bring three poems that they have already written prior to this workshop to receive support in deciding which theme might be more resonant for a Concept Book. Participants who are bringing already-written work may arrive after the first 30 minutes, skipping the generative portion.

The Introduction 

This workshop focuses on examples of how various authors have chosen to invite their reading into their poetry manuscript. For example, participants may notice some authors begin their work with a brief poem speaking broadly to the book’s overall theme while other authors may open their books with an extensive poem, to both immerse the reader and exercise the reader's commitment to continue reading. There are infinite ways to draw your reader in. 

The Arc

This workshop is about identifying the patterns in your manuscript as well as the rise and falls across the themes. This is not about asserting a particular narrative nor a definitive storyline. Instead this is about discussing what we are communicating to the reader and what do we want to say now, why this approach, why by this author? We will discuss the first part of arranging a manuscript. 

The Resolution

This workshop focuses on examples of how various authors have chosen to close their poetry manuscript. For example, participants may notice some authors close their manuscripts with a sense of questioning while other authors may have a definitive ending that invites the reader to re-read the inner threads and minor themes throughout the book.. There are infinite ways to end a manuscript. 

This experience invites both writers at the beginning of their process and writers who have written sections of their manuscript and are looking for feedback. The Concept Book is the idea that manuscript is formed around one or two major themes that house a series of poems and expressions. Final works will be presented at a culminating event. 

HOW TO RSVP for The Concept Book — RSVP-ing helps us determine the number of people to expect. Walk-in’s welcomed. Here’s how:

• Please click “Register” below; it will take you to the Venmo of @poetrywithmariafernanda. 

• In the What’s this for? entry window, please type in

  • (1) “Intro”

  • (2) your preferred email address

  • (3) $10. You will receive an official Welcome Note closer to the date with the event details! 

Reminder: You will receive an official Welcome Note closer to the date with the event details once registered.

Why Venmo?

The registration is on Venmo due to the ratio between the ticketing platform fees (i.e., Eventbrite, Square App, Squarespace, and more) and the limited capacity of the venue. The Venmo platform has continued to be used successfully by participants of María Fernanda's ongoing poetry series Let's Write Poetry Saturdays from January 2024 to present. If experience any concerns, please contact our team here to support you.