Organizers for the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest are hosting a free workshop with local poet Rachel Mehl from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Fireplace Room at Fairhaven Public Library.
Mehl’s workshop is open to all ages and abilities. It will focus on writing short, free-verse poems.
“The idea behind the free workshop is twofold; the Boynton Contest Committee loves sharing and fostering poetry in our community, and we’d like to spread the word about our upcoming contest in March,” said Ellie Rogers, co-chair of the Boynton contest, in a press release. “What better way to do those two things than host a free workshop open to all?”
The Boynton contest is a program of Whatcom Poetry Series, a local nonprofit organization. It will begin accepting submission in March.
In the past, the Boynton Committee has held workshops as fundraisers for the contest. This time, donations will be accepted but not expected.
Rachel Mehl has an MFA from the University of Oregon, where she taught poetry for two years. Her poems have been published in Alaska Quarterly Review, Portland Review, Poet Lore and Willow Springs. Her poem “Bellingham” was a 2011 Boynton Walk Award winner.
She lives in Bellingham, and is a member of the Sue Boynton Contest Committee.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to ensure space and materials for all participants.
To register, email boyntonpoetrycontest@hotmail.com with names and phone numbers (in case of last-minute changes). Attendees are asked to bring writing materials to the workshop.
