critique

Fellow Writers! We had a terrific time at my last two WOW webinars, “Writing Is for the Birds” and “Shaping Creative Nonfiction,” and I sincerely hope you’ll consider joining me for the next workshop: POETRY EXPRESS II: FIVE POEMS IN TWO HOURS! Yes, we will again write 5 poems in 2 hours, and this time we’ll read brand new inspirational poems and work from entirely new prompts, some of my most favorite ever!

Check out the kind words from a selection of Poetry Express I students:

“Ashley, I so enjoy your workshops, and this one was great! Thanks for giving me good ideas, tools, and a helpful nudge.” – Lucinda Trew

“Terrific job, Ashley! I’ve got so much ‘clay’ on my potter’s wheel now to shape and make into poems.” – Ruth Moose

“Thank you SO MUCH for a wonderful poetry workshop. I’d been in a funk with my writing for various reasons and I needed to snap out of it. When I saw the dare of your workshop – 5 poems in 2 hours – I did not believe I could do it, but I wanted to try anyway. I hoped it would shock me out of my funk and onto the page. It did. Thank you. I’m so grateful for your enthusiastic response to my poem. And count me in for Poetry Express II! Can’t wait. – “Wendy Kagan

“Aloha Ashley! I thoroughly enjoyed the Poetry Express. It was my first experience with a WOW class, and I loved it. Loved the prompts and the inspirational pieces you shared. The submission suggestions and bit of education were helpful as well! I’ve been writing for a long time but am new to the submission process so that was especially appreciated. I also appreciated your kind feedback on my poems, and I can’t wait to polish these off and submit them very soon!” – Sonya Yamaguchi

“The Poetry Express was informative, and your manner of presentation put me at ease. Generating new poems brought creative pleasure! In the coming days, I plan to improve those poems and read more of the poems you cited. I’d say your workshop was beneficial! I learned, I will practice, and I will read and hopefully submit.” – Denise Scott

“I enjoyed and learned a lot during the [Poetry Express] webinar! I hope there will be others on poetry. I found Ashley’s feedback useful, constructive, and insightful. Figuring out where to submit can be so hard when you’re starting out! Having the suggestions from Ashley gives me more confidence that I am submitting to places that are more likely to publish my work.” – Angela Shaw-Thornburg

POETRY EXPRESS II: FIVE POEMS IN TWO HOURS with Ashley Harris

WEBINAR DATE: Thursday, April 23, 2026

WEBINAR TIME: 2pm – 4pm ET

DURATION: 2 Hours

LOCATION: Live webinar via Zoom

FEEDBACK: The last 15 minutes of the lecture will be open to Q&A.

SPECIAL OPTION: Receive a personal critique from the instructor of 2 poems (one-page limit each) within two weeks of the class for an extra fee. This includes an analysis of voice, format, reader engagement, and at least one submission recommendation per poem will be provided.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Do you long to write poetry but have always been intimidated? Or maybe you’re a previous Poetry Express passenger who wants to take advantage of new spring prompts and learn about new markets! Either way, you’re invited to hop aboard the “Poetry Express II” where you’ll learn (or review) our nifty technique for writing an engaging free verse poem on the spot, followed by four additional prompts to generate even more. (Warning: Keep your pen handy because you’re likely to start several others.) There’s no room for overthinking or second-guessing on the “Poetry Express II” because we’ll be having too much fun! Your “ticket” will also include editing tips to sharpen your poems, along with an overview of markets and contests and best practice poetry submission tips that will significantly increase your odds of publication.

This live Zoom webinar starts and ends on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Time: 11 AM – 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET

The webinar can be viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer (both Mac and PC).

The instructor will record the class and have it available for anyone who would prefer to view the class at a different time and date.

Format
This course is offered via Zoom webinar. Webinars are workshops given online, where you can view the instructor and websites/materials she shares on her screen, making it an interactive experience. Webinars make learning from your home or office convenient.

CLASS AT A GLANCE:

Live Webinar: Poetry Express II: Five Poems in Two Hours

Duration: 2 Hours

All aboard! In this express two-hour class, as your “conductor,” I’ll share excerpts from notable published poems that will inspire you to write your own. We’ll use my own technique — the 3-step “Poetry Express” prompt — that is guaranteed to bust through inhibition and help you generate an instant poem, followed by four equally inspirational prompts to write even more. We’ll cover tips and tricks to help you polish your poems with an aim toward publication, along with an overview of current markets. By the end of class, you’ll have five draft poems and a schedule of submission deadlines, plus take-away wisdom to help you establish a lifelong poetry habit. For an extra fee, I’ll critique your work and offer targeted submission recommendations within two weeks of the class.

Topics covered include:

• Overview – why you should write poetry
• A review of published poetry to inspire you
• 3-Step “Poetry Express” Prompt (board a train, grab a window seat, and enjoy the ride!)
• Four additional prompts to generate more instant poems
• Tips to edit your poems for publication on matters of sound, turn, punctuation, line breaks, and titles
• Overview of contests and markets, including best practice submission tips just for poetry
• Tips and a list of recommended books to keep your poetry train going
• Q & A

Materials Needed: Your favorite writing implement (pen, pencil, writing pad or keyboard) and your imagination.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:  Ashley Harris is a poet and teacher whose first poetry collection, Waiting for the Wood Thrush, described by acclaimed poet Ruth Moose as “witty, wise and overflowing with life and color” debuted in 2019 (Finishing Line Press). She has won the Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society for her poem “A Widow on Chester Street,” and has written poetry for O. Henry Magazine, The Phoenix, Naugatuck River Review, Broad River Review, Kakalak, among many others. Since 2021, she’s served as a critique editor and judge for WOW’s quarterly fiction and nonfiction contests, and her favorite hobby, by far, is helping other writers achieve their publication dreams.

COST: $35, which includes one two-hour webinar with a 15-minute Q&A with your instructor.

OPTIONAL CRITIQUE ADD-ON: A personal critique from the instructor of two poems (one-page limit each) plus submission recommendations for $40 ($75 total).

POETRY EXPRESS II with Ashley Harris (Thursday, April 23, 2026, 2pm – 4pm ET) Limit: 25 students. Early registration is recommended.

To register, click here, where you will be taken to the WOW registration page.

I hope to see you there! In the meantime, below is a selection of more kind comments from recent students.

“I loved your examples, the prompts, and your generosity in sharing your experiences and resources with us. You pack in so much invaluable information and I’m in awe of how you present so much over a relatively short period of time. Your encouragement, humor, and compassion are true gifts to us, and again, I thank you.” Laurie Miller (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

“I’ve been telling my friends what a fine instructor you are. You come prepared, do a wonderful job of boiling things down, and more importantly, you give your students confidence.”—Camille Armantrout (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

“I truly enjoyed your class and learned so much. I especially appreciated the framework you shared—it was incredibly helpful to see the visual slide as you walked us through each element. The exercises you used to guide us were both engaging and fun. You’re a wonderful instructor, and your authenticity really shines through.” –Linda Neff (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

Ashley, I thought your class (Shaping Nonfiction) was fabulous! I’m thrilled I did sign up and look forward to working with you more. So exciting! —Mary Anne Trause (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

Thanks so much, Ashley!! This was super helpful and enjoyable, and I can’t wait to get started using your ideas and tips. I’ve read a number of books on writing technique and have taken quite a few writing courses. I am also a professional content editor. I love “nuts and bolts” material, and your workshop did not disappoint! —Marlene Martzke (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

Thanks for the recording of Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc. I listen and then I watch and listen again. I’m revising a memoir. Your suggestions are very helpful. Hoping I’m on the right track! I’ve done many workshops on Zoom. Yours by far has been the most helpful to me! –Robin Allen (Shaping Creative Nonfiction)

This was fabulous and I will enjoy seeing the recording for the beginning. I loved hearing everyone’s work. So inspiring! I am also interested in any future classes! – Lisa Sukenic (Writing is for the Birds)

Thank you for the wonderful workshop. I am still on Cloud 9. You are the best teacher, best poet, best role model I know. I am eternally grateful for you and all that you do. Thank you for your teachings, your feedback and suggestions, your giving soul. You give me confidence in my voice. Thank you. – Mary Alice Dixon, author of Snakeberry Mamas: Words from the Wild (Writing is for the Birds)

Ashley, you and all the attendees are inspiring. Your class was such a pleasure! I was very impressed with your approach to commenting on the work attendees shared. You not only encouraged them but also highlighted specific details of what they did well. Thank you! I love your idea of letting birds help set a scene in place, time, season, and mood. And I’m hoping to add more birds to present and future writing projects. I’m also looking forward to your class on writing about fur-babies! With much appreciation, Rosemary Poole-Carter (Writing is for the Birds)

Thanks so much for sending the recording, I really enjoyed the presentation! Your enthusiasm for the birds is contagious and makes me want to try my hand at including them in my own writing. Also loved the idea of your Pet Project course coming up and will keep an eye out for that. Thanks again and best wishes to you! –Julie Flanders (Writing is for the Birds)

Great presentation! Lots of food for thought and future writing.  [This webinar] was just the right amount of each element…the examples, the writing to prompts, the resources, etc. Thank you for doing this! – Betty McCreary (Writing is for the Birds)

Ashley your class was an absolute JOY AND DELIGHT! The presentation, the participants, the prompts, the poems, the pacing…I loved every minute! – Michelle Seitzer  (Writing is for the Birds)