New York State Writers Institute Poet-in-Residence Joan Murray will conduct a comprehensive introductory course for writers wishing a serious immersion in poetry. This course will cover a variety of approaches to the poem including techniques, strategies, and models of contemporary lyric and narrative verse. Sessions will include workshop critiques, exercises, revision, and publishing information. Ideal for writers of other genres, self-taught poets, and other practitioners who want a concentrated experience in contemporary poetry.

A SERIOUS INTRODUCTION TO POETRY workshop is scheduled for seven Tuesday/Thursday nights (April 24, 26, May 3, 15, 17, 22, 24) from 6 to 9 p.m. The workshop, which will be held at the University at Albany�s uptown campus, is offered free of charge for non-credit, and will be limited to 15 participants. To be considered, submit poetry samples to the Writers Institute according to the guidelines listed below. Due to the volume of submissions received from previous workshops, we must insist that you follow the guidelines exactly.

Guidelines for A SERIOUS INTRODUCTION TO POETRY Workshop

1. All poetry submissions must be typewritten and may be double or single-spaced.
2. Submit no more than five pages of poetry (one poem per page or separate poems up to 5 pages). For writers already working in the creative prose genres, a sample of up to 5 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction, double spaced, would be acceptable.
3. All submissions must include a separate cover sheet with name, address, work and home telephone numbers, and the title of the piece (e-mail optional). Do not put your name on any other pages of the submission.
4. Be sure to keep a copy of your work, as your submission will not be returned to you.
5. Writers enrolled in a University at Albany writing class for the Spring 2001 semester, whether graduate or undergraduate, and writers who participated in the Joan Murray poetry workshop during the Fall 2000 are not eligible. Auditing is not permitted.
6. Submissions delivered in person will be accepted up until 1 p.m. on Monday, April 9, 2001. Mailed submissions must be postmarked not later than Thursday, April 5, 2001.
7. Notification of acceptance will be by Thursday, April 19, 2001. Please do not call regarding the status of your manuscript. We regret that neither Ms. Murray nor the Institute can comment on manuscripts by writers not selected.
8. Mail manuscripts to:

Murray Poetry Workshop New York State Writers Institute Humanities 355 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12222