New course on haiku!
For those on any of my previous courses, this one contains new approaches and subject matter.
Suitable for people new to haiku poetry or already familiar with the subject.
Japan Times award-winning writer Alan Summers.
Become well-versed in haiku
Weblink:
Who is the course for?
This course is for everyone, whether new or familiar with the haiku genre. It’s both for those wishing to increase their confidence in creative writing, and those wishing to further their general written skills. This course is also ideal for those who enjoy trying something different, and new, in a relaxed, friendly, fun, supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
What does the course aim to do?
The course aims to bring participants a new depth of knowledge of a fascinating and addictive form of writing, and to familiarise them with its leading writers and history. It aims to bring a new creative outlet to student’s lives that can continue after the course – nobody is too busy to write haiku!
What will be covered?
The following topics will be covered during the course:
• The origin, background, and history of Classical, Modern, and Contemporary haiku.
• The various styles of haiku inside and outside Japan.
• A number of tools and techniques to understand, and write, contemporary haiku.
• How to keep a Haiku Journal.
• How to edit & strengthen your haiku drafts with confidence using a self-critical and analytical eye.
• What haiku editors and publishers are looking for in online and print journals, and competitions to send your haiku to (if you are interested in seeing your haiku published).
• Depending on course length we will also cover forms related to haiku such as tanka and renga.
Alan Summers has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University; he is a past General Secretary of the British Haiku Society; and a Japan Times award-winning writer for haiku and renga. His haiku are translated into 15 languages, including Japanese, Russian, and French, and includes British Sign Language.
Alan is an experienced workshop leader, and editor, in haiku and other haikai disciplines. He has appeared in literary festivals, and readings, all over Britain His 1000 verse renga city-wide projects have been supported by local councils and libraries, and reported on by the BBC’s Poetry Season.
His poetry has been published and anthologized worldwide, including four leading British haiku anthologies: Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku; Stepping Stones: a way into haiku; The New Haiku; and the Iron Book of British Haiku.
He is also regularly published in Japan, including Japanese newspaper publications: Yomiuri Shimbun; Asahi Shimbun; Mainichi Shimbun; The Japan Times; and The Mie Times.
QUOTES:
Alan is able to work with people who have no experience of poetry to encourage them to try it. He watches and listens with patience and respect and offers guidance that is flexible enough to empower the workshop participants but firm enough to support them.
Rachel Sutton-Spence (2010)
School of Applied Community and Health Studies
Centre for Personal and Professional Development
"Very many thanks again for all your constant and splendid help, support and
patience. I am well aware of the fact that I wouldn't be having such an
amazing journey with my haiku if wasn't for you."
Student, October 28th 2011
"As you probably know by now, I use every corner of my life as a way of
reflection of my psychological personal development - haiku in itself is
great for this, but working with you has just elevated the experience a 100
fold. I can not put into words how much this has meant to me, so as I tried
to say on the phone the haiku is almost secondary, but of course both mean a
lot to me. Your support over the last couple of years or so have just
been such an amazing gift to me - bless you."
Student, 27 September 2011
"Astonishingly moving haiku"
YOMIURI SHIMBUN (Japan) January 2005
"Widely known haiku poet...as dry as vintage champagne"
YOMIURI SHIMBUN (14 million readers in Japan) September 2002
"...you are one of the poets I have been most interested in. I love your haiku style."
Keiko Izawa, Yokohama, JAPAN
"Thank you very much for your support and participation to our festival. Everyone enjoyed it immensely."
Dr. MICHIKO KANEKO, British Sign Language Haiku Festival Organiser
Centre for Deaf Studies, University of Bristol
“Please keep up the great work!”
Patrick Wafula, Community Based Organization (CBO) Teacher, Nairobi, Kenya, Africa 2007
.
Great good fortune to you all. Happy New Year... Merrill
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