THE POETS’ STUDIO: May Writing Workshop
DETAILS
May 6, 2025 @ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Twelve Gates Arts
106 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States (map)
ABOUT THE POETS’ STUDIO:
THE POETS’ STUDIO is a two-part monthly gathering for poets in Philadelphia who are interested in writing, revising, and connecting through poetry. We will be playful and rigorous, precise and expansive, providing a space for poets to commune, generate new writing, and workshop their poems.
THE WRITING WORKSHOP
Every first Tuesday, our Poet of the Month will give a reading and lead us through a generative writing workshop from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PMat 12G. A forthcoming Open Call will allow local poets to apply to feature for future sessions.
THE REVISION WORKSHOP
Every last Tuesday of the month, we will workshop three poets with priority given to those who attended The Writing Workshop. Those on the waitlist will be given priority the following month. Workshops will be reflective, curious, and critical, but ultimately steered by the poet themself. Facilitated by Sanam Sheriff, the Revision Workshop will take place from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at 12G.
Sanam Sheriff is a queer poet, artist, and educator from Bangalore, India. They have received support from the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, Kundiman, Brew & Forge, The Watering Hole, and The Seventh Wave, among others. Sanam’s work has been published in Indiana Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, The Academy of American Poets, Washington Square Review, Outlook India, and elsewhere. Sanam holds an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis. They currently serve as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College where they organize the Reading Series. Sanam is working, with much love, on their debut poetry collection.
This Month’s Poet is Raena Shirali, who will be giving a reading and leading us through this May’s writing workshop where poets will have the opportunity to generate and share new work.
Raena Shirali is the author of two collections of poetry. Her first book, GILT, was released by YesYes Books and won the 2018 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award. Published by Black Lawrence Press in October 2022, her second book, summonings, won the 2021 Hudson Prize and was shortlisted for the Julie Suk Award. Winner of a Pushcart Prize & a former Philip Roth Resident at Bucknell University, Shirali is also the recipient of prizes and honors from VIDA, Gulf Coast, Boston Review, & Cosmonauts Avenue. Her work has appeared in American Poetry Review, The Nation, The Rumpus, & elsewhere.