Pamenar Press Presents:
Writing About Illness and Disability
with Jacob Scheier
In this eight-week writing workshop we will be writing poetry and personal narrative (prose) exploring illness and disability. Through close reading, discussion of literary devices and workshop writing exercises and assignments, participants will work towards making their experiences of illness and disability speak to others in an evocative and possibly provocative way. Subject matter is not limited to physical illness and/or disability but includes mental health issues—as you identify them, (including, but certainly not limited to trauma). There is, in fact, no limitation on what “counts” as illness or disability. This course is inclusive and embraces diversity: people of color, indigenous peoples, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to be participants. No prior creative writing experience is needed to take this workshop. Novice writers are encouraged to take part.
“Jacob creates a class atmosphere that is safe, supportive, and truly creative, and this has given all of us the freedom to write very moving and powerful pieces around the subjects of grief and loss.” —Dianne Moore, Learner, former student of Jacob Scheier’s Writing About Grief workshop course.
Thursdays 6:30-9 pm October 3 to November 21 (*note: Facebook won't allow events to be more than 2 weeks, but this is an 8 week long weekly workshop, ending Nov. 21).
401 Richmond Street West, Suite 401
Cost: $300.00 (sliding scale available for those in financial need)
About Jacob: Jacob Scheier is a Governor General’s Award-winning poet. He is the author of two poetry collections with ECW Press: More to Keep us Warm (2007) and Letter from Brooklyn (2013). He is also the author of the nonfiction ebook My Never-Ending Acid Trip (2013) published by The Toronto Star. His poems and works of personal narrative have been widely published in journals and anthologies across North America and in the UK. For several years Jacob has facilitated creative writing workshops, including the course Writing About Grief, which he has taught at Ryerson University’s Chang School of Continuing Education and with indigenous communities in the Yukon and Ontario—amongst many other places and communities. Writing About Grief was inspired by Jacob’s experience being a peer-facilitator of support groups for bereaved young adults. Similarly, Writing About Illness and Disability comes out of Jacob’s personal experience and creative writing. Jacob also has an academic background in Disability Studies. To learn more go to jacobscheier.org
About Pamenar Press: Pamenar Press is an independent, cross-cultural, multilingual, experimental publisher, based in the UK, Canada, and Iran. Learn more about us at: pamenarpress.com
To register or for further information please contact: info@pamenarpress