Joshua Turek's Weekend Poetry Workshop on Zoom Nov 8&9

The purpose behind this two day gathering is to encourage you to ponder, inspire, and concentrate deeper into writing poetry. 

Whether you are curious about starting, already write as a therapeutic outlet, or have ambitions of sharing your work at a larger scale, this gathering’s goal is to fortify your resolve and awaken new channels of expression. The tone will be encouraging and welcoming. I’ll dig into personal experiences and revelations from a lifetime of writing and learning far outside of academia. 

I’ve managed to sell thousands of my self published poetry books and it's allowed me to meet a lot of cool people simply because my words have resonated with them. Writing poems will be highlighted as a bridge from us to others and to different parts of ourselves. We'll focus on the pleasures of self interrogation and translating magic from the world around us.

In this weekend remote workshop, we will dedicate time for short exercises to awaken your impulses and carve out space to simply get words onto paper. I’ll open up the conversation for questions and answers and mutual sharing. After the course, I will also offer a single pass of notes on a batch of three of your poems that you’ve written and emailed to me alongside some of your personal information. I will give a few ideas on directions to get your work out there further (if that's what you want) and supportive thoughts about your samples.

Poetry is not outdated nor inaccessible, mine have reached millions of people. In an age of frazzled attention spans, this craft of verse still cuts through the din. I think writing and reading poetry is one important method for how we retain our minds and hearts. This will be an approachable course for people of all experience levels and requires only an inclusive spirit and the interest in contemplating creativity. Limited Spots available.

Zoom Workshop Schedule

Day 1 - Saturday, November 8th, 2025

•10am-12:30pm PST

I’ll be sharing prepared words on why we write, how to keep our morale going through the trials of creative and proffesional frustrations, the worthiness of inspiration, and the blessedness of forging our identities as poets. We will do several short but effective writing exercises and engage in the acts of practicing what we preach. I will also touch on the practical matters of sharing your work. Even if that's not your end goal, it's worthwhile to consider this lane of movement in the process of continuing to grow as an artist.

•12:30-1:30 PST lunch break

•1:30-3:00pm PST   Q&A followed by a light Homework Assignment (relatively painless don’t worry). I will also be open to discussing social media, sharing any tricks of the trade on growing an audience, and perspectives on how to deliver your words to the world. Self publishing is also something I can discuss and have much to contribute on the topic.

Day 2 - Sunday, November 9th, 2025

•10am-1pm PST

Exercises to motivate and sustain writing. Sharing of homework and group discussions on how engaging other forms of visual media can work in tandem with your poems. We’ll end with a shorter Q & A. I’ll then discuss your opportunity to email me three of your poems after the weekend concludes, the parameters of that exercise, and our intention to spark your poetry into tangible modes of sharing with someone close to you, your community, and possibly the world. You will then have until end of year to send me your work and any other questions for the included consultation.

Note: Both days will be recorded and a copy of each will be sent to all participants!

Sign Up Below: 

(Please read all FAQ’s prior to payment and joining the class)

What does the weekend workshop cost?

$125 or more for sliding scale low income, by all means (no proof necessary)

$250 suggested price

$325 benefactor price to help offset sliding scale

When is the sign up deadline?

Deadline to sign up is end of day, Thursday, November 6, 2025.

What do I need to bring?

It’s on Zoom so be with trusted wifi and device. A pen and pad of paper next to you. An open attitude.

Refund Policy?

All sign ups are final and no refunds. Poetry is subjective, so sign up trusting it can go any way but know that the instructor will be giving his all to the process. In case of emergency all considerations are at discretion of instructor. Also any behavioral disruptions and harrassment of any kind will not be tolerated and any dismissal from the class will not be refunded. Entrance and remaining in workshop are at the discretion of instructor who believes it will all go well!

When Will I Have the Zoom Link?

Link to the workshop will be sent out fifteen minutes prior to its beginning to the address given upon signing up.

When can I send you my three poems?

After the course has concluded! From that point until December 31, 2025. Send me three of your poems and a paragraph on your aims with them. I will then offer one reply with notes of encouragement and any ideas provoked from your material as to potential directions to take them. There are no guarantees I have anything mind-altering to provide but do have a lot of experience in finding avenues to get work out there via creative means on social media and much experience spent marinating on the journey of being a writer. I will only be able to provide a single reply and do my best to cover everything in that, please respect that offer of time.

*How to Sign Up and Pay to Ensure Spot*

1. Venmo, Zelle, or Paypal payment to links below

2. Then screenshot (or show proof of payment) and email to: acalmquietplace@gmail.com keep in mind that this email thread you create will also be where you get the Zoom link sent on the say of the workshop and also where you send me your batch of three poems and paragraph of information about yourself, your goals, and any questions you might have of me about your poetry for consultation once the workshop has concluded.

Payment Links:

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/JoshuaTurek

Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/joshuaturek

Zelle: acalmquietplace@gmail.com 

Pay on Site: Options for credit card payments etc in store on this site. Be sure to select the price you want. Button below

*Very Important* Remember to email me after payment with proof to ensure spot and email for the Zoom link*