PRINTED MATTER VANCOUVER

Christopher Luna by Alisha Jucevic for the Columbian

Christopher Luna leads creative writing workshops and classes year-round. He is also accepting new coaching clients and manuscripts for editing. If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.

The best way to stay up-to-date on his offerings is to request to receive The Work, Christopher Luna’s monthly newsletter for poets in Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area.

According to Rae Latham, a writer in Christopher’s Monday morning workshop at Multnomah Arts Center, “Christopher is the poetry alchemist who helps us discover gold.” Multnomah Arts Center writer Rule Brand wrote that the poetry workshop “has been a refuge, a crucible, a weekly reunion of sensitive minds, a relief from the outside world, a deep delve into the receptacle that holds thoughts needing to be given air, a chance to let go, an acceptable purging exercise, etc. So much gratitude for carrying us forward, opening the ‘doors’ to your house of poetry, & most of all sharing your encouragement & insight.” Another poet, Lucinda Sisson, commented: “Christopher Luna has an extraordinary gift of validating others. In teaching, this is invaluable. In life, a precious force.”

About Exchanging Wisdom: A Guide for Parents of the Autonomous (co-authored with his son Angelo for The Poetry Box), Christopher’s former teacher Lisa Jarnot writes that “Christopher Luna is a true heir to the Beat and New York School traditions of candor and grandeur.”

Christopher Luna is very pleased to offer workshops to those who would like to meet in person as well as those who prefer online instruction.

POETRY WRITING

Poetry Writing at Multnomah Arts Center

7688 SW CAPITOL HWY • PORTLAND, OR 97219 • (503) 823-2787

Registration opens March 8 at 12:30pm:

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/portlandparks/activity/search/detail/151747

Spring 2023 Poetry Writing with Christopher Luna
Ages 16 & Up (10 seats)

Mondays 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

April 3 – June 5, 2023
(No class on 5/29)
MAC Room 07

$265.00

Engage in the craft of writing poetry as you give form and focus to expression through words. Suitable for all levels, explore poetry through weekly prompts and writing exercises. Students will also have the opportunity to read, share, and respond to one another’s works in a group setting that is highly supportive of all writing styles.

The Summer session for Poetry Writing will take place from June 26 – August 21.

THE WORK
POETRY WORKSHOP

“Well, while I’m here I’ll do the work — and what’s the work?
To ease the pain of living. Everything else, drunken dumbshow.”
― Allen Ginsberg, “Memory Gardens” (Fall of America, City Lights)

Excited about trying your hand at a poetry writing workshop but feeling nervouse about what to expect? Read What happens during The Work poetry writing workshop? Information for newcomers

IN PERSON AT BIRDHOUSE BOOKS

2-5 pm
The Second Saturday of every month
Birdhouse Books
1001 Main St Basement
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-602-1098

Beginning in February 2023, The Saturday edition of The Work will take place at Birdhouse Books, the cozy, friendly used bookstore in Vancouver’s Arts District co-owned by Sarah Summerhill and Lucas Gubala. Sarah and Lucas have shown their love  and support for local authors by dedicating an entire section of the store to Northwest writers and hosting poetry readings for every First Friday Art Walk.

The cost for this workshop will be a $25 suggested donation. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

The Work takes place at Birdhouse Books from 2:00 – 5:00 pm on the second Saturday of the month. The Work is a drop-in poetry writing workshop for beginners as well as more experienced writers. Poetry encourages empathy and compassion, and sparks the shifts in consciousness which lead to healing, personal growth, and an interest in fighting for progressive social change.

We will read and discuss poetry, and write several new poems together. Each workshop will feature at least three timed writing exercises.

Early 2023 Saturday afternoon workshops will take place on January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13.

I am very grateful to Leah Jackson for providing me with a space to hold my poetry workshop for many years. We will continue to collaborate on projects and workshops including my in-person memoir writing group. Please stop by and continue to support Niche Wine Bar, Riverview Tower 900 Washington Street #130 Vancouver, Washington 98660.

THE WORK ON ZOOM

There is also a Monday evening version of the workshop that meets on Zoom from 6:00 – 8:30 pm on the second and fourth Monday of the month, except where noted. The cost for this workshop is a $20 suggested donation. Early 2023 Monday evening workshops will take place on January 9 and 23, February 13 and 27, March 13 and 27,  April 10 and 24, and May 8 and 22.

RSVP to Christopher Luna via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to receive a Zoom Invitation to participate in this workshop.

TUESDAY MORNINGS ON ZOOM

The Work
Every Tuesday

10am – 12:30 pm
$10 per session

Those who have the time to make a deeper commitment to their writing development can participate in a weekly online workshop that meets year-round on Tuesday mornings from 10-12:30. The cost for each session is ten dollars, payable via check or PayPal (christopherjluna@gmail.com). Some prefer to pay for several classes or several months in advance. Contact Christopher Luna for more information.

MEMOIR WRITING

MEMOIR IN PERSON AT MULTNOMAH ARTS CENTER

7688 SW CAPITOL HWY • PORTLAND, OR 97219 • (503) 823-2787

Registration begins on March 8 at 12:30pm:

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/portlandparks/activity/search/detail/151746

Monday afternoons at Multnomah Arts Center

Memoir Writing with Christopher Luna
Spring 2023
April 3 – June 5, 2023 (No class on 5/29)
$265.00

MAC – Room 07
16 yrs + (6 seats)

Document your memories for your family and/or future publication. Complete short timed writings as well as weekly take-home assignments. Give and receive feedback in a safe, informal, small-group setting.

MEMOIR WRITING IN PERSON AT NICHE WINE BAR

Niche Wine Bar
Riverview Tower
900 Washington Street #130
Vancouver, Washington 98660
nichewine@gmail.com
360-253-1742

Memoir Writing returns to Niche on Thursday afternoons.

2-5 pm
March 9 – April 27
$250 (payable to Christopher Luna)

Open to all skill levels. The class will be limited to six participants.

Upcoming eight week sessions:May 4 – June 22
June 29 – August 24 (no class August 17)
September 28 – November 16

Join Christopher Luna every Thursday for eight weeks as he leads writing exercises based on Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald. Each three-hour session will begin with the reading of a brief excerpt from the example memoir followed by a short writing exercise. The majority of our time will be spent listening to and discussing each writer’s story and helping her to think about how to structure and develop a book-length memoir or series of creative nonfiction essays. This weekly writers group is an opportunity to give and receive feedback in a safe, informal environment. This workshop is appropriate for those who are hoping to publish a memoir as well as those who simply wish to document their life experiences for their family.

MEMOIR WRITING ON ZOOM

Note: As of Friday, March 3, this workshop is full.

Tuesday Afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00

March 7 – April 25

The class will be limited to six participants.

Cost: $200 (check or PayPal via christopherjluna@gmail.com)

Upcoming eight-week sessions:

May 2 – June 20
June 27 – August 22
October 3 – November 21