Kevin Spenst: Poetic Leaps and Forms

Participants create their own chapbooks with poet Kevin Spenst.

Kevin Spenst, a poet and writer, hosted a workshop on creating chapbooks. He emphasized the importance of community in poetry and discussed how words can be explored and shaped to create something unique. Spenst encouraged participants to consider the musicality and shape of words, and to think about the images that they evoke.

Poetry is the making of something.

So too a word, unfolds.

During the workshop, Spenst also emphasized the importance of tactile experiences in poetry and writing, noting that words can have a physical sensation. He encouraged participants to think about how words feel and to consider the tactility of paper when creating their own chapbooks.

Spenst also mentioned Jackpine Press as a resource for creating chapbooks. Jackpine Press is a Canadian independent publisher that specializes in chapbooks and small press books.

Overall, the workshop provided valuable insights and strategies for creating chapbooks. Spenst's emphasis on community, word exploration, and tactile experiences offer guidance for poets and writers looking to create their own chapbooks.

Kevin Spenst is a Canadian poet and writer based in British Columbia. He is the author of several books of poetry, including "Ignite" and "Jabbering with Bing Bong", which won the 2015 Alfred G. Bailey Prize. Spenst is known for his dynamic and engaging performances, and his work often explores themes of identity, memory, and place. In addition to his writing, Spenst is also a dedicated teacher and workshop facilitator, and has worked with a wide range of students and writers.