FutureVerse

Students who send their poems into the journal will also be eligible to apply to FutureVerse, an all-expenses paid 4 day poetry intensive in Ottawa! This program will give students the opportunity to work with well known authors, publishers, and activists as students work on developing their unique voices.  For a year after FutureVerse, participants will also meet online to continue sharing, developing, and growing as writers.  Simply submitting an original poem to the journal is the first step in the application process. Shortlisted students will be contacted about the next steps.

16 students in all will be selected from across Canada to partake in FutureVerse. Along with the 9 reciters selected to compete in National Finals, they will participate in an immersive poetic experience. Submit your poem for a chance to join us on this life changing adventure!

Our first FutureVerse event in April 2023 was a resounding success. Here’s a little of what students had to say about the experience:

“This week has truly been one of the best weeks of my life and I’m so so grateful for the experience. The planning and all the workshops and activities were superb”

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will forever cherish. I enjoyed every workshop and activity. Alongside making deep connections with others that are passionate about poetry (both other students and organizers/workshop leaders), I also feel that I grew a lot as a poet technically. The diversity, reading, and preparing work for publication workshops were the most significant for me in terms of growth, perspective change, and/or inspiration.”

“It was perhaps one of the best weeks of my life. I had never been surrounded by so many like-minded artists and had never felt so at home then with everyone there.”

“The experience was truly life-changing. I met some of the most brilliant, well-spoken, and genuine people I had ever come across. Every single staff member was so kind and lovely. It was an unforgettable experience.”

FAQs about FutureVerse

How are students chosen?
Students who send in their poems to the Poetry Prompt Prize and/or the Voices/Voix journal are automatically considered for FutureVerse. The Voices/Voix Journal editor shortlists top poems and sends them to the Poetry In Voice team. Those selected poets are then sent an application form to fill out and return to Poetry In Voice.

When do you find out if you’ve been selected?
We will announce the shortlist of FutureVerse participants on March 14, 2024 and the final participants on March 22, 2024

When and where will FutureVerse take place?
This year’s FutureVerse intensive will take place from April 22 2024 to April 26 2024 in Ottawa. For a year following the FutureVerse intensive, participants will meet online to continue sharing, developing, and growing as writers.

What kind of stuff will students do at FutureVerse?
Students will get to take part in writing workshops on subjects like mental health and addiction, eco poetics and activism, Indigenous literature and decolonizing poetry, publishing and professionalization. Last year’s line up included these workshops:

  • "Writing Change into the World: Equality, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Poetry," a workshop presented by Wakefield Brewster
  • Walking tour and writing activities by the Bow River, with Bertrand Bickersteth
  • Fill Yer Boots! Poetry Hunt, discovering poets and poetry-related locations throughout the city of Calgary
  • Indigenous lunch with Elder Adrian Wolfleg, paper making with Tamara Cardinal, and writing with Kaitlyn Purcell
  • "A Panel on Publishing and Professionalization," with Micheline Maylor and Rodney Saint-Éloi
  • Eco poetics writing and nature walk with Rita Wong

How many times can I apply?
You can send in as many poems as you like to the Voices/Voix journal. Each poem will be considered on its merit and can lead to a potential shortlist.

I still have questions, who do I ask?
You can contact our Creative Director, Sarah Tsiang: sarah@poetryinvoice.ca

Change the word with your words, a young woman reciting her poetry

 

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