As someone who needed scholarships, financial aid, and government grants for my entire education, I am committed to offering accessible learning opportunities and creative financing to writing students.
Hundreds of writers have come to me over the years, asking to take my classes for free, or at deeply subsidized rates. In response, I’ve awarded close to a hundred need-based scholarships since 2014.
I’m proud of my long track record of supporting low-income writers and continue to refine how I do this from one season to the next. Here are some of the ways you can access my teaching on a budget:
Sliding scale workshops: Periodically throughout the year I offer workshops where you may choose how much you give to take class. Keep your eyes open for Poetry as Consolation, Equal to the Darkness, and other pop-up sessions.
Installment payment plans:
I am always happy to create a payment plan with you. Just get in touch with me if you don’t see this option on the registration page for a course.
Free workshops:
From time to time I offer no cost workshops to the community. All are welcome. Bring your friends. They are announced through my newsletter, Ars Poetica. Be sure you are on the list.
Anne-Marie Oomen Literary Fellowship:
I offer one fellowship each year to a poet who shows exceptional promise. This award includes the opportunity to develop a body of work, while also assisting me in one of my manuscript incubators. The 2021 Anne-Marie Oomen Fellow was poet Moira Walsh, of Stuttgart, Germany. The 2023 fellow was Heather Mackey Young from the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. The 2024 recipient was Chelsea Wills of Petaluma, California. In 2025-2026 our fellow is Colleen Jaggi of Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Partial Scholarships:
Those who apply should be prepared to pay a portion of the tuition, while the balance will be covered by our very modest Scholarship Fund.
You may always reach me via the Contact page if you have further questions about any of these opportunities. As always, I welcome donations to support those writers who would not otherwise be able to take class with me.
