Poet and spoken word artist Cherie Hanson will be the featured guest speaker at the workshop Wild at Heart Poetry Primer, part of the winter-spring workshop series put on by Curious Beyond Words School of Writing (curiousbeyondwords.com). Hosted by co-instructor Dona Sturmanis, it takes place Saturday, January 24, 11am-3pm, small meeting room, second floor, downtown Kelowna library on Ellis Street. The cost is $55.

Poetry is a form that can really set you free as a writer. Whether you are just exploring poetry or are writing it and want some more information, this session will both educate and excite you.

We’ll chat about some of the myriad forms and philosophy of poetry; how to learn to love poetry and how it can benefit your other writing; tips and techniques for writing and editing poetry; how to read your poetry out loud; and publication opportunities.

Cherie Hanson, alumni member of the Jack Kerouac Disembodied School of Poetics at Naropa University in Colorado is author of eight books and is a spoken word artist. She has published poetry in many journals, taught writing for over 30 years, and is incorporating multimedia into her spoken word performances, which are popular around Kelowna. She is described as fearless, dramatic and challenging in her performances. Renowned author and therapist Gabor Mate has called Cherie “a gifted, inspired writer.”

Dona Sturmanis has published poems in many journals, has won several awards for her work (including the Kalamalka Press National Writers Competition) and has two books of poetry published.

For more information, or to register call Dona at 778-214-6318, email donasturmanis@yahoo.com, or visit curiousbeyondwords.com. Registration confirmation must be made before January 24, with payment of $55 at the class or before.