2026 Workshop Series: September
Mad As Hell: The Poetics of Rage
facilitated by zakia henderson-brown
Monday, September 14, 2026
7-9pm EST
Zoom
the workshop:
To paraphrase Solange’s timeless reminder: there is a lot to be mad about. Or, as this workshop’s patron saint June Jordan eloquently asks: “what in the hell is everybody being reasonable about”? Explicit anger doesn’t often rear its head in poetry, perhaps because poets fear rage might come across as unconsidered on the page, that it would be better distilled down into something more universally palatable. In this generative poetry workshop, we will explore how anger has been employed in contemporary poetry, and to what effect: humor? agitation? catharsis? Together, we will read, discuss, and draw inspiration from texts by June Jordan, Martin Espada, D.M. Spratley, Marcus Wicker, Mary Ruefle, and others. We will engage in writing exercises and benefit from prompts and small group discussions that will allow writers of all levels to begin to develop their own poetics of rage.
the facilitator:
zakia henderson-brown is the author of The Body Losing Its Borders, winner of the 2025 Alice James Award Editor's Choice, and the author of What Kind of Omen Am I, winner of the Poetry Society of America’s Chapbook Fellowship. She is a 2023 NYFA/NYSCA Poetry Fellow, a Cave Canem graduate fellow, and has received additional support from the Cafe Royal Cultural Foundation, the Fine Arts Work Center, Callaloo Journal, and Poets House. She works as a senior editor at nonprofit publisher The New Press and is a Bed-Stuy native, resident, and loyalist.
No, Dear 2026 Workshop Series - September Edition: Mad As Hell: The Poetics of Rage, facilitated by zakia henderson-brown . . Monday, September 14, 7-9pm on Zoom . . . To paraphrase Solange’s timeless reminder: there is a lot to be mad about. Or, as this workshop’s patron saint June Jordan eloquently asks: “what in the hell is everybody being reasonable about”? Explicit anger doesn’t often rear its head in poetry, perhaps because poets fear rage might come across as unconsidered on the page, that it would be better distilled down into something more universally palatable. In this generative poetry workshop, we will explore how anger has been employed in contemporary poetry, and to what effect: humor? agitation? catharsis? Together, we will read, discuss, and draw inspiration from texts by June Jordan, Martin Espada, D.M. Spratley, Marcus Wicker, Mary Ruefle, and others. We will engage in writing exercises and benefit from prompts and small group discussions that will allow writers of all levels to begin to develop their own poetics of rage.
discount codes for those who need
No, Dear aims to be as inclusive and barrier-free as we can. If the workshop rate is a barrier for you to participate, please keep reading!
If you’re a student or a senior citizen, and would benefit from a $10 reduction in the price, use the code LEARN at checkout.
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, and would only be able to participate with a $20 reduction in the price, use the code SUPPORT at checkout.
If you’re in need of a full scholarship, email your interest to nodearmagazine at gmail dot com.
No, Dear 2026 Workshop Series - July through December subscription. Attend six workshops with six No, Dear poets, the second Monday of the month, from 7-9pm EST on Zoom. Your subscription also includes one guest pass for the workshop (and guest) of your choice!
July 13: Cynthia Chen - Poetry of Mundanity
August 10: Rishona Michael - The Power of Control
September 14: zakia henderson-brown - Mad As Hell: The Poetics of Rage
October 12: Joel Sedano - Against the Record: Generating Poems from the Legal Archive
November 9: danilo machado - Passenger Poems
December 14: Leila Ortiz - Tarot Poetics: Poem as Guide, Spell and Medicine