Welcome to the Concision Poetry Workshop Group
Concision is a closed writing group, by invitation only. We are currently full, but thank you for your interest.
(Originated from WPL Open Mic Poetry Night Poets, in 2026)
We meet on the last Wed of every month at the Heuther at 6pm unless otherwise notified:
Oct 28
Nov 25
Dec 30th??
2027
Jan 27
Welcome to Concision, the Poetry Workshop Group founded by Poets who regularly read at the WPL Open Mic Poetry Nights. This file is a suggested “outline” that will help members maintain a successful group, with lightly structured meetings. All writing groups are fluid and organic, and along the way there may be changes that suit the group best. We have a three-minute per poem time window, and all works should be as closely timed as possible, because we are professionals.
Suggested Meeting Structure:
Hopefully a new “Captain” will volunteer to lead meetings so no individual is always responsible, and/or unable to come to all the meetings.
Begin with reading a poem from a “famous or well-established” Poet. It’s always good to start with good examples that teach us different styles. Please keep these examples within our three-minute limit so we can learn about their short-form structure and content. Tell us why you chose the poem and what you like (or dislike) about it. If they are short, single-stanza poems, allow three to be shared.
Each member shares one poem, ideally presented. Extra copies for the others to read and make notes would be appreciated if possible. After the reading, please give members a few minutes to reread the poem and make notes. When ready, go around the table to allow for constructive feedback (see tips below) and it’s helpful if members could write those notes on the poems to hand back. Feedback can be short to none, but let’s try not to go over three minutes per person.
Unable to Physically Attend:
If any member is unable to physically attend a meeting but would like feedback, you can send your work with another member who is willing and able to bring your poem, and collect the notes for you.
Helpful Tips on Giving Feedback:
Poetry can be deeply personal. Feedback should not be taken (or given) on a personal level. Again, we are professionals! J There are two categories up for critique, the written, and the spoken should you choose to present. I would like to encourage members to give up to three positive points, plus one item “to work on” or look at again. These are opinions, and you may or may not decide to edit your work accordingly.
Written: ideas for feedback can and may include notes and comments on…
Presentation: ideas for feedback can and may include notes and comments on…
Optional: How did it make you feel?
Ending the meetings:
Once everyone has had a chance to present/read/share and receive feedback, thank everyone for offering up their work, for being vulnerable, and for allowing us to share our thoughts with them. Members are then welcome to hang and socialize. Unlike WPL’s offer to “do another poem” it may be best to stay within a somewhat predictable timeframe.
If you are Concision Captain for the month, please write your name and date of the meeting on pages provided in this folder, as well as which Author/Poem you have used as an opening example to it doesn’t get repeated.
**Members:
It is best to control the size of the membership so that each individual gets appropriate attention to their work. If you are no longer interested, please inform the group. Doing some quick math, keeping to tight three-minute sharing and feedback, expected time for six people could be up to two hours. So I suggest a six-person maximum.
Concision is a closed writing group, by invitation only. We are currently full, but thank you for your interest.
(Originated from WPL Open Mic Poetry Night Poets, in 2026)
We meet on the last Wed of every month at the Heuther at 6pm unless otherwise notified:
Oct 28
Nov 25
Dec 30th??
2027
Jan 27
Welcome to Concision, the Poetry Workshop Group founded by Poets who regularly read at the WPL Open Mic Poetry Nights. This file is a suggested “outline” that will help members maintain a successful group, with lightly structured meetings. All writing groups are fluid and organic, and along the way there may be changes that suit the group best. We have a three-minute per poem time window, and all works should be as closely timed as possible, because we are professionals.
Suggested Meeting Structure:
Hopefully a new “Captain” will volunteer to lead meetings so no individual is always responsible, and/or unable to come to all the meetings.
Begin with reading a poem from a “famous or well-established” Poet. It’s always good to start with good examples that teach us different styles. Please keep these examples within our three-minute limit so we can learn about their short-form structure and content. Tell us why you chose the poem and what you like (or dislike) about it. If they are short, single-stanza poems, allow three to be shared.
Each member shares one poem, ideally presented. Extra copies for the others to read and make notes would be appreciated if possible. After the reading, please give members a few minutes to reread the poem and make notes. When ready, go around the table to allow for constructive feedback (see tips below) and it’s helpful if members could write those notes on the poems to hand back. Feedback can be short to none, but let’s try not to go over three minutes per person.
Unable to Physically Attend:
If any member is unable to physically attend a meeting but would like feedback, you can send your work with another member who is willing and able to bring your poem, and collect the notes for you.
Helpful Tips on Giving Feedback:
Poetry can be deeply personal. Feedback should not be taken (or given) on a personal level. Again, we are professionals! J There are two categories up for critique, the written, and the spoken should you choose to present. I would like to encourage members to give up to three positive points, plus one item “to work on” or look at again. These are opinions, and you may or may not decide to edit your work accordingly.
Written: ideas for feedback can and may include notes and comments on…
- Structure: lines and stanzas, not sentences or paragraphs
- Diction: choice of words and phrases, simple or complex, interesting and fitting
- Theme: a clear central idea
- Tone: serious, humorous, critical, loving?
- Rhythm and rhyme: if using a rhyming scheme does it stay within the structure, if free verse, does it have a flow
- Imagery/metaphors/symbolism: strong, too many, avoid mixed images
Presentation: ideas for feedback can and may include notes and comments on…
- Pacing: let the poem breathe
- Volume: projecting without yelling, and yes you can project a whisper
- Clarity of speech: both annunciation and avoiding “filler” nervous sounds like um and uh, etc
- Eye contact: or face up with eyes down to read
- Body language: confident or shrinking
- Fidgeting: can be hard to stop if you’re nervous
Optional: How did it make you feel?
Ending the meetings:
Once everyone has had a chance to present/read/share and receive feedback, thank everyone for offering up their work, for being vulnerable, and for allowing us to share our thoughts with them. Members are then welcome to hang and socialize. Unlike WPL’s offer to “do another poem” it may be best to stay within a somewhat predictable timeframe.
If you are Concision Captain for the month, please write your name and date of the meeting on pages provided in this folder, as well as which Author/Poem you have used as an opening example to it doesn’t get repeated.
**Members:
It is best to control the size of the membership so that each individual gets appropriate attention to their work. If you are no longer interested, please inform the group. Doing some quick math, keeping to tight three-minute sharing and feedback, expected time for six people could be up to two hours. So I suggest a six-person maximum.
WPL Open Mic Nights
Upcoming WPL Open Mic nights *IF* they all fall on the second Tuesday of the month, unless altered by holidays, etc... Until further notice:
Oct 13
Nov 10
Dec 8
2027
Jan 12
Feb 9
Upcoming WPL Open Mic nights *IF* they all fall on the second Tuesday of the month, unless altered by holidays, etc... Until further notice:
Oct 13
Nov 10
Dec 8
2027
Jan 12
Feb 9
Other Poetry Open Mic Nights
Looking for more? Here are some other locations and their potential openings for poets to come and read. If you have suggestions to add to this list, please include a link, and pertinent info.
Stratford:
The Bunker - Thursday Oct 29th - Poetry Stratford Live!
The Starlight - Third Saturday of every month, 2:00 PM – 4:00pm Next upcoming: October 17.
Guelph:
Spoken Word - Monthly Guelph Poetry Slam on the 3rd Saturday of the month, or Off the Page Open Mic on the 1st Tuesday of the month.
The Bullring (on UofG campus) - on-campus cafe hosts an all-talents open mic every Wednesday night from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM during the Fall and Winter semesters.
Looking for more? Here are some other locations and their potential openings for poets to come and read. If you have suggestions to add to this list, please include a link, and pertinent info.
Stratford:
The Bunker - Thursday Oct 29th - Poetry Stratford Live!
The Starlight - Third Saturday of every month, 2:00 PM – 4:00pm Next upcoming: October 17.
Guelph:
Spoken Word - Monthly Guelph Poetry Slam on the 3rd Saturday of the month, or Off the Page Open Mic on the 1st Tuesday of the month.
The Bullring (on UofG campus) - on-campus cafe hosts an all-talents open mic every Wednesday night from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM during the Fall and Winter semesters.
Publishing References
Looking to put together a book, or a market to publish your work? As of this posting references will be in no particular order until I see a pattern to combine and sort information.
Volumes in Waterloo. Volumes Publishing began in 2001 and is affiliated with M&T Printing Group. The Volume’s mission is to guide authors and illustrators through the publishing process. (Dean has used and has been very happy with them, ask for April.)
Duotrope - a market listing and publishing database (not just poetry) that has proved to be extremely useful. (Dean has a paid subscription.)
Submission Grinder - an extensive and powerful search engine to find a home for your work.
Looking to put together a book, or a market to publish your work? As of this posting references will be in no particular order until I see a pattern to combine and sort information.
Volumes in Waterloo. Volumes Publishing began in 2001 and is affiliated with M&T Printing Group. The Volume’s mission is to guide authors and illustrators through the publishing process. (Dean has used and has been very happy with them, ask for April.)
Duotrope - a market listing and publishing database (not just poetry) that has proved to be extremely useful. (Dean has a paid subscription.)
Submission Grinder - an extensive and powerful search engine to find a home for your work.