Explore and practice the lyric essay, a hybrid genre that mixes elements of essayistic and poetic forms. Taught by Ari Koontz.
Two Sessions
Sundays, 10:00am-12:00pm
October 18
October 25
What does it mean to go beyond chronological memoir, and what other nonfiction possibilities are out there? Over two generative and interactive sessions, we will explore and practice the lyric essay, a hybrid genre that mixes elements of essayistic and poetic forms. We’ll warm up our nonfiction voices and play with shape, structure, and research to create our own unique essay styles. Students will lean into experimentation, curiosity, and unexpected connections through a variety of writing exercises and group discussion, and will leave with an understanding of how this fluid genre can be used to help tell their stories.
Class Maximum: 14 students
OlyPages’ Classes must meet a minimum registration of 5 in order to be held. Register early to ensure the class you want is held!
A scholarship may be available for this class.
Please contact us for more information.
Instructor: Ari Koontz
Photo Credit: August Reid
Ari Koontz (they/he) Ari Koontz (they/he) is a queer trans writer and artist with an MFA from Northern Michigan University, where they taught composition and served as an editor for the journal Passages North. Ari's debut middle-grade novel is Just Ask Elsie (Feiwel & Friends, 2026), and their essays & short stories have been published in Hayden's Ferry, Storm Cellar, Under the Gum Tree, and elsewhere.In the classroom and on the page, Ari is dedicated to fostering creativity, curiosity, and bravery, as well as uplifting diverse voices and stories so that we may all see ourselves represented and celebrated. Learn more about Ari.
This class takes place upstairs in OlyPages Studio. Learn how to find us.