As a poet, I've been wanting to offer more poetry workshops through Oakland Word. As we approach our final round of classes, I've remedied this with two exciting new workshops just on poetry -- one for beginners and one for poets of any level.

In June, Amir Rabiyah will be teaching an introductory poetry class at the Main Library called "Speak On It! An Introduction to Poetry" while Oscar Bermeo will teach "Urban Poetry: Found in the Everyday" for all levels at the Chavez Branch. Both teachers come to Oakland Word with a wealth of experience as poets, performers and teachers.

Oakland Word favorite Claire Light will be teaching a new class via the Asian Branch -- "Prose Narrative: How to Develop Your Story" -- for fiction and creative non-fiction writers with a short story draft who want to revise, develop and workshop it with other writers.

As always, these workshops are free and wheelchair accessible.

Oakland Word's workshops have helped light sparks in many beginning and emerging writers. Here's what one of our past workshop participants has said about her experience:

"I had such an amazing experience that a bunch of us students have started our own creative writing group so we can keep the juices flowing! I hope that there is funding for more things like this in the future!"

Another participant gives us a future Oakland to write towards:

"I hope the program continues. It would be nice to see Oakland considered a literary center. I'd also like to see Oakland featured in more American literature."

While some might be aware of Oakland's past literary history, many are not aware of its present. Most notably, PEN Oakland's leadership and members have been at the forefront of promoting critical awareness of multicultural literatures. Numerous writers at all levels of their literary and intellectual careers call the city home. Oakland has also been the setting for a number of books, ranging from Yokohama, California by Toshio Mori to The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Divakaruni (both available at the Oakland Public Library).

My hope is that Oakland Word's free creative writing workshops can contribute to strengthening literary culture in Oakland. Who knows -- maybe one of the many writers who have taken a workshop or are considering taking one in June will be one of its luminaries.

Check our website for more information on our upcoming free creative writing workshops. Remember, this will be Oakland Word's final round of classes, so sign up by June 4 to get in!