AWP Service Project: Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop

The AWP conference was a whirlwind of panels and readings and networking, but what really stood out was this service project at the book fair.  Free Minds Book Club, a DC organization dedicated to teaching and empowering incarcerated DC youth, brought in a workshop's worth of poems from youth in adult prisons.  

Conference attendees were prompted to respond with encouraging handwritten feedback, and in the process, read some great poetry from young voices who need to be heard. I also thought the blue handout pictured above gave some great tips on how to give useful, lasting feedback to young writers. This was a fantastic idea for a project, and an activity we're absolutely considering for our next event in April.  Stay tuned for more info!

For more information about Free Minds Book Club, check out their website at http://freemindsbookclub.org/