Jose Hernandez Diaz

Exploring “Subversive” Prose Poetry: A Generative Workshop 

Sunday, Dec 14, 2025, 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.

In this workshop writers will unravel the various schools of prose poetry via close readings and prompts. We will explore what makes a prose poem a prose poem as well as the nuances of different schools of prose poetry, including realist, surrealist, and fabulist schools. We will read such diverse authors as Claudia Rankine, Ada Limon, Ray Gonzalez, Shivani Mehta, James Tate, Terrance Hayes, Gertrude Stein, and Sabrina Orah Mark.

Also, I will share his prose poetry prompts, and sample prose poems, in order that students gain insight into the drafting and editing processes. I will similarly share my personal experiences with submissions and publishing in over 200 literary magazines and offer valuable feedback and advice to writers. Students will be encouraged (optional) to share one of their prose poems written in the workshop for feedback with the instructor via email.

Required Reading (in Reader):

“Essay on the Prose Poem” by Charles Simic in Plume.

https://plumepoetry.com/essay-on-the-prose-poem-by-charles-simic/

“Prose Poetry: What’s the Point” by Hannah Huff.

https://notesofoak.com/discover-literature/prose-poetry-what-is-the-point/#:~:text=In%20short%20and%20quite%20simply,the%20text%20and%20in%20existence.