Teaching and Speaking
Invite Joanne to speak at your retreat, do a poetry reading, be a classroom guest, or lead a workshop. Use the contact form or email Joanne to schedule her for an event.
Current Presentations
Remembering Your Story can be anything from a keynote address to a weekend long writing workshop. Participants learn how to write about their lives and leave a legacy for family and friends. Consider a day-long series that will help your church members share their faith by writing their stories.
The Nature of Poetry will help nature lovers deepen their power of paying attention and then put their observations into words. Key elements of poetry writing are introduced and practiced during this workshop that preferably allows for an outdoor setting.
Memoir as Poetry is a workshop in which participants use memories from an earlier time to write a poem. They will learn a process that can be used to create original poems from lived experiences. Instruction includes learning to write concisely and use literary devices to deepen the meaning of a poem.
Journal to the Center Journaling is a spiritual practice that invites healing and wholeness as we allow our words and feelings to spill onto the page. This writing is only for us and can enrich our experience with scripture, prayer, and Bible reading. Journals may help us gain emotional insight and improved mental health.
Past Presentations
“The Word and words” Sermon at Summit Mennonite Church, November 11, 2023.
“Why Did You Change the Words of My Favorite Hymn?” Presentation and Discussion at Summit Mennonite Church, July 2, 2023.
“Learning from the Poet Louise Gluck” Presentation and Workshop, Orrville Poetry Club, July 27, 2020 (on Zoom).
“Writing from the Fountain” Featured speaker at Wayne College 16th Annual Writers Workshop, April 2, 2019.Alumni Reading, Ashland MFA, Ashland, Ohio. Read selections of creative nonfiction, 2010.
“Getting Creative in the Writing Center,” NEOWCA, Wooster, Ohio. Organized and facilitated a discussion of tutoring creative writing assignments, 2009.
Poetry Readings/Ohio Poetry Association, Mt. Vernon, Ohio and Belleville, Ohio chapters. Read selections from MFA thesis, 2009.
“Writing Creative Nonfiction,” taught a half-day workshop, Greater Canton Writers’ Guild, Canton, Ohio, 2008.
“Writing Nature Poems,” topic was how to teach poetry writing. Presented to educators’ group affiliated with Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, Ashland, Ohio, 2008.
“Poems from Memory: making poems from childhood,” Workshop facilitator, Coshocton Writers’ Conference, 2008.
“Tips of the Trade for Fiction Writers”, Tuscarawas Writers’ Guild, Tuscarawas Arts Center, Coshocton, OH, 2007.
“Journal to the Center”, Presented a journaling presentation for Women’s Studies Center, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 2007.
“Writing Your Life: getting started with memoir”, Plenary Speech, Write-On! Writers’ Conference, Coshocton, OH, 2007.
Wick Poetry Presentations, Kent State University; visited creative writing classrooms and gave readings at school and community venues as part of the Wick Poetry Competition winner, 2005.
“Poetry of Memoir”, facilitated interactive poetry workshop at Wayne College Writer’s Conference, University of Akron, Wayne College, Orrville, OH, 2005.
“Remembering Your Story: sharing your heritage of faith”, Senior Day keynote speaker, Camp Luz, Orrville, 2005.
“Chick Lit—From Chicken Farm to Fiction Writer,” American Association of University Women keynote speaker, Wooster, Ohio, 2005.
Directed short-term writing programs at OrrVilla retirement community in summer of 2012 and 2013.
Get in touch.
To invite Joanne to teach or speak at your event, contact her through this form.