Although I am happy to hear poetry in workshops I lead, I do not consider myself a good judge of what is acceptable in modern poetry.  So much of it, to me, seems better said in prose.  However, no writing is barred from my workshops. Others in the prose groups have perceptive comments about any poetry we hear and the writers normally bring as much prose as poetry for consideration. Among my writer friends in another city is one who conducts a workshop exclusively for poets. She tells me that none of them is particularly interested in seeing their poetry published–a philosophy that I do not personally understand–but her group meets twice and month and is well attended.

Within the past year a new member of one of my workshops, a retired kindergarten teacher, brought a clever, very short manuscript intended for children.  It was so good in my judgment that I began thinking about launching a workshop exclusively for writers of children's material.  My past publishing experience  includes a number of children's books and I have children's manuscripts in my files that I have neglected in favor of writing adult material.  That writer and I consulted and the result is my 5th workshop in which we read only work designed for children. 

I keep my workshops small in number to make sure that everybody who wants to read has time to do so. Two hours of this kind of reading and critique seem enough for me.  One of my groups is composed of members reading book chapters.  This group is limited to five members.  We consume at least two hours. It is the only group in which I read my own work, with the exception of the new children's writers group.

If you question whether or not you want to lead or participate in such, I urge you to find some kind of "fit" for yourself and others.  A workshop can be an extremely helpful boost to your writing production and sales! I've proved this over and over though the past 50 years.  –Willma

the greatest boost to your writing