The Mill District General Store, Class
Fall Writing Workshop with Olivia Piper
Welcome Fall: Nature Writing for the Changing Seasons
The workshop will begin with a slow nature walk around nearby Puffer’s Pond, inviting each of us to observe the small details of the world around us—the curve of a leaf, the rhythm of birdsong, the texture of tree bark. Guided prompts will encourage us to notice with all our senses, collecting impressions as raw material for our work. After the walk, our group will gather inside The Mill District General Store’s Gallery Workspace to transform those observations into poems, stories, or reflective essays, allowing the experience of the landscape to shape language and inspire creativity. Alternative outdoor locations are available for those who prefer not to walk, but would still like to enjoy nature.
About the Facilitator: Olivia Piper (She/Her) is a writer, an educator, and a New Englander. Her work has previously been published in The Connecticut River Review, Funicular Magazine, Black Fox Literary Magazine, Devastation Baby, Woodsqueer, and Sky Island Journal, among others. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Hollins University, and a master’s in Education from Boston University. She is also the owner of Courtney’s Bookshop, a mobile, Western Mass based bookshop that specializes in queer and feminist literature as well as poetry and creative nonfiction. You can find her on Instagram @courtneysbookshop
Workshop Notes: Please bring paper and something to write/take notes with (a notebook and pen or pencil would be best!) as well as a bottle of water. Additionally, please dress appropriately for the weather as well as for a short nature walk. Please note that if you bring a laptop, phone or iPad to write with, you will be responsible for this technology during the walk/or will need to be comfortable leaving it inside The Mill District General Store or your vehicle during the walk.
