In our ENG 313 Types of Creative Writing course, “Subversive Structures, Divergent Forms,” we’ll investigate literary works that defy convention. We’ll explore the parameters against which these works emerge. We’ll interrogate society, Academia, the publishing industry, and other institutions responsible for imposing those parameters. Along the way, we’ll consider the ways in which literature and society are in conversation—how they intersect, mirror, and contrast one another. We’ll grapple with challenges, constraints, and possibilities centered on literary innovation. We’ll ask big questions: What is “writing”? What does “publication” mean? How might these subversive structures and divergent forms we’re studying impact your own writing? This course will be a fusion of self-directed learning and deep communal integration whereby as writers we will strive towards empowering each other both critically and kindly. The end-goal for us is to cultivate a new (or renewed) sense of purpose in our writing. Our course includes a final project (but neither a final exam nor mid-term!). There to help us every step of the way are a number of investigative pieces, reflections, and group activities designed to enliven our readings, discussions, and lectures. We’ll be carving out time throughout the semester for exploring and developing constructive methods to enrich our writing skills and reading comprehension through student-led writing workshops, using our very own work as a means for analysis and discussion. Course texts will be made available to you digitally, and free of charge! Our class is designated as “hybrid,” which means we’ll decide as a group at the start of Summer Session II which two days of the week work best for us to meet online (via Zoom from 10:30 to 12) and which three days of the week are best suited for our “async” days – a mix of independent learning (text- and workshop-preparations and, obviously, writing!) and one-on-one mentoring. Think of our two “synchronous” days as our virtual creative writing classroom, in which we’ll have the opportunity to go over housekeeping, hold discussions, review assigned texts and writing assignments etc., and to eventually host our creative writing workshop. Lastly, I’ll plan on physically being on campus at least one, if not two, of our “async” days. So if you’re on-island this summer and would rather experience one-on-one mentoring in-person, I have you covered!