The Twelve Chairs Poetry Seminars begins its second series on Saturday, January 4, 2014. The program, consisting of thirty seminars (six hours each) is targeted for poets seeking to broaden the craft, scope and voice contained in their work. Subject matter presented (syllabus available upon request) is both incisive and deep; the approach, however, is light, interactive, and innovative. There are no prerequisites; a new poet could take this course as easily as a published, working poet.  The classes are held monthly until the course is completed.

Al Rocheleau’s poems have appeared in over 40 magazines in the United States, Canada, the U.K., France, Austria, and Poland. His work has been read on WMFE, an affiliate of National Public Radio, and can be seen at internet sites as diverse as the Surratt House Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Saint Bernadette Institute of Sacred Art in New Mexico. His teaching articles are archived in resource databases of numerous colleges, high schools, and middle schools.

For many years, Al hosted popular online workshops, and served as Poetry Editor and Senior Columnist at Amazing Instant Novelist, a writers’ site sponsored by America Online. In 2004, Al received the Thomas Burnett Swann Award from the Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Association. He has lectured at Emerson College, at the University of Massachusetts, and for many writers groups including the Florida Writers Association.

In 2010, Al’s poetry manual, On Writing Poetry: for Poets Made as Well as Born, appeared through Shantih Press; the book has been distributed to school and public libraries through Follett Library Resources, and is also available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Class size is limited to twelve. Three  outstanding chairs remain for the upcoming series. Interested poets may contact Al at ARRO40@aol.com or call 407-592-4527.