Prom QUEENS: Poetry Workshop
Write and share your coming-of-age experiences at this free poetry workshop inspired by the anthology Prom Queens: Celebrating Prom Poems & Stories by Queens Writers from Poets of Queens Press (poetsofqueens.com).
Anthology editors and producers of the storytelling series No, YOU Tell It! (noyoutellit.com), Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons, Pichchenda Bao, and Tim Lindner invite writers of all levels to engage with works from the anthology to create their own poems and stories. Plus, a special musical performance and artwork by Prom Queens artist A King McCarty.
No need to have attended prom to join us!
About the Facilitators
Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons is a Queens-based writer, college essay writing instructor, and storyteller. Her nonfiction work has appeared in HiLoBrow, Marie Claire, Hippocampus Magazine, and numerous anthologies. She is the creator and producer of No, YOU Tell It! (noyoutellit.com), a nonfiction series that brings storytellers together to trade tales, speak each other's words, and empower voices on the page and stage. Kelly Jean is also the editor of the No, YOU Tell It! Ten-Year Anthology, available from Palm Circle Press. Visit kellyjeanfitzsimmons.com and follow @kjfitzsimmons for more.
Pichchenda Bao is a Cambodian American poet and writer, infant survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime, daughter of refugees, and stay-at-home mother. Her most recent work has been published in The Offing, SWWIM, Cultural Daily, and elsewhere. She is co-editor of the poetry anthology, Braving the Body (Harbor Editions). She serves on the editorial board of QUEENSBOUND, an audio poetry project for Queens, NY, and has received fellowships and awards from Aspen Words, Kundiman, Bethany Arts Community, and Queens Council on the Arts. She lives, writes, and raises her three kids in New York City. More at pichchendabao.com.
Tim Lindner is a writer and project manager who has been working with No, YOU Tell It! as a story coach and co-producer since 2020. Tim has published poems in The Northern Virginia Review, Awakenings Review, Artemis Journal, and other notable publications. He is also the editor of The Book of Life After Death, a collection of stories and poems about death and grieving, published by Tolsun Books in September 2023.
How to get to Governors Island?
Ferry Location:
Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin
The ferry runs every 30 minutes. You can check the ferry schedule and more information here.
Our House
NWNY's house is located at: 410A, Colonels Row
A Day on Governors Island
There will be many other artist residency spaces and events happening throughout the island, and we encourage you to explore and visit other spaces as part of your day.
We also recommend bringing a reusable water bottle, as there are water refill stations throughout the island.
There are several restaurants and food vendors on Governors Island, as well as beautiful green areas perfect for walking, relaxing, or having a picnic. You are also welcome to bring your own food or snacks if you prefer.