Other
Jan 29, 2026: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Rockbridge Regional Library in Lexington
Strong creative writing often involves bringing something hidden to light, and winter can be a good season for these imaginative expeditions. English Professor Lesley Wheeler—author of six poetry collections as well as a novel and an essay collection—will preface this free workshop with a brief reading and discussion of the fungal underworlds in her latest book, Mycocosmic. She’ll also give examples of how other authors dig into such spaces, including the current U.S. Poet Laureate, Arthur Sze and novelist Lauren Groff. Participants are encouraged to bring pen and paper or any favorite writing device to use as Wheeler leads in brainstorming, drafting, and discussing new work exploring their own basements, caves, and secret networks, and how life begins from these overlooked grounds. Appropriate for writers of any genre, whether they’ve been poking around literary underworlds for a long time or are just getting started.