Callie Feyen’s year-long “reading Shakespeare” experience takes her to King Lear, and the moment of crossing the place where mystery and empathy intersect.
Reading the 1913 Edition of ‘Cassell’s Illustrated Shakespeare’
To read “Cassell’s Illustrated Shakespeare” is to rediscover the great playwright and step into a time when families read Shakespeare.
Poetry Prompt: A spiral staircase, anxiety, and the sestina
Join Callie Feyen and walk a spiral staircase with Tania Runyan, poet and author of “How to Write a Form Poem,” in order to understand the sestina.
Julius Caesar: Et Tu, Brute? Opposite Day and the Ides of March
For the Ides of March, Tania Runyan has a Julius Caesar “Opposite Day” poetry prompt.
Poetry Prompt: Unhoped Joy
What does joy that is unhoped for look like? Join author Callie Feyen as she explores the warmth of gloves and other gifts from the pandemic.
Poet Laura: Poultry Poetry—Feeding Grapes and Reading Sonnets to Chickens
This month, our intrepid Poet Laura visits chickens on a chilly day, bearing delicious grapes and heartfelt sonnets.
Generosity with Self: When You’re In The Wrong Story
Callie Feyen reflects on Henry VI and encourages Winchester to be generous enough with himself to leave when he’s in the wrong story.
Poetry Prompt: ‘Twelfth Night’ and the Fool
What do you do when reading (or living) a difficult story? Callie Feyen suggests you consider poetry and Shakespeare’s Fool from ‘Twelfth Night.’
“How to Think Like Shakespeare” by Scott Newstok
In “How to Think Like Shakespeare,” Scott Newstok considers the purpose of education and what we can learn from Shakespeare.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter 3, Snowflake Lights, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and Pumpkin-Spiced Whoopee Pies
Our fall into fiction series continues with snowflake lights, Shakespeare sonnets, and whoopee pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 3.
Forgotten Classics: “Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute
“Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute, long out of print, remains one of the best literary biographies of the playwright that we have.
By Heart: “Come, Night” + New Thomas Hardy Challenge
Join author Megan Willome as she learns William Shakespeare’s ‘Come, Night’ from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ By Heart while savoring this season of extra night.
Poetry Prompt: Your Queen Mab—What Helps Or Haunts You?
Join author Callie Feyen as she shares an excerpt from The Teacher Diaries, and explores the dreams we have that both help and haunt us.
Sun and Moon Poems: Night Poetry Prompt
Join author Callie Feyen as she confesses her fear of teaching Romeo and Juliet, and realizes there is much more to see than what she’s afraid of.
Cross-Generational Friendships: Where’s My Daughter? Call Her Forth
One glimmering night, three generations, and a whole lot of love—with a little Shakespeare to flavor the memory. From author Callie Feyen.
Reading in the Wild: August’s Pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your August pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her August good reads.
Great Friendship Tales: Shakespeare and ‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’
Great friendship tales, like that of Hermione and Paulina from Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale,’ live again in ‘Exit, Pursued by a Bear’ by E.K. Johnston.
Commit Poetry: Romeo & Juliet’s Two Households
Sandra Heska King winds up her memorization of selections from Romeo & Juliet among crayfish and shoulder-high ferns, considering the divisions of two houses.
Nothing Lost: Shakespeare Adapted
Nothing is lost when you take the time to see Shakespeare adapted—in film or on stage.
Birthdays & Birthstones Poetry Prompt—The Tempest as Fairy Tale
Explore Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and write a fairy tale poem about a royal birth where magic is afoot and things aren’t what they seem.