POETRYBAY PROMPT SESSIONS
One of the most effective ways to get your writing going is through prompts. Many of my own stories and poems have been born in workshops with interesting prompts that took me somewhere I would not have thought to go.
My flash fiction prompt sessions have been going on for three years and have had members go on to have many stories published as a result of the prompts and community that is built there.
I am now partnering with poet George Wallace of Poetrybay (which is the parent organization of FLASH BOULEVARD) and George will be leading poetry pop-up sessions.
Here's how the sessions work:
Poetry Workshop (George Wallace)This pop-up poetry workshop, led by poet George Wallace, offers a focused 90-minute creative session for writers at any stage. Each workshop stands alone, allowing participants to sign up whenever they feel the need to generate new work—no long-term commitment required. Sessions center on generative prompts designed to spark fresh drafts and encourage experimentation with voice, image, and form. Brief craft discussions support the writing without slowing momentum, and optional sharing provides a supportive space to hear work aloud. Writers can expect to leave with new material, renewed energy, and practical insights to carry their poems forward.
Flash Fiction Workshop (Francine Witte)This pop-up flash fiction workshop, led by Francine Witte, offers a concentrated 90-minute session for writers drawn to short, powerful narratives. Each meeting functions independently, inviting participants to join whenever they need a creative jumpstart. The workshop focuses on generative prompts that move writers quickly into new drafts, paired with concise craft discussion on compression, image, character, and what to leave unsaid. Optional sharing encourages reflection and connection. Participants will leave with fresh drafts, sharper focus, and tools they can immediately apply to revision and future work.
Cost per session is 30 dollars.
Announcement of each workshop will be by email, so if you are interested, please contact me at francinewitte@francinewitte.com with any questions or to be put on my mailing list. Also please specify which genre you are interested in.
George Wallace is writer in residence at Walt Whitman Birthplace, author of 45 books of poetry, and winner of the 2025 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award. A New York City native, he travels internationally to share his work and in 2024 was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Royal Academy of Spain (CIESART). Using a signature imagination-based brain-storming approach that has been praised widely, for over two decades George has led poetry workshops for all levels of student and community groups worldwide. He is editor in chief and publisher of POETRYBAY.
Francine Witte is a flash fiction writer, poet, and playwright. Her work has been in numerous journals and Best-of anthologies, most recently winning a Pushcart Prize for her flash fiction story, “Plate Spinner.” She was an English and Creative Writing teacher in the NYC public school system for 20 years. She has been leading prompt sessions for the past three years, and done many visits with classrooms on zoom and in-person. She is the editor of FLASH BOULEVARD and South Florida poetry journal. She is the host of the zoom reading FBOMB and along with Meg Pokrass, the PROSE GARDEN.
Francine Witte is a flash fiction writer, poet, and playwright. Her work has been in numerous journals and Best-of anthologies, most recently winning a Pushcart Prize for her flash fiction story, “Plate Spinner.” She was an English and Creative Writing teacher in the NYC public school system for 20 years. She has been leading prompt sessions for the past three years, and done many visits with classrooms on zoom and in-person. She is the editor of FLASH BOULEVARD and South Florida poetry journal. She is the host of the zoom reading FBOMB and along with Meg Pokrass, the PROSE GARDEN.
Words from Pop-Up Prompters
Reviews about Francine Witte
I like the substance and pace of Francine Witte’s prompt sessions. She sends you in and pulls you out of a new story, over and over, so those ripe beginnings are waiting the next time you sit down to write. --Pamela Painter
Francine’s pop-up sessions are always a delightful cozy nudge towards inspiration. What I love best is that whether you’re working with her one-on-one or in a small group, there’s room to explore new ideas, receive feedback and suggestions that are more generative than prescriptive, and make connections and build community. Her prompts are creative, her feedback is kindly worded and to the point, and she’s good about making time and space for everyone to feel seen and heard in small groups. I especially recommend scheduling a private session. In a private session you can explore your own work with a little more depth and Francine is such a generous editor with a knack for pointing out what’s working and why, as well as suggest ideas that could help you explore the parts that aren’t quite working yet. Cannot recommend enough.
-----Amy Marques
I don’t normally feel comfortable sharing, but Francine keeps her instructive, productive sessions small and informal, so I feel at ease. It feels like we’re gathered in her living room! -----Mikki Aronoff
Francine's pop-up prompt sessions are fun, relaxed, and personal, as she keeps groups small and intimate. She also offers private sessions, which are a great option if you would like more time for specific development and discussion of your own work. Francine is encouraging, kind, and constructive in her feedback, and I always leave these sessions with great new ideas and an extra kick of motivation and enthusiasm. I couldn’t recommend Francine’s sessions more highly!
-----Kelli Short Borges
Francine's prompt classes are guaranteed to get my imagination flowing in a low-pressure environment. Through free writing, discussing published stories, and considering how changing the form of a piece might give it more life, I'm reminded of how fun and relaxing writing can be, while also getting energized to keep going after the class ends.
---Joanna Theiss
Reviews about George Wallace
We are still basking in the afterglow of his visit and words are flying around and freely making associations with each other like they never did before. Ian Griffith, Suffolk Poetry Society
"I feel like I just walked out of Sears with a new box full of tools." Dan Spitzer, Angels & Writers, East Brunswick NJ
“George’s workshop was revolutionary for me, like drinking 5 cups of coffee without the caffeine. I've been doing the exercises on the public train each day, with surprising results.” Melissa Hobbs, Oakland Ca
"I highly recommend George Wallace’s creative writing workshop for both seasoned as well as aspiring poets and writers. George’s workshop is all about unlocking the creative process through well designed exercises that are non-intimidating, playful and yield surprising results and I believe that my own writing reached a much higher level after attending this class. There seems to be some real alchemy going on in these sessions." Anthony Policano, Hutton House Lectures, LIU-CW Post, Old Brookville NY "I have found George Wallace’s workshops to be challenging, inspiring and most importantly fun. His prompts and exercises in poetics help the seasoned as well as the novice poet explore the uses of language and spark one’s imagination. Personally, George’s workshops have helped me with my word choices to give the breath new life, sound and sight into my own poetry." Peter V. Dugan, Walt Whitman Birthplace, West Hills NY