Instructor: Peter LaBerge
We're thrilled to introduce a new program for teen writers looking to advance beyond the teen literary world's well-worn path. This four-week asynchronous studio will empower you to spend August generating new work, sharpening the craft choices that distinguish serious writers from the slush, and building a real foothold in the literary world — not just preparing to apply to one.
The premise
If you've spent any time looking at the bios of fellow teen writers out there publishing and sharing their work with the world, you've likely wondered how they've gotten where they are. They clearly have mastered submission — but they've also likely incorporated editing, revising, and lit mag reading into their daily experience. Perhaps they even have a writing workshop or mentor they frequent with questions about craft and writing life. They have the industry awareness they need to pursue opportunities befitting their polished work.
Most teen writing programs are built around producing strong writing for subsequent writing contest and publication submission cycles. Beyond simply encouraging more intentional, craft-informed decision making during the poetic process, the Ellipsis Summer Poetry Studio is built around producing literary citizens: writers who understand not only how to break a poetic line or tackle ekphrasis, but also how to get involved with the world they're trying to enter.
Ultimately, it's our hope that all SPS students will emerge from August with both a body of new work and a foundation of literary citizenship befitting poetic community.
What you'll explore
An asynchronous exploration of four interlocking areas of focus centered on the path aspiring teen poets take to maturing as poets and members of the global literary community.
01
We'll begin with an establishment of craft-focused poetic generation that will ultimately act as an undercurrent for our month-long journey. Even as we venture into weeks with other focuses, you'll be tasked with composing three new poems per week.
02
Beyond simply maximizing your production of new work over the summer, you'll advance your understanding of what you can actually do with your work once you write it. (Think literary journals, writing contests, and more!)
03
Next, we'll apply this expanded understanding of the literary ecosystem to touch on — and empower you to pursue — different methods of engagement with the literary world (including submission, staff reading, editing, and more!).
04
Finally, as our month-long journey comes to a close, we'll walk through what it takes to start a reading or workshop series, literary publication, or workshop — within your local community or around the world.
Who it's for
The Studio is built for high school poets who are already taking their work seriously and have begun to suspect that craft and community impact separate aspiring poets from emerging poets — that there's a deeper layer of literary participation and achievement that requires actualized .
Format & logistics
Each year, the Studio will run for the duration of August, with two new video lessons, reading assignments, and poetic writing prompts released weekly. Designed to fit alongside the rhythms of summer travel, internships, SAT/ACT prep, and — of course — rest, while still delivering the depth of serious engagement with poetry.
Format
Asynchronous
We'll equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to immerse yourself in poetic craft and generation, on your own schedule and terms.
Duration
Four weeks
Situating the Studio in August empowers students to build on knowledge gleaned from previous summer engagements, to kick production into overdrive before the school year begins.
Office Hours
Live with Peter
Optional weekly office hours enable students to submit direct questions about creative direction, poetic craft, and community engagement (on local or global levels).
First in line
We'll be launching the inaugural cohort in August 2027. This list is the first place we'll announce when applications open. Add your name and we'll be in touch.
Studio Updates
The Studio is designed for rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors — high school poets entering high-impact, formative years of engagement with the literary world. Drop your details below and we'll notify you the moment applications open.
Who's leading the studio
Founder, Ellipsis & The Adroit Journal
Founder & CEO · Creative Writing Instructor (Poetry) · College Advisor
Peter founded The Adroit Journal as a high school sophomore in November 2010 and has spent the years since reading, editing, mentoring, and recognizing teen poets — many of whom have gone on to gain recognition from the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the National Student Poets Program, the National YoungArts Foundation, the Davidson Fellowship, Princeton University, Bennington University, the Poetry Society of the United Kingdom, and many more. His poems have appeared in AGNI, the American Poetry Review, Best New Poets (5x), The Georgia Review, The Kenyon Review, and The New England Review, among others. He has spent more than a decade observing what separates the teen writers who break through from the ones who don't. The Summer Poetry Studio is the curriculum he wishes had existed when he was sixteen.
Read full bio →