Clifford Brooks

Instructor Biography

Poet, professor, founder of the Southern Collective Experience, Editor in Chief of The Blue Mountain Review and host of Dante’s Old South. Mr. Brooks has written four collections of poetry: The Draw of Broken Eyes & Whirling Metaphysics, Exiles of Eden, Athena Departs: Gospel of a Man Apart, and Old Gods. Learn more at www.cliffbrooks.com.

Instructor Statement

"If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing.” It’s a line from Peter Pan that’s stuck with me. I think writers do both – we sing and we fly. My drive is to teach both.

In writers there’s a duality of experience and ability to capture its energy on paper. A constant give and take over a successful writer’s career shifts between teacher and student. To adequately explain the human condition there’s demand to never grow complacent.

Over the last ten years I’ve learned how to hone my poetic voice, edit to the sinew, create effective social media marketing and theatric points for memorable readings. Through trial and error, I bring academia and practical application together for a class experience that stokes inspiration to pay bills through art.

A safe, diverse, inclusive space comes together with every sit down. The knowledge we’ll share builds a better tomorrow. My hope is to help you sing in flight.