Love Poems & Stories at the John C. Campbell Folk School

A Christmas or Valentine’s gift for yourself or a loved one?  

Come join me for this class over Valentine’s weekend, 2026. We will have fun (and maybe some digging deep into feelings you’ve wanted to express) in this supportive, non-competitive, and pretty special environment. 

“Love Songs & Poetry” Weekend Class, Feb. 13-15, 2026

Expressing love can be a joyful experience for the writer…and also a challenge. Come discover your voice: Humorous, romantic, matter-of-fact, or all three? Your instructor will provide her favorite poetry and prose samples, writing tips, prompts, inspiration, and time to write about your spouse, partner, grandchildren, other family members, pets, or fictional characters. Find encouragement, laughter, and a little magic–whether you’re already writing or itching to begin. All levels, all genres welcome.

Here’s the link to the Folk School for more info and to register.

Instructor, Karen Paul Holmes, is a freelance writer and poet with two published poetry books, No Such Thing as Distance (Terrapin Books) and Untying the Knot (Aldrich Press). Her poems have been featured on Garrison Keillor’s The Writer's Almanac and several podcasts, as well as in magazines, anthologies, and literary journals such as The Southern Poetry Anthology, Vol 5: Georgia, Poet Lore, Plume, Tar River Poetry, and Prairie Schooner. She had a long career in corporate America, including her last position as an award-winning marketing communications executive at a global financial services company. She has an MA from the University of Michigan, has lived in the south for many years, and has been an active volunteer for the North Carolina Writers’ Network. karenpaulholmes.com

Writing Class at the Folk School: May 30-June 1

Give Yourself the Gift of Time to Write

This is Karen Paul Holmes here to recommend a class I usually teach. This year, my schedule changed so I asked a fabulous person to take my place. She’s Andrea Jurjevic, who teaches at Georgia State and is an award-winning poet and writer… and a smart, fun, and kind person. Even if you’ve taken my class before, you’ll learn new things from Andrea. 

Be sure to ask the Folk School about discounts for local writers.

Here’s the class description: 

Do you already write or need a nudge to begin? Give yourself the time to practice in a setting conducive to creativity. Expect inspiration, encouragement, laughter, and a little magic. Gain editing and publishing tips from the instructor and learn from and support your classmates’ work – polished or unpolished. Return home motivated to write more and to pursue publication if that’s your goal. Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, blogging, journaling – all levels welcome. 

For Andrea’s full bio, more information about the class, and to register: 

https://folkschool.configio.com/pd/2927/your-write-time?st_t=2077&st_ti=2516&cid=2527&returncom=productlist&source=search