I am a series of moods and sensations.

I am not a thing, a being, a substance. — Anaïs Nin

LUSH POETICA is a 4-week, self-paced, generative writing journey.

On October 15, 22, 29, & November 5, you’ll receive a packet of poems & prose along with writing prompts and ritualized writing practices to inspire you. There is no live component. The early-bird price of $75.00 runs until September 15 (the price becomes $100.00).

The invitation is to turn away from restraint and spareness, and cast our gaze upon the indulgent, the abundant, and the wild. We’ll embrace a saturation of language, image, and texture with a focus on tight, polished craft. For example, how do we add more without making a mess?

We’ll meditate on how “big and alive and noisy” poems—as the poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney once said—can free us in writing and in our lives.

We will build an architecture of roses and meaning. We are going to take up space.

🥀 You can expect (in the self-paced version):

• Weekly close readings of poems and excerpts of prose that embrace maximalism, lusciousness, and the emotionally feral

• Weekly prompts and exercises

• Guided written visualizations to deepen the sensory and emotional experience

• A journaling exercise that asks us to think about our craft as we think about our inner world

• A weekly musical playlist

• A group space on FB where you can share what you’re working on and talk about craft and inspirations with other members of LUSH POETICA.

This journey welcomes poets who want to push past minimal restraint and explore the craft mechanics of lush, charged prose and poetry. Bring a willingness to take risks. Bring frenzied language. Be willing to get uncomfortable in your process. Bring an appetite.

Regarding our group space on FB, you can expect me to check in regularly, facilitate conversation about poems + practices, and drop in some extra prompts from time to time. I will hold a supportive, engaged space for our writing together—but I will not be available for in-depth or constant feedback.

🥀 What you need

Come with a fever-dream and your writing devices. The community group will be hosted on Facebook.

🥀 Testimonials

“I've just finished Lisa's Summer workshop, Fever Fruit, and it fed my poetry soul so abundantly. Lisa is an excellent facilitator and teacher who somehow managed to get a whole bunch of poetry nutrients into each 90-minute Zoom. I was always left feeling excited about many things, with enough exploratory writing to take away to last me some time. I signed up for her Autumn workshop the minute I got the email about it.” — Z. Carter, workshop participant

“[Lisa Marie Basile] was amazing. She brought a different perspective to writing. Would love to do more classes with her. She created a safe and calm environment and enabled beautiful discussions.” — Jersey City Creative Arts Center Workshop Participant

“I just finished a four-class workshop with Lisa and can recommend working with her very highly! If you’re looking for a poetry jumpstart or some seasonal magic, definitely sign up!”— S. Caplan, workshop participant

“I'm currently taking a class with Lisa Marie Basile called "Fever Fruit," a generative poetry writing workshop where we draft poems about summer. Lisa is an excellent workshop host and poet.” — N. Hassall, workshop participant

“Lisa’s writing prompts were clearly crafted doorways into the themes, excursions, and the unconscious. The word ineffable was mentioned multiple times by our group during our week in Palermo. On reflection, that word best describes the experience. I could not recommend it more.” — N. Downey, Radici Siciliane Sicily writing retreat participant

🥀 About me

Lisa Marie Basile is an author, poet, and journalist based in Jersey City, NJ and NYC. She holds an MFA in writing from The New School. She is the founding editor of Luna Luna Magazine.

She is the author of a few books of poetry, including SAINT OF (White Stag Publishing, 2025), Nympholespy (Inside the Castle, 2019, finalist in the 2017 Tarpaulin Sky Book Awards), Apocryphal (Noctuary Press, 2014), and Andalucia (The Poetry Society of New York, 2012). She’s also written non-fiction, including Light Magic for Dark Times.

Lisa Marie is a recipient of the 2026 Individual Artist Fellowship by the Jersey City Arts & Culture Council. 

Her essays, interviews, poetry, and other works can be found in The New York Times, Catapult, Narratively, Tinderbox Poetry, Lover’s Eye Press, Sporklet (edited by Richard Siken), Best Small Fictions (selected by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Olen Butler), and Best American Experimental Writing 2020 (selected by Carmen Maria Machado and Joyelle McSweeney).

Lisa Marie has also led workshops or spoken at LaGuardia Community College, The Jersey City Public Library System, Manhattanville College, Emerson College, Pace University, The Moon Studio, The Author’s Guild, Stanza Books, Astrolushes, Radici Siciliane, Brooklyn Brainery, The Poetry Society of New York, and more.

Image credits: Pinterest, Richard Siken, Marosa di Giorgio, Clarice Lispector, Anne Carson, Joyelle McSweeney, Anaïs Nin. Main image by Jen Mazza via Pinterest.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

I understand that plans can change! This writing journey is created for a particular group, with weekly materials, community connection, plus my ongoing presence within the group space. So, I ask for a little advance notice if you need to cancel. 

14 or more days before the start date
You may receive a 100% refund, or you may choose to apply your full course fee toward a future workshop or writing journey.

Within 14 days of the start date
I am unable to offer a refund. However, you are always welcome to apply your full course fee toward a future workshop or writing journey of your choice.

If I need to cancel
If I cancel, you will receive a 100% refund or may transfer your registration to a rescheduled session.