WRITING IS FOR THE BIRDS: A WORKSHOP INSPIRED BY OUR AVIAN FRIENDS with Ashley Harris
WEBINAR DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
WEBINAR TIME: 2pm - 4pm ET
DURATION: 2 Hours
LOCATION: Live webinar via Zoom
FEEDBACK: The last 15 minutes of the lecture will be open to Q&A. Students can also send questions ahead of time, to be addressed during the lecture.
SPECIAL OPTION: Receive a personal critique from the instructor of 3 double-spaced pages of your work within two weeks of the class for an extra fee. This includes at least one submission recommendation.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Did you know that cardinals symbolize fidelity and that their appearance may represent a visit from a lost loved one? Did you know the wood thrush has a Y-shaped voice box, allowing the last two notes of its song to fork off and harmonize? It’s no wonder that our avian friends find their way into the work of so many writers, from John Keats to Jane Kenyon to Amy Tan. In this special workshop, we’ll uncover the many ways that birds can elevate both poetry and prose through sounds, sights and themes.
This live Zoom webinar starts and ends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Time: 11 AM - 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET
The webinar can be viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer (both Mac and PC).
The instructor will record the class and have it available for anyone who would prefer to view the class at a different time and date.
Format
This course is offered via Zoom webinar. Webinars are workshops given online, where you can view the instructor and websites/materials she shares on her screen, making it an interactive experience. Webinars make learning from your home or office convenient.
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I have taken multiple classes with Ashley and have also worked with her one-on-one. She is a generous teacher, a thoughtful editor, and heck of a lot of fun to be around. As an often-published writer herself, she has a knack for knowing what readers want. And as a "submission queen," she was my first call as I finished my MFA and sought homes for my essays. Thanks Ashley! ~ Cathia Friou
This is a giant candy-coated “Thank You” for your lovely and generous critique of my story “The Wanderer” in the Summer 2024 WOW! Women On Writing contest. My story was selected as a finalist (in a huge field of finalists). Your kind words and comments were a true prize to me! Again, thank you for giving me a real boost and inspiration to keep on scribbling. ~ Anna “A.K.” McCutcheon
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful critique of my short story, “I Dropped the Turkey.” As you suggested, I gave more of a backstory for Blina and her family and filled in the history of Joe Montero. I always appreciate your spot-on input. ~ Susan Strauss
Ashley is an amazing teacher and editor! I’ve workshopped my creative nonfiction, fiction, and lyric prose with Ashley over the years and her advice is always spot on and chock-full of encouragement. She is one of the most positive and inspiring people I know! Her market recommendations are gold, and I’ve landed quite a few publications from her suggestions. If you’re looking for a true partner who wants the best for your work, I highly recommend working with Ashley Harris. ~ Angela Mackintosh
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CLASS AT A GLANCE:
Writing is for the Birds: A Workshop Inspired by Our Avian Friends
Duration: 120 minutes
In two hours, an encouraging and nature-driven teacher will share excerpts from works featuring birds that will inspire you immediately. She’ll cover the many ways that birds can elevate our writing, from senses to symbolism, along with writing prompts to generate your own pieces. She’ll also offer tips on how the appearance and sounds of birds can magically help resolve our poems and prose. For an extra fee, you can have your work critiqued by the instructor and receive a targeted submission recommendation within two weeks of the class.
Topics covered include:
- Overview of bird symbolism in history and folklore
- How birds can inspire a theme no matter what you’re working on
- Birdsong – listening and imagining what birds are saying (and telling us!)
- Excerpts from published “feathery” pieces to inspire you
- Three prompts to generate poetry and prose on your own
- A discussion of ways to let birds and their voices help conclude your work
- Overview of outlets to publish your work
- Recommended books featuring writing about birds to continue to inspire you
- Q & A
Materials Needed: A pen or pencil, a writing pad, and your imagination.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Ashley Harris is a poet and teacher whose first poetry collection, Waiting for the Wood Thrush, described by acclaimed poet Ruth Moose as “witty, wise and overflowing with life and color” debuted in 2019 (Finishing Line Press). Bluebirds inspired her poem “A Widow on Chester Street,” which won the Mary Ruffin Poole Heritage Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society, and she has written on nature for publications such as North Carolina Wildlife, N.C. Literary Review, Carve, and The Naugatuck River Review, among many others. Since 2021, she’s served as a critique editor and judge for WOW’s quarterly fiction and nonfiction contests, and her favorite hobby, by far, is helping other writers achieve their publication dreams.
BUY NOW: Writing is for the Birds with Ashley Harris (Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 2pm - 4pm ET) Limit: 20 students. Early registration is recommended.
COST: $45, which includes one two-hour webinar with a 15-minute Q&A with your instructor.
OPTIONAL CRITIQUE ADD-ON: A personal critique from the instructor of 3
double-spaced pages of your essay for $55 ($100 total). Select from the drop-down menu.
This class is full. Please check out our current list of classes here.
Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name and email address will be submitted to your instructor. She will send you a welcome email with everything you need to know prior to class. Before class begins, we will email you a Zoom link. Happy writing!
Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com
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