A concept album has historically been defined as a collection or cycle of songs expressing a particular theme or idea. From David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars to Beyoncé’s Lemonade, the form and function of concept albums echoes that of a poetry collection or story cycle. Now, it’s time to let them influence our writing.

In this 6-week generative workshop, we’ll explore the ties that exist between concept albums and literary projects as we work as a community to undermine what the world tells us art should be. We’ll examine form, language, plot, character, and narrative in these innovative musical works as we create our own projects, be they poems, stories, or even a concept album of your own! The 6-week class will also include optional take-home prompts and further music and literature recommendations each week, as well as the opportunity for short one-on-one “office hours” sessions with Carter at the end of the class. You’ll come away with a new understanding of craft, lots of new drafts, and –if nothing else –one killer playlist.

This class is for anyone who wants to inject new life into their writing through experiments and tangential explorations... and especially for anyone who feels like they’d love to learn some new stuff about music along the way.

6 weeks

Online

Sliding scale: $125

• One sponsored spot will be available - reach out to inquire about applying! BIPOC applicants will be prioritized for this spot.

• Click here for other Course FAQs, including info about payment plans and sliding scale

• Johnny Cash, Live at Fulsom Prison

• Kishi Bashi, Omoiyari

• Mark Ronson presents Rhymefest with Michael Jackson, Man In the Mirror

• Lou Reed & John Cale, Songs For Drella

• Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Navigator

• Anais Mitchell, Hadestown

• Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid

• G.L.O.S.S., Trans Day of Violence