The Sluice Box: Striking Poetry Gold

THE SLUICE BOX

A Broken Spine Poetry Workshop with Alan Parry

Sunday 28 December | 14:00–17:00 GMT | Online via Zoom

In poetry, the gold’s rarely lying on the surface — you have to dig, sift, and wash away the silt until the gleam appears. The Sluice Box is three hours of pure poetic prospecting: you’ll mine raw material, pan for the most striking images, and forge your finest lines into something you can take away and develop long after the session ends.

Led by Alan Parry — poet, editor, indie publisher, and founder of The Broken Spine — this workshop is a high-energy, generative space where striking gold isn’t luck, it’s process. You’ll be guided through a sequence of imaginative prompts, close readings, and shaping exercises that nest together, each feeding the next, so you leave with a pan full of promising lines and at least one piece ready to polish.

This is more than a writing session — it’s a workshop that's part of a proven, evolving format with results that speak for themselves:

• 100% of poets said they felt supported and included.
• 100% rated the facilitation positively.
• 100% would recommend these workshops to others.
• 100% experienced growth in their writing.
• Every poet left with new tools they could apply immediately.

Here’s what past attendees say about Alan’s workshops:

“Permission to write fearlessly about things I’d never written about.” — Paul Short

“Three full hours enabled us to really delve into poetry and ideas… preparatory time and extended writing time complemented each other well.” — Philippa Ramsden

“Packed full of useful content and delivered in an inclusive, friendly, and practical way. A high-value toolbox.” — Debbie Ross

“The balance of theory, practical exercises and discussion was valuable—the 3 hours went very quickly.” — Chris Partridge

“A safe space where I felt able to share what I had written.” — Louise Longson

In three hours, you will:

• Unearth a large body of fresh poetic material through targeted, imaginative prompts.
• Practise spotting “gold” in your own work and in published poems.
• Shape raw lines into short, potent forms before breaking them open again.
• Experiment with deepening imagery and surprising yourself in your writing.
• Share your work in a positive-only, inclusive space.

Whether you’re writing for the page or performance, The Sluice Box will leave you richer in images, ideas, and craft — and ready to keep mining your own voice.

Spaces are limited. Early bird tickets available now — secure your spot and start digging.