If you are curious about what it’s like to take a workshop with Nancy,
please enjoy some reviews from previous attendees.

“Nancy’s generative ecopoetry class, Rewild the Line, was a transformative journey investigating the relationship between humanity and the environment. In just a few weeks, it deepened my connection to my local ecosystem and reinforced my sense of responsibility as a co-steward of the Earth. The thought-provoking poems we studied evoked powerful emotions like awe, joy, grief, and urgency, and demonstrated relevant ecopoetic and craft concepts. The class's nurturing atmosphere allowed for open discussion and creative expression, and I felt inspired and supported to write several new poems!”

—Shannon Cowell

“Nancy is extremely positive and supportive of all the poets at her table, no matter where they are in their poetic journeys, without letting anyone off the hook. The other participants have been hard-working writers, bringing their best to the group, giving intelligent critiques in the nicest way, and listening to others’ observations without resentment or defensiveness. The vibe is friendly, lots of laughter, with the kind of safety that fosters honest work. I find myself energized and feeling freer after every meeting.”

— RS Axworthy, author of Crabgrass World

“I'm grateful to have been in your workshop, it went WAY beyond my expectations. I don't think I'm done writing odes yet, but I'll miss the sessions. It was a terrific group of writers in that virtual space and I enjoyed listening to everyone's odes. Thank you Nancy Lynée Woo for your hard work and positive energy.”

— Daniel McGinn, author of The Moon, My Lover, My Mother & The Dog

“And you Nancy Lynée Woo - idk, you are putting out some special kind of energy into the world. You are passing on peace & meaning. So many people - so many artists - really need that fountain. I have never been in a workshop like yours. It was a whole other experience!”

— Kelly Hanwright, author of The Locust Years

“I REALLY enjoyed this class! It was a ton of fun!! Odes? Who knew? You did! Thanks for introducing me. You have added so much depth and substance to my life. There are not enough words to even come close to expressing how much gratitude I have for you Nancy. I probably would have lost my mind during this pandemic had you not come into my life last April. You are one of my personal angels. 100% for sure. Keep stepping into what you are doing. YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE FACILITATOR AND WRITER AND PERSON. You are an INCREDIBLE HUMAN. Talent for days. Ideas for days. You are all about stepping into BRAVE and you lead others to do it too.”

— Ann Van Wellman, founder of Long Beach Community Theater

“Nancy is a wonderful poet who has a unique gift of being able to share many of the subtleties of writing poetry. We so appreciate all she has taught us and the creative suggestions to give our poems more depth and beauty. We came away with poems we didn’t realize were inside of us.

More than that it is Nancy’s wonderfully encouraging attitude and loving acceptance for each of us wherever we might be in the process that makes this workshop so transformative. Working with Nancy was one of the most delightful experiences I have ever had, and not just in poetry. She touched our lives.”

— Pauli Dutton

“I participated in Nancy’s April generative poetry workshop. I wrote more in those four weeks than I have in the past few years. Nancy really helped unlock and spark my creativity. She provides excellent feedback and support in the workshop environment, and she does a fantastic job encouraging new writers. I highly recommend Nancy’s workshop, and I look forward to it each week. Her workshop brings much needed intimacy in this time of physical distancing.”

— Sarah B.

“Nancy leads by allowing her students to be the leaders, which gives them opportunities to grow and develop confidence. Unlike other workshop leaders who teach from the top down, imposing their agendas and/or conclusions, Nancy strategically pulls back, which forces her students (in a good way) to fill up space and contribute significantly to the conversation.

I remember being in her class and thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve seen these same students in other workshops, but in this workshop, they are being different. They are going deeper and speaking more intelligently.’ While other workshops focus more on improving a poem on the surface, Nancy focuses on going deeper, giving both time and space necessary to do this deep-diving work.”

— José Enrique Medina

“A born facilitator, Nancy Woo gives the gifts of clarity and direction. She is rich in poetic talent and insight, a fact that transmutes your poetry with her ability to see its intention and its function, then guide the poem towards its highest realization. More than this, she magnetizes a crowd of hyperintelligent, talented, and published poets, to the point that your peer critique is as poignant and revelatory as her own feedback. She is informed by years of experience and a profile of edgy success in the publishing world. If you want inspiration in your poetry, this workshop is your breakthrough.”

— Nicole Reese

“Nancy took what I consider my strengths in writing and helped me expand my comfort zone. Her activities helped to make the forms that we learned really fun to tackle as exercises. In the end, the villanelle became something I enjoyed writing. Her feedback and the way the group setting was run really helped to create positivity going into revision. This ended up allowing me to increase my awareness and appreciate of writing. I feel my skills were sharpened and increased. I would recommend one of her workshops to poets of any skill level or style.”

— Jonathan Martin Werner

“I highly recommend Nancy’s workshop because I’ve been in a writing slump. I found her workshop on Facebook, not knowing anything about her, and decided to show up and take a chance. I’m very happy that I did. She was very warm, welcoming, and inviting. She is a great facilitator. I was able to learn a new skill (writing and researching a poem). I felt at home with her and the rest of the participants. Thanks Nancy for helping me break that writer’s block. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

— Carole Leila Cramer

“Surprise the Line Poetry is a wonderful writing workshop that is delivered through a porous and generous lens. Nancy Lynée Woo is an empathetic and curious facilitator who truly believes that everyone is capable of creating fantastic art.”

— Michelle Suzanne Snyder, founder of DreamOut People’s Project

“Nancy is an excellent workshop facilitator. Her lessons are well crafted, her comments are thoughtful and will bring out the best in any writer at any skill level. She fosters healthy growth and a supportive atmosphere while also encouraging you to step out of your box. I cannot recommend her workshop enough!”

— Elmast Kozloyan, author of Doe-Eyed Venus

“I loved this workshop! Nancy cultivates a supportive and productive creative environment. I was happy and surprised by the poems I wrote in the workshop, and when I left I was glowing from what a great experience it was. I’ve been using the steps she taught us at home ever since, and it has helped me focus my poetry and write more effectively.”

— Kelly Heinlein

“I really like the Surprise the Line workshops. Nancy Lynée Woo was well prepared with an approach to help us get to the heart of what we are trying to do with a poem. Short focused exercises helped us dig deeper into our subject, without feeling a lot of pressure to ‘write to a prompt.’ Having attended so many workshops that were essentially long critique sessions of previously written work, I found this approach productive and refreshing.”

— Frank Kearns, author of Yearlings

“I've taken at least half a dozen different 4-week workshops with Nancy. I can confirm that she is an excellent workshop facilitator. She's particularly gifted at creating an atmosphere where poets feel safe to share their work, regardless of skill level, and confident that the feedback they receive will be uplifting and invaluable.

As a poet and performer Nancy is also stunningly gifted and well equipped to wow audiences and readers every step of the way. Nancy never lets you down!”

— Chris Campbell

“Nancy is an innovative and extremely giving teacher. I’ve taken several Surprise the Line workshops and each one has, I feel, improved my writing. Not only do I learn a lot from Ms. Woo, but I also gain immense knowledge from the other participants in craft as well as publishing. Her submissions workshop rocks! I look forward to taking more classes from Nancy, who happens to be an excellent poet as well as teacher.”

— Elaina Eller

“Nancy, you are a very special teacher in our lives! This workshop was a life changer! Thank you!”

— Donna Motta

“I have written poems with you, inspired by you, and accommodated by you since Last April. I didn't know that my last ode would be an anti-ode in which I used a naughty word. 😅 You are an inspiring teacher, Nancy.”

— Mushroom Montoya, author of Failed Redemption of Dirty Dog Dietrich

“I participated in Nancy Lynée Woo’s online poetry workshop and it was time spent well. It is a great environment to be creative and your creativity to be supported. The workshops not only helped me as a writer, but also in other areas of my creativity and personal life as well.”

— Silvia Augustinova