The Reverie Literary Salon
A six-week literary gathering for readers, writers, and curious minds.
Tuesdays, August 18–September 22
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Reverie Petit Café | Lake Bluff, Illinois
What is the Reverie Literary Salon?
A six-week literary gathering for readers, writers, and curious minds.
Join poet Elisa Karbin, PhD, former university professor and published author, for a six-week exploration of contemporary poetry, close reading, and creative practice.
Held in the garden at Reverie Petit Café, each one-hour session features:
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A brief seminar on a literary topic
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Discussion of selected readings
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A guided writing exercise
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One complimentary coffee beverage
Designed for participants of all experience levels, the salon offers an opportunity to engage deeply with literature, cultivate creativity, and enjoy thoughtful conversation in an intimate setting.
Tuesdays | August 18–September 22
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Reverie Petit Café | Lake Bluff, Illinois
Enrollment is intentionally limited to eight participants to preserve an intimate, discussion-based atmosphere.
REGISTRATION OPEN!
Peruse descriptions of all six sessions below. Click the course to register for one or all six sessions
 Week One: Image & Sensory DetailImage & Sensory Detail explores how poets transform ordinary experience into memorable writing through vivid imagery and the five senses. Together, we'll discuss poems by Li-Young Lee, Ross Gay, and Ada Limón before responding to a guided writing prompt inspired by close observation. |  Week Two: The Associative MindDiscover how poems move through association, juxtaposition, and imaginative leaps rather than straightforward narrative. Through discussion of contemporary poetry—including selections by Gertrude Stein—we'll explore unexpected connections before experimenting with associative writing of our own. |  Week Three: Repetition & ObsessionWhy do poets return again and again to certain images, phrases, and memories? This session examines repetition as a source of emotional power and creative discovery, culminating in a guided writing exercise that embraces recurrence and revision. |  Week Four: The Lyric "I"Who is speaking in a poem? Explore voice, persona, and the relationship between the poet and the speaker through close reading and discussion before experimenting with perspective in your own writing. |
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 Week Five: Time & MemoryMemory rarely unfolds in a straight line. Through poems that move fluidly across time, we'll consider how writers shape memory on the page and respond with a guided writing exercise rooted in recollection and reflection. |  Week Six: The Sublime & the GrotesqueBeauty and strangeness often exist side by side. This concluding session explores how poets use the sublime, the uncanny, and the grotesque to challenge expectations, expand imagination, and create unforgettable work. |  Complete Six-Week SeriesJoin poet and former university professor Elisa Karbin, PhD, for six weeks of contemporary poetry, close reading, conversation, and guided writing. Designed for readers, writers, and curious minds of all experience levels, the series offers an opportunity to deepen your engagement with literature while becoming part of a small, welcoming literary community. |
FAQ
Do I need to be a writer?
No. Readers, writers, and curious minds of all experience levels are welcome.
Do I need to attend all six sessions?
No. Each session stands on its own and may be attended individually or as part of the full series.
Will I have to share my writing?
No. Sharing is always optional.
What should I bring?
A notebook, journal, or device for writing.
What if I haven't read the packet?
You're still welcome. The readings enrich the experience but are not required.
Why are there only eight spots?
Enrollment is intentionally limited to encourage meaningful discussion and create a welcoming, intimate atmosphere.
What if a session sells out?
A waitlist will be maintained whenever possible.