Craig Brandis

Teaching Fellow at the Attic Institute

Craig Brandis’s debut collection of poems, Crying of Small Motors, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in 2024. His poems and reviews have been published in Oxford Magazine, Palette Poetry, Parhelion, Trampoline, American Journal of Poetry, Poetry Quarterly, The Cafe Review and elsewhere. He was a semifinalist for the 2022 Berkshire Prize for a first or second book. He serves on the board of Tupelo Press and was instrumental in helping them create their online writing program for high school students. He writes from Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Upcoming Classes

Beginning Your Poetry Practice Workshop w Craig Brandis | Jan 16 - Feb 20 | Zoom

Craft of Poetry Workshop: Voice and Vision w Craig Brandis | Feb 27 - Apr 3 | Zoom

The Attic Experience

"Elizabeth Rusch's Magazine Writing Workshop gave me the push I needed in order to pursue my dreams of freelance writing. Though confidant as a writer, I was clueless about querying, how to talk to an editor and the general etiquette of the writing world—all things essential to "making it." I am forever grateful for Liz's class, because when I finally gathered the nerve to send out the query that I composed over the course of the class, within 24 hours I received this response from the Pulitzer Prize winning publication: 'Krista: I love this story. It made me smile just reading your pitch...I want it.' I highly, highly recommend this class if you are serious about freelance writing."

Krista Houston

The Classic Book for Writers, Updated and Revised

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club

"Finally, an anti-bullsht book on creativity!"* — James Marcus, former editor of Harper's

"Does for the creative process what Strunk and White did for our approach to grammar and style. Indispensible." — Marjorie Sandor, National Jewish Book Award winner

"Buoyant...unorthodox...A provocative and anti-intuitive manual for making fresh art." — Kirkus Review

"Biespiel offers a number of best practices—not just for writing...but for living a creative life." — The Rumpus

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and languages as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable — even while acknowledging that poems, stories, and essays delve into uncomfortable subjects. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with complex identities. We understand that to know the world is to write the world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming diversity and open inquiry.