Queer "Krip Lit": Reading and Writing Illness and Disability Experience

Please note: The term “Krip” is one reclaimed by the Disability Justice Movement as a moniker of pride. However, participants need not identify with, or embrace, the term in order to join us.

In fact, some of our collective study will include discussion of power and potential harm related to language. 

People whose identities lie outside the bounds of normative gender and sexuality have written about their experiences – including their experiences of chronic illness and disability, and associated resilience – with verve and passion. This program will introduce participants to reading and writing poetry and creative nonfiction written by authors who identify as queer: queer krip lit.   

Poetry distills experience and knowledge, and therefore carries within it a potent means of metabolizing oppression. We will learn a variety of approaches to poetry craft, all of which can enrich multiple kinds of writing. And we will contribute to the collective act of articulating experiences of disability and chronic illness through the writing of our poems.  

Writers of creative nonfiction tell fact-based truths drawn from ideas and from personal experiences. In this program, these are experiences of illness, disability, and/or Deaf culture primarily as lived by queer folks, and also experiences of caregiving or witnessing these very human conditions. Writers of creative nonfiction employ a wide variety of formats; we will focus on crafting brief (250 word) narrative works, with the option to create longer pieces (up to 750 words) for program members experienced in creative writing.  

Most of our 'in-class' work will be configured as discussion, short lectures, informal small group collaborations, and reflection on our experiences of thinking and learning. 

Program members will work asynchronously (individually) before class sessions to complete readings and assignments posted on Canvas. This work will prepare us for twice-weekly synchronous (live) meetings conducted remotely over Zoom (roughly 7-8 hours of work together each week). However, if students find themselves unable to participate due to technology, caregiving obligations, economic disruption, health risk, or illness, they can work with faculty to identify alternate options to earn related credit.    

An internet connection (ideally stable) and use of a device with word processing capability and a keyboard will be important for accessing readings and other program materials, and for completing assignments. A means for taking photos of your work, such as a phone camera, also will be useful for documenting your work, and for sharing it with others in the program.   

Program members will have opportunities to write both poetry and creative nonfiction, and to analyze and respond to the writing of others. Previous study in creative writing is not necessary . . . but willingness to write is required!  

Credit will be awarded in Creative Writing: Poetry; and Creative Writing: Nonfiction.