April is National Poetry Writing Month
Unfold.
a 30 day writing challenge, in virtual community with @tristanjrichards
Unfold: 30 Poems in 30 Days
Each year, poets around the world attempt to write 30 poems in 30 days throughout the month of April. Have you tried it before? It can be exhausting and feel impossible and lonely.
Enter: Unfold.
Unfold is a daily virtual writing workshop led by Tristan Richards (me!). Each day in April, we’ll connect for two hours to read some themed poems, get our creative engines running, write a poem, and read our work to each other. You’ll meet lots of other writers; challenge yourself to try writing in new forms; and ideally, have a ton of fun along the way. You’ll have access to our community app, Heartbeat, where you can get to know other poets even better. Our month together will culminate in a public showcase of poems written in our community as a fundraiser supporting a cause we choose together.
Committing to a regular writing practice is hard. Community helps. Structure helps. Unfold can bring you both!
In April 2026, we'll meet at the following times:
Mondays: 5-7 pm PDT
Tuesdays: 5-7 pm PDT
Wednesdays: 5-7 pm PDT*
Thursdays: 7-9 pm PDT
Fridays: 1-3 pm PDT
Saturdays: 9-11 am PDT
Sundays: 5-7 pm PDT
*On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, we’ll meet from 9-11 am PDT instead.
-
A story unfolds, page by page, word by word. A blanket unfolds to comfort us. Other things that unfold: the thin paper of a morning newspaper. The outfit you laid out the night before. Your towel after a hot shower. The chair you carried to the beach. A map that’ll help you get to where you’re going. Your sore legs after a cramped airplane ride. A building collapsing to make room for something new. The instruction manual that you only kind of understand as you put together a new Ikea bookshelf. Money. Hands after prayer. Posters. Moving boxes. Have you ever heard a plant crinkle as it unfolds a new leaf before your eyes? Your life is unfolding in front of you. There’s a letter from a friend in your mailbox, waiting to be opened. When something is folded, we can’t see what’s inside yet. There is pressure in holding yourself together. A folded body does not take up space. Unfolding allows us to expand, to reveal ourselves, to see more clearly. It helps us see what’s waiting to be released.
I believe you can write 30 poems in 30 days, and I want to help you get there. It’s an honor to watch this workshop unfold each year.
The beauty of unfolding is in the expansion. An idea shows up small and grows. We start shaky and unsure until we’re confidently unfolding the paper where our new poems live. When paper is folded, it’s impossible to fully straighten out the creases. You carry your past and your progress with you, and there are poems in every wrinkle. They’re already in you. This workshop will help you pull them out and bring them to life.
-
Tristan Richards - Founder & Lead Facilitator
Ally Gall - Teaching Assistant
Melissa Mella - Teaching Assistant
Danielle Estelle Ramsay - Camp Unfold Logistics Coordinator
Street Team
Sam Bradshaw
Jordan Carlson
Jill Firns
Dane Harris
Emmi Kerr
Bri Staton
-
Here is a list of articles, interviews, podcasts, and more we've been featured in!
What are your plans for April's National Poetry Month? (March 2025, Jess Janz)
How Poetry Changed Me: Tristan Richards (March 2024, Third Place Poetry)
Burnout and Belonging: Being Present in Your Own Life (December 2023, Pause, Purpose, Possibility Podcast)
Workshop Structure
30 minutes: Check in, introduction to theme, & warm up
30 minutes: Read & discuss 3-5 poems
15 minutes: Writing time
45 minutes: Readback, announcements, & closing
Zoom links are emailed to participants (through Heartbeat) the day of the workshop. Each day will be a different Zoom link, so we recommend deleting the daily emails after you attend a workshop.
Previous Workshop Themes
Origin Stories
Location: Here
ALIENS!
Choose Your Own Adventure
Just Like a Dream
An Ode to Potato Magic
Right Place, Right Time
Letting the Details Lead the Way
The End of the World As We Know It
Guest Hosts
Every few days, a guest host will take over the workshop for the day! These facilitators have ranged from well known poets and professional teaching artists to meditation guides and pastors—and everything in between. Each guest host brings their own special touch to the Unfold community.
The Unfold membership gets you access to all guest hosted workshops (including recordings). Past guest hosts have included José Olivarez, Noor Hindi, Adam Clay, Sierra DeMulder, K. Iver, Guante (Kyle Tran Myhre), Jess Janz, Sabrina Benaim, and many more.
Interested in becoming a (paid) guest host?
Email tristanjrichards@gmail.com—I'd love to chat! Here is a brief overview of Unfold!
2026 Guest Hosts
Shivani Gupta
Sunday, April 5, 5-7 pm PDT
Emotions & Their Invitations
Caroline Harper New
Sunday, April 12, 5-7 pm PDT
Into the Void
Darius Simpson
Sunday, April 19, 5-7 pm PDT
Poetry Against Apocalypse
Christopher Diaz
Tuesday, April 21, 5-7 pm
All Play, No Pressure
Maria Giesbrecht
Friday, April 24, 1-3 pm PDT
The Subconscious Sight
Tiana Clark
Saturday, April 25, 9-11 am PDT
Imperatives for Survival
Kemi Alabi
Monday, April 27, 5-7 pm PDT
Serious Play
Pricing
Unfold Month Pass
Our most common plan, this membership gives you access to daily Zoom poetry writing workshops, six sessions hosted by some of your favorite widely known poets, Unfold member mail, and more.
$400 one time payment
-
30 live poetry writing workshops (Zoom links emailed to you each day)
Recordings from 6 guest hosted workshops
Lifetime access to all workshop materials
Accountability for your personal writing goals (especially if you're trying to write 30 poems for #NaPoWriMo)
Daily community with dozens of other writers—the most tender-hearted weirdos on the internet
Approximately 100 poetry writing prompts to get you out of your writing rut and trying new things
Exposure to nearly 100 new poems and poets
Unfold member mail at the beginning and end of your Unfold experience (stickers and more!)
Exclusive prizes for poets who hit 30 or more poems
Private Instagram group chat (opt-in)
Tons of support from your new personal cheerleader
Access to our Unfold community app, Heartbeat
Day Pass
Don’t have time to come to workshops often? No worries! You can also register for one workshop at a time, for $35 each. Please register 24 hours in advance to ensure you get the Zoom link.
$35 per session
-
Access to a single workshop of your choice (recording not available)
Poetry packet & writing prompts
A taste of the Unfold community without the commitment
Other Options
Scholarships & Payment Plans
We understand that our membership price won't be accessible for everyone and we still want you to write with us. Full and partial scholarships are available to those with financial need, as available. Early applicants are more likely to receive scholarships but we do our best to accommodate as many writers as possible.
You can also request a payment plan (full price or scholarship membership) on the same form!
Fund a Scholarship
Purchase this item to contribute to our Unfold scholarship fund. Each year, many poets cannot afford the full price of Unfold membership. We are committed to providing scholarship options for those who need them—Unfold is for all of us.
If your budget allows for some flexibility, your support can help us provide full and partial scholarships. Thank you!
Day Pass Bundles
Don’t have time to come to workshops often? No worries! You can also register for one workshop at a time, for $35 each. Please register 24 hours in advance to ensure you get the Zoom link.
$120 basic bundle
$175 premium bundle
Asynchronous Membership
Write along with us on your own time! Each day, you’ll receive a reading packet and list of prompts (plus recordings of all six guest workshops).
$200 one time payment
-
30 self-guided writing workshops (reading packets and writing prompts) emailed each day
Recordings of six guest workshops
Access to Unfold’s community app, Heartbeat, for draft sharing with the entire Unfold community
Unfold member mail & prizes for writing 30 poems
Invitation to read in our final showcase in May
Want to help us share Unfold with more writers? We love you for it! Here are a few other ways you can help!
Click here to request Unfold posters to hang in your local area (or print your own here)
Share any of our posts on the Unfold Instagram (@unfoldwriting) with this link: unfoldwriting.com
Email Tristan about doing an Instagram live (unfoldwriting@gmail.com)
Purchase our merch!
Wear your Unfold merch out and about! Put your sticker on your notebook or water bottle
Consider emailing friends, people you know from writing organizations or classes, or anyone else you think would enjoy Unfold
Promote Unfold on your podcast, radio show, newsletter, or at virtual or in person events
Other ideas? Email unfoldwriting@gmail.com
Help us spread the word!
Calendar
We'll meet every day in April 2026! Come when you can, skip when you can't. Either way, you'll receive a new packet of poems and prompts to write to each day.
Mondays: 5-7 pm PDT
Tuesdays: 5-7 pm PDT
Wednesdays: 5-7 pm PDT*
Thursdays: 7-9 pm PDT
Fridays: 1-3 pm PDT
Saturdays: 9-11 am PDT
Sundays: 5-7 pm PDT
*On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, we’ll meet from 9-11 am PDT instead.
All workshops are hosted in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT / GMT-7).
Over the years, members have affectionately given each week its own unofficial name:
Week 1: Welcome Week
Week 2: Work Week
Week 3: Weird Week (an Unfold favorite)
Week 4: Weep Week
Testimonials
“Unfold as an experience is bigger and deeper than you can imagine when you enter it. Tristan creates a space that is non judgmental, welcoming, and encouraging. All of these elements will unlock a deeper level to your writing - you'll come away from this as a whole new poet!”
- Annalise
“Tristan is a warm, authentic, and deeply skilled facilitator. I wouldn't have produced any of the work I did last April without the structure and support Unfold provided. The community she built is so genuine and invested, and the feedback I received (and continue to receive!) has helped me grow as both a writer and friend. I can't wait for next April!”
- Meggie
“Not sure how Unfold hits that sweet spot between craft & fuzzy so perfectly, but crafuzzy is the only way to describe what this month was. Tristan (and everyone participating) create an environment of safety, exploration and accountability, which we all know are impossible things to hold space for all at once (but they do). It was a lesson, literally and metaphorically in being in community with poets.”
- Shivani
“I came to Unfold kind of by accident — I think I expected something casual that I could passively take in. Tristan's work is anything but passive. The community she nurtures, the workshops she designs, the passionate support she provides all of us, are all so much better than a casual experience. Tristan doesn't do poetry halfway and you won't be able to either.”
- Priscilla
“The container, community, and consistency of Unfold was transformative for me. Tristan is the very best of workshop facilitators.”
- Angela
“Unfold is an inspiring, supportive, hilarious community of poets who will unlock creative potential you didn't know you had! Writing 30 poems in 30 days was not only easy in Unfold, it was an absolute pleasure. Tristan is a warm, wise, and accessible facilitator, and you'll be writing alongside the most talented, tender-hearted weirdos you've ever met. 100/10!”
- Lisa
“I had the best time in Unfold. The community is one of the kindest, most loving spaces I've been. Tristan is an amazing facilitator and I learned SO much about my own skills as a poet, and also about a TON of other poets while I was there. This is a great place for beginner poets, and more established writers...everyone will feel the love in this space!”
- Yoda
“Unfold helped me realize that I can reach my goals. Tristan is one of the best cheerleaders and teachers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I’m always looking forward to the next chance to be in community with her.”
- Emmi
“I was able to build a lot of momentum with my writing and confidence in my ability to be a poet!”
- Shug
“Tristan is a skilled cultivator of spaces where creativity can flourish. Through Tristan's work in creating and hosting Unfold, I was able to grow in my writing practice and connect with other artists. I was truly amazed by the abundance of information provided by Unfold and I am very grateful for the opportunities Tristan created for the community!”
- Gia
“Unfold quickly became my favorite part of the day. I made so many new friendships from it and the conversations and poems during read back blew me away.”
- Caeli
“Every single one of Tristan’s workshops is led by her lovingly guiding heart. She creates spaces that are full of possibilities and acceptance and most of all, fun to be in!!”
- Ellora
Frequently Asked Questions
Have any other questions you think would be helpful to add here? Email me (unfoldwriting@gmail.com) or DM me on Instagram (@unfoldwriting)!
-
Hi! I'm Tristan! Here's my formal bio:
Tristan Richards (she/her) is a poet, educator, 4w3 so, ENFP, gemini sun/cancer moon/virgo rising, and equal parts sarcastic and sappy. She also makes a solid playlist.
Tristan is the author of two self-published chapbooks: Not All Challenges Are For Us (2022) and The Year Was Done Right (2019). Her poems have been published in ALOCASIA, Writers Resist, trampset, Preposition: The Undercurrent Anthology, on the Mankato Poetry Walk & Ride, and in Firethorne. She is the recipient of a Professional Mid-Career Artist Grant from the Minnesota Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council.
Each April, Tristan facilitates Unfold, a daily poetry writing workshop for National Poetry Writing Month. You can find her newsletter here.
Tristan holds an MA in Leadership in Student Affairs from the University of St. Thomas and a BA in Communication Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College. She worked in higher education until 2022.
-
Every April, people who are fully losing their minds (we mean poets) attempt to write 30 poems in 30 days! More info here.
-
Come if you’re looking for community and accountability around writing. Come if you’ve never written a poem or if you’ve published multiple books. Definitely especially come if you’re attempting to write 30 poems in 30 days.
-
Two thoughts:
1. You're not required to write a single poem if you don't want to or can't. You're welcome to just come for the community or to write a poem or two.
2. We believe you can do it. This workshop series is intentionally designed to help folks get to 30 (or more!) poems. Some workshops will help you write multiple drafts so you can increase your count quickly.
-
You can write whatever you like! Most of what we read together will come from poetry, but not all of it. The writing in this workshop tends to skew toward poetry (it is, after all, National Poetry Writing Month), but you’re welcome to write or create in whatever genre works for you.
-
Nope! Most people do, but we promise not to make you feel weird if you choose not to. Engage at your own comfort level
-
This is a live/synchronous poetry community, so workshops will not be recorded. Being there is part of the magic! Workshops are all on separate topics, so you won't be missing crucial information if you have to miss a few sessions.
However, our first session, 6 guest workshops, last session, and showcase are all recorded. You will also receive a packet of poems to read and a writing prompt each day, whether or not you attend the live session.
-
Nope! Some people do, and some people come once. Most attend frequently but not every day. You are free to come and go based on your personal schedule and what works for you. If you’re committing to the membership (and/or trying to write 30 poems in 30 days), we recommend stretching yourself a bit and coming as often as you can.
-
At the end of March 2022, I posted an Instagram story asking if anyone wanted to be #NaPoWriMo accountabilibuddies. At first, I was just looking for someone to text drafts back and forth with. Previously, I had failed to write 30 poems in 30 days almost as many times as I had tried. I always hit a wall 5-10 days in and got so behind that I gave up.
A ton of people responded to my story and I started thinking, “What if…?” On a whim, I decided to post a Zoom link every day in April.
The first day, 4 of my friends showed up. I was wildly nervous and I thought, “Well that was cool, maybe this’ll last a few days before it fizzles out.” Then people kept showing up. Then 6 people offered to co-host a workshop. Then more people found us. Then I planned a workshop every single day for 30 days straight. Then we did a reading! There was never a day that no one showed up.
In April, I spent all of my free time reading poetry, looking for poems that spoke to each other, thinking about questions I could ask that would pull poems out of the 26 people who showed up. I got better at facilitating, leading discussion, creating prompts, and showing up to writing every day and exercising the muscle. I wrote 38 poems, and our group collectively wrote about 200 poems! This community held each other with such care. It really felt like we did something. I immediately started planning for the next year, and here we are!
In 2023, members of our community wrote 1,504 poems through Unfold. WOW.