Everyone can write!
Live and on-demand virtual and in-person writing classes covering topics of poetry, nature writing, creative writing, and more.
We truly believe that everyone can write! All it takes is a little bit of guidance and support, and of course, passion for what you’re writing about.
Popular Live Courses
These are some of our most popular classes. Want to learn more? Visit our Live Classes page!
Mary Oliver Society
The class is meant to continue an evolving conversation of appreciation, topics, techniques and feedback of our Mary Oliver appreciation classes and poetry workshops.
Eco-Poetry: Following W.S. Merwin
This class is a conversation about W.S. Merwin’s work and the topics of ecology, eastern spirituality, and poetic technique.
Poetry of Wellbeing
This class is meant for beginners and anyone interested in various topics connected to contemporary wellbeing practices applied to the writing process.
Writing Mindfulness
This class is an introduction to the profound connections between writing and mindfulness, specifically poetry as meditation.
Partner with On the Yahara
We partner with many organizations around Madison and surrounding areas. Our partners include:
About OTY Founder Troy Hess
A Wisconsin native, Troy has enjoyed nature and the process of writing for as long as he can remember. His passion for writing led him to complete a minor in English from UW-La Crosse and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing & Poetry from Winona State University, as well as to teach college English for 10 years at Viterbo University and Western Wisconsin Technical College.
Three years ago Troy completed a fellowship in the Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership program at Edgewood College, Madison, where he focused on the connections between sustainability, eco-literacy, nature writing, and how to offer these as classes outside of standard academic institutions.
Nowadays you can find Troy volunteering as a Land Restoration Team Leader for the UW Arboretum, writing for CHEW Magazine, teaching OTY workshops at Olbrich Gardens or the Arboretum, or writing about his favorite books, recipes, and travel destinations.