Description
Welcome to Button University!
Sign up today for Steven Willis’ 2026 Multi-Week Workshop!
Author of A PECULIAR PEOPLE
(Me)taphor: The Device That Makes the Self
What if metaphor is not just a poetic device, but the foundation of how we understand who we are?
In (Me)taphor, we take a deep dive into the most famous and powerful tool in poetry. Participants will explore the history and origins of metaphor, tracing how it has shaped language, storytelling, and cultural expression across time. From ancient rhetoric to contemporary spoken word, we examine how metaphor moves beyond comparison and becomes a method for constructing identity. This workshop centers on a bold idea: metaphor is how we interrogate the self.
Writers will leave with:
A deeper understanding of the history and evolution of metaphor
Tools to craft layered, identity-driven poetry
New drafts rooted in metaphor as a framework for self-exploration
A sharpened awareness of how language shapes perception
Previous Courses by Steven Willis:
Self Manufacturing through (Me)taphor (w/Steven Willis)
“Comparison of two things not using like or as” is a terrible definition for the world’s most famous literary device. The Metaphor serves as the backbone for all creative writing. In this class with Steven Willis, students will discover the Metaphor as a tool not only for creative description but of self definition. How can the metaphor help us affirm, reclaim and revolutionize ourselves and our communities.
Have questions? Visit the Button Workshop FAQ page or contact support@buttonpoetry.com
About Steven Willis
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, storyteller Steven Antoine Willis uses his poetic and theatrical background to embark on the daunting task of creatively articulating African American culture. With art heavily influenced by urban life and religion, Steven… MORE