How to Start a Successful Weekly Poetry Read for Poets and Music

Are you a poet or someone who loves poetry? Poetry reads are a great contribution to the literary community, but someone has to get them going. You can start your own successful poetry read.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Establish Interest ~ Find out how many people would be interested in attending and performing at a poetry read. This will help you select a venue and decide if you need any equipment. You can do this by placing a call for poets on Craigslist, posting a flyer at the local library and also a university English department, and checking with online writing groups. Ask for people to contact you by phone or email. This will be critical to successful planning.

2. Venue ~ Select a venue based on the number of interested people. You will not want to host your read in a place that is too small and uncomfortable. A site that is too large will give the illusion of disinterest and discourage the audience. Think coffee houses and liberal bars as they serve refreshments to make the even more pleasant. Also consider art galleries and small books stores as they have a built-in audience. Present potential venues with your research on potential interest. If one venue refuses, move on to the next.

3. Equipment ~ If you have discovered there is a great number of interested people, you may need to arrange for a sound system. This can be as simple as a microphone and amplifier. Ask your venue if they have this equipment. You may find you don't need to do any work.

4. Advertise ~ Post announcements online and in the real world. Online sites include Craigslist, MySpace, Facebook, writers' groups, forums, etc. Also post a flyer in libraries, book stores, coffee shops, school bulletin boards, etc. Call the local newspaper and ask them to announce your read in the local events section. Also, use the email responses from interested parties to create a mailing list to announce the event. You may wish to create a simple and free website giving the times and dates.

5. Invite Musicians ~ Invite musicians to perform in an open mic session before and after the read. Also, if your read offers a break (as it should), invite musicians to perform then too.

6. Network ~ Once your poetry read has started, work on building a network of writers and audience members. Email them upcoming events and news. Start a group for poets who attend the reads and work together to create publishing opportunities. Choose the best poets at your read and ask for permission to use their work in a promotional chapbook.

Tips & Warnings

• Network, Network, Network
• Have courage to do what everyone else wishes they had the courage to do.
• Look for venues that sell refreshments.
• Entertain! Bring on the musicians!
• Don't name your open mic after yourself.
• Don't think of it as YOUR poetry read... all participants are essential.

Resources

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[meacham01]

on 10/25/2008 I am a poet and find your article very interesting. I would like to do a read. I did one at a book signing and it came off great.
Robert

[luv2blog]

on 6/28/2008 A great way to meet other people!

[deepthinkin]

on 6/27/2008 I will pass this on to my son, he's the poet in the house. :)

[DUSTYMILLS]

on 6/27/2008 Another well thought out idea for drawing people togeather.

[vikki9]

on 6/26/2008 What a great idea! Sometimes local radio stations will offer public service announcements too. *****