A practical home for spoken word poetry
Your words.
Out loud.
From the line in your notebook to the room that hears it. Find your way into writing, shaping and sharing a poem.
For young writers. For the people holding the room.
Start with what you know.
See where the words take you.
Independent by design.New to spoken word? Start here
The workshop route
A small step.
A little more voice.
Eleven practical stages, from a blank page to a poem said out loud. Begin at the beginning, or find the part you need today.
Find the detail. Follow the first line.
Hear the poem. Find the voice it needs.
A little room to write
One prompt.
Your next five minutes.
A notebook is enough. Pick a starting point, let the first line be imperfect, and keep your pen moving.
Why a small prompt worksWrite the 3 sounds your home makes when everybody else is asleep.
Take your time. There is nothing to submit.
A room starts with how we listen.For teachers, librarians & workshop leaders
Hold the room.
Let them find the words.
A good workshop gives each writer a way in, room to pass and a reason to come back. Find practical guidance for building the session and listening well.
Build your workshopBeyond the first poem
There is a whole world
on the other side of the page.
Make every line do something.
Imagery, rhythm, repetition and the choices a listener can hear.
The rootsA voice is never an island.
Explore the oral traditions, movements and rooms behind the form.
The stageFind a room for your words.
Open mics, slam nights and what happens when a poem meets an audience.
What comes nextLet the poem travel.
Submitting, publishing and sharing while keeping your words your own.
You do not need a perfect poem to begin.
Just a first line.