Stage a Poetry Slam: Creating Performance Poetry Events—Insider Tips, Backstage Advice, and Lots of Examples

The ultimate—and only—guide for slammers, teachers, schools, bars, and coffee shops.

Over the past 25 years, poetry slams have evolved from cutting-edge to a regular entertainment option for thousands, with slams happening around the world every week. Performers who have been around the slam circuit and want to start their own “home show” can now learn how, with advice from Marc Smith, founder of Chicago’s world-famous Uptown Slam.

Marc shares his experiences from thousands of shows to get readers started, covering everything—finding a venue, lighting and sound, managing performers, even publicity! And when a show takes off, he explains how to join national competitions and Poetry Slam International.

Stage a Slam is filled with insider tips, backstage advice, and tons of examples of slam poems that wake an audience up and keep them coming back. Readers can also go online to the PoetrySpeaks.com community to listen to the samples, meet the poets, and discover new inspirations. It’s showtime!