National Poetry Month is lovingly called #NaPoMo by most poets. It’s when the poetry community gets the most love by colleges, schools, art institutions, and other writers.
It’s the celebration of poetry as something healing, enigmatic, all-encompassing, and omnipresent.
Here are 31 ways in which you can be a part of National Poetry Month this April!
1. Watch My YouTube Channel
You can find videos on poetry basics, tips, exercises, performances, vlogs, and artist interviews.
2. Read the U.S Poet Laureate
Tracy K. Smith is the current U.S Poet Laureate. You can also check out poet laureate’s from across the United States, as some states have their own laureate.
3. Support Poetry Podcasts
Podcasts are more popular than ever. Many poets and organizations have great conversations on poetry podcasts. My 3 go-to shows are:
4. Participate in a 30/30
Many poets take part in writing 30 poems in 30 days for National Poetry Month. You can write 30 poems in 30 days anytime you choose, but doing so during #napomo is kind of a tradition among poet-friends.
5. Buy Poetry Books Directly from the Source
Buy books from a press or bookstore specifically! If you buy a new book from Amazon, they take a very large cut, meaning less money for the poets and the publishers.
6. Check Out Poetry Books at Your Local Library
Libraries base the new books they obtain off of what books are checked out. If there is an interest in poetry books, they will order more.
7. Read 1 Poetry Book a Week
If you don’t feel much like writing, read. Then read some more. Reading helps you write. If you can read more than one then book a week, do so.
8. Support Literary Magazines/ Presses in Print and Online.
You can support them by reading their issues online and in print. Donating to their press or buying from them directly helps, too.
9. Share Your Favorite Poems on Social Media
Find your great poem online or in a book, take a picture or screenshot it, and post it online for others to enjoy. You can use the description to explain why you like the poem.
10. Watch Poetry Films and Documentaries
Hollywood is seeing the allure of poetry. Check out what’s available now here:
11. Create an Artist Book
Express yourself by making an actual object that contains your work. You can give it out to friends and family or sell them.
12. Attend a Poetry Reading
Another great way to support poetry communities is by being in attendance for readings.
13. Read a Poem at an Open Mic
Participating at open mics helps you feel that you are a part of the community. Reading your work out loud also shows you how well the audience understands your work.
14. Chip Away at Some Unfinished Work
National Poetry Month isn’t just about creating from scratch. #NaPoMo involves paying attention and appreciating all poetry facets. Even for the work that’s unfinished.
15. Have Some Poets That You Like? Follow Poets on Social Media
I protest that poets are people too! We like to know that our work is being received so please follow and drop us a line!
16. Write a Poem with Someone
Collaborative poems are fun! Rengas and Exquisite Corpse poems are collaborative go-to’s.
17. Get Organized!
Create a spreadsheet for events, submissions, and anything poetry related.
18. Create a Poetry Medley
Take pieces of your poems and combine them into a poem mashup to breathe new life into your work. You can also combine pieces of unfinished poems to try and create a finished product.
19. Subscribe to my Blog…
for more information, infographics, and poetry advice.
20. Create a Handbook
This is a notebook for any useful information. This could be notes from a workshop, a class, or my videos & blogs. This could also be statements and quotes from other poets that you’ve read, heard at a reading, or listened to in a podcast or video.
21. Submit Your Work to Presses
This is via e-submissions (submittable; email) or snail mail.
22. Write a Poem and Leave it Somewhere
In the wedge of a door, tacked on a corkboard, stapled on a telephone pole, under a bottle of ketchup, drawn into the sand, or anywhere else that isn’t obstructive. Just make sure it isn’t vandalism!
23. Become a Part of a Literary Community
You can create one with your artist friends or participate with a group until you prove yourself a responsible and dedicated member. No community of poets and artists in your area? You can also become a part of my Patreon community!
24. Sign Up for a Poetry Workshop in Your Area
Don’t have one?
25. Create a Poetry Workshop
You can put one together at your local library.
26. Vlog, Blog, Organize
Be a poetry advocate! Write or make videos about it and find out what your purpose is among the poetry community.
27. Work on a Poetry Project
The project could be as mundane as writing a short essay on a poet you admire or as complex as a docupoems project.
28. Write Poems Intentionally
Write with a theme in mind. Instead of writing whatever comes to you, focus on writing to a certain focus. This might create an arc when putting several poems together and you may have the beginnings of a book.
29. Create a Ritual
CA Conrad is a practitioner of ritualistic poetry. He calls them, “(soma)tic exercises.”
30. Combine Poetry with Another Artform This Month
This can be but not be limited to: poetry with singing; poetry with music; poetry and paintings; poetry and line drawings; poetry and photography.
31. Schedule Your Time to Write
Get yourself on a daily poetry routine. You can see my poetry routine here:
31 Ideas for #NaPoMo2019
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