Coming this April 1st (no foolin’), we really have something to celebrate – the release of two new Slam books – Take the Mic and Stage a Poetry Slam, both published by Naperville’s own Sourcebooks and penned by Chicago natives Marc Kelly Smith (So What!) and Joe Kraynak (Who Cares?). We began planning the books back in February of 2008 and have reworked and revised them to near perfection… as near as we can tell.
Take the Mic
Take the Mic is an essential guide for lifting your poetry from the page to the stage. In this book, Slampapi Marc Kelly Smith serves as your personal trainer and coach, showing you how to craft stage-worthy verse and deliver a poetry performance that shakes the rafters and sparks thunderous applause. In Take the Mic, you discover how to…
- Pen poetry that’s conducive to on-stage performance
- Overcome stage fright
- Practice powerful performance techniques
- Rehearse like a pro
- Shape a loose collection of poems into a killer set
- Connect with your audience – heart and soul
- Master the art of self-promotion
- Schedule your own slam poetry tour
- Transform your hobby into paying gigs
- Act professional to establish a solid reputation in the Slam community
Take the Mic is packed with practical exercises you can do alone or in class to hone your skills and transform your body, mind, voice, verse, and spirit into an engaging stage presence.
You’ll also find a brief history of slam, the rules and regulations that govern official slam competitions, and a list of PSI (Poetry Slam, Inc.) Certified Slams, so no matter where you are, you always have a place to Take the Mic!
Stage a Poetry Slam
Stage a Poetry Slam is a comprehensive guide for both budding and seasoned Slammasters – people in charge of organizing and promoting poetry slams and spoken word events. In this book, Marc Kelly Smith takes you back stage to reveal the techniques and strategies he’s picked up over his 20 years plus of developing world-class Slam shows. Stage a Poetry Slam leads you through the process of shaping your own Slam from vision to opening night, as you discover how to…
- Fashion a crystal clear vision that drives the development of your first show
- Plan a detailed itinerary for a Slam extravaganza
- Scope out a venue that fits your vision
- Choose the right stage type for maximum impact
- Deal with the technical stuff – lights, mics, props, & drops
- Recruit and organize emcees, volunteers, and other support
- Discover talented performance poets and spoken word artists
- Publicize and promote your show to attract an eager audience
- Stage special shows for corporate and community events
- Take ownership of your show, so it doesn’t get hijacked
- Negotiate fair compensation with club owners and other patrons of the arts
Stage a Poetry Slam is packed with practical, world-tested advice on how to craft a compelling spoken word poetry event and promote in such a way to pack the seats and leave a line out to the streets.
You’ll also find a brief history of slam, the rules and regulations that govern official slam competitions, and a list of PSI (Poetry Slam, Inc.) Certified Slams, so you always have a place to visit to pick up ideas and talk shop with other Slammasters!
Where to Order
Starting April 1, 2009, both books will be available for purchase at bookstores online and off, including the following:
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i am Zimbabwean and we have a culture of upcoming spoken word artists,i would like your help to set up,open mics. your help is greatly appreciated.
so i will be waiting for your correspondence.