Welcome to the SoA Poetry and Spoken Word Group (PSWG) page, a professional community for poets and spoken word artists. We come together to discuss issues affecting poets and the spoken word community, offer advice and support, and raise the profile of poetry and performance.
PSWG is run by an elected committee and a professional secretary from the SoA, a joint position currently shared between Jo McCrum and Nadia Bonini. We welcome new and existing SoA members. Please email Jo McCrum if you would like to get involved and be added to our newsletter.
We run events to give members the opportunity to mingle and socialise and we hold an Annual General Meeting, during which the Chair presents the committee’s annual report to the members, followed by a panel on How to Make a Living as a Poet with experienced poets and spoken-word artists.
We also send out quarterly newsletters with info and opportunities in the world of poetry and spoken word, as well as news, advice and other related features. If you have something you would like to include in the PSWG newsletter, please contact Nadia Bonini.
Making a Living as a Poet
Throughout our first year (2016-17), we held a series of events at festivals across the country on the theme of making money while working in poetry. Conversations with many different poets have thrown up lots of useful advice and interesting anecdotes (you can read about individual events on our Noticeboard below), and we have also produced an introductory guide, covering the most common tips. Download it for free here.
Facebook and Twitter
We have specially created groups and lists for PSWG members on our social media channels. We’d love for PSWG members to join our members-only Facebook discussion group, to exchange ideas, offer advice to others and discuss topics affecting poets and the spoken word community. Join here.
In addition, we also have a private Twitter list for PSWG members on Twitter, where you can see poetry and spoken word related topics being discussed in real time with PSWG members. To be added onto the list, contact Nadia Bonini.
Remember, for any queries that require immediate or specialist advice, contact our advisors directly on info@societyofauthors.org, or call the office on 020 7373 6642.
Poetry and Spoken Word AGM
Our latest Annual General Meeting for the year 2018 took place on 31 January 2019 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The AGM was followed by the panel How To Make a Living as a Poet with Rachael Allen and Roy McFarlane, chaired by Tamar Yoseloff. Login to read the Chair's report.
The next 2019 AGM will be in January 2020.
Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter to be the first to hear about our events. Please contact Nadia Bonini to be added.