Anyone who knows me knows I am all about community. We spend so much time alone working on projects that most of us crave the opportunity for connection. So last night, when the kids finally fell asleep, I popped onto Twitter to see what happening in my stream. Lo and behold, it was time for the Poet Party!
Every month, the Poet Party takes place on Sundays at 9 p.m. (ET). For one hour, poets have the opportunity to connect with fellow poets—in real time—about any topic. Collin Kelley moderates (hashtag #poetparty) and keep the conversation moving. The most active topic last night was which contests and lit mags were open for submissions. It was the first time I had been to the party in months (possibly a year?). But it was great fun connecting with my poet friends across the country and hearing about their latest projects. For some reason I thought the Poet Party had been around for just a year. Turns out, the party has been going on for four years!
Long ago, when blogs were the place to be—so we’re going back to about 2010—much of my community was virtual. My first book, Underlife, had just been published. But I was going through a divorce, starting to raise two young children as a single parent, and feeling burnt out at my job with a daily two-hour, roundtrip commute. By then I was a member of my local writers group, but there was no guarantee I would continue to go now that child care would be an issue. All this to say the virtual world allowed me to connect to poets and writers at a time when I needed it the most.
Also at this time, I started playing around Twitter. It took me about two months to get the hang of it. Honestly, I thought Twitter was pointless. However, I stuck with it long enough to have an Aha moment, and then it all made sense. I could connect with the people, news, organizations, and events that truly interested me.
Founded in 2010 by Deborah Ager, the Poet Party began to take off. By the October party, the online event was an overwhelming success. That first Poet Party included D.A. Powell, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Susan Rich, Oliver de la Paz, Kelli Russell Agodon, Deborah Ager, and me, among others. The tweets came fast and furious. You can read Collin’s post about it here. In the early days the party was weekly, and there were a few times, I believe, #poetparty trended on Twitter and Yahoo. I mean, when does poetry ever trend ANYWHERE?
Fast forward to last night. I entered the Poet Party on the whim, and found out that roughly four years ago the first Poet Party took place. (Where has the time gone?) Like me, Kelli Russell Agodon had dropped in unexpectedly. But I was reminded how cool it is to hang out with like-minded people—the people with whom I started my (virtual) writing career.
Roughly 20-30 people commented, but more people lurk (that's my gut feeling). And while some of the poet partiers come and go, the purpose remains the same: we're all trying to figure out how to shine a light on our art. Knowing this gives me great comfort. More than comfort, it's a reason to celebrate because— "poeting" is hard!
Here are a few tweets from last night's Poet Party.
If you have suggestions for contests or lit mags open for subs, post a link. #poetparty
— Collin Kelley (@CollinKelley) October 6, 2014
Hey poets, join in. #poetparty happening right now for the next hour. Follow the #poetparty hashtag. #binders #binder
— Kelli Russell Agodon (@kelliagodon) October 6, 2014
@kelliagodon @CollinKelley Was going to ask the same. Hoping to hear about everyone's newest projects. #poetparty
— Donna Vorreyer (@djvorreyer) October 6, 2014
#poetparty Anyone interested in a class in Victoria, BC I'm a poet and teacher and co-conspirator with @kelliagodon
— Susan Rich (@susanrichpoet) October 6, 2014
When I hear #poetparty, I picture a room full of geniuses saying nothing but feeling all the feelings in the universe.
— Julia Green (@juliafgreen) October 6, 2014
@januaryoneil The first #poetparty was Oct. 24, 2010. So this is our fourth anniversary tonight since we're monthly now.
— Collin Kelley (@CollinKelley) October 6, 2014
Collin was one of the first to keep a comprehensive list of poets on Twitter. (Collin, it may be time to update the list!) If you’re on Twitter, please connect with me (@januaryoneil) and the rest of these dynamic, talented poets doing their thang in all corners of the Twitterverse and beyond. I should mention that these party poets are as community-centric as I am. They host events; start, edit, and manage journals; and support fellow poets in more ways than I can describe here. They are the doers in your community, and you should get to know them.
The next Poet Party happens November 2 at 9 p.m. EST. You can read last night’s tweets by searching Twitter at #poetparty.
(What innovative ways do you foster community? Tell me in the comments section.)
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