Kickstarter

The gist

This Kickstarter will fund my summer poetry tour through the Pacific Northwest, Utah, and Colorado and also the release of my new book: The Gospel According to Matthew. 

Where's the money going?

Funds will be used to cover the cost of living during the tour, printing books, and throwing a killer kick-off show in Bellingham.  Sadly, there's not much money in a poetry tour, so it's essential that I have my own base of support.  Any money remaining will be used to help me resettle after the tour as I transition into my next series of projects as a teaching artist in the Bellingham community.

Why this matters to me

Foremost, I love to perform my poetry and it's my dream to be able to do this as much and as often as possible.

On a practical level, this tour will open up new performance and publishing opportunities and help to establish me as an artist capable of performing on a regional and national level.

At this point, all three of my books have been self-published efforts.  The Gospel is a stepping stone to a larger work for which I intend to find an established publisher.  I believe the poems in this book can distinguish me as a dynamic writer amongst the Pacific Northwest poetry scene and allow me to reach a much wider audience.

Why this matters for people who care about poetry

I consider myself a bridge figure between spoken word and literary poetry.  In my work I try to create a style that is easy to listen to and digest while also containing literary richness and depth.  I want my poetry to resonate with both poetry lovers and people who might not give a damn about poetry but who can still appreciate a good piece of art.

I believe poetry has a unique power that when delivered effectively can speak to all people.  My goal is to help people see themselves and the world in new ways and help them to more authentically connect with the creative spirit that is inside them.

Why this matters for people who care about people

For me poetry is a tool for enlivening and enriching individuals and communities.  The outcomes of this tour and book move me closer to a place where I can sustain myself as a performing and teaching artist.  My professional background is in food bank management, so I understand the importance of basic human services.  That said, I believe that helping people tap into their own imaginations is one of the most powerful things I can do to help them become agents of change and transformation within their communities and within themselves.