How to Slam

#1 - GO TO A SLAM! Watch and learn.

This isn't a requirement, but I HIGHLY recommend it. All too often, someone hears about this Poetry Slam thing and somehow only hears the word 'poetry'. They gather up a few things they wrote in high school and make their way to the venue. Don't do this! They come in, sign up, and proceed to sink further and further into their seats as they see a form of poetry they've never experienced before, being performed in a way they never knew possible. They get nervous and... well, you can guess.

#2 - Read the "rules" page.

Know the basics of how it all works: time limits, scoring, etc.

#3 - Write/bring appropriate poetry.

Officially there is no such thing as "Slam Poetry", but the judges didn't get that memo. If you're gonna Slam, bring Slam poetry - that means spoken word performance poetry. This ain't an open mic kid, people are judging you. And you aren't entertaining your parents. Slam is a sport, bring your best game.

#4 - Practice practice practice.

You DO NOT have to memorize your poems (this is called, performing "off book") though it does help your scores - a lot. But there is NOTHING worse than someone performing a poem they supposedly wrote, but they read it off the page (this is called, performing, "with pages/paper" or "on page") as though they had never seen it before. A Slam poem should be 'performed' not merely recited from the page.

*Note* it is better to perform a poem well while reading off the page than it is to fumble through a poorly memorized poem.

And please remember - you may THINK you have a poem memorized cuz you can do it flawlessly in your mirror, but it is a much different thing to do that poem on stage - in front of people - who are judging you. It might be best to bring the pages on stage with you, and only look at them if you need to.

Go to open mics - a lot. There is no better way to practice than getting in front of a live audience. You will know better which parts of your poem work, and which don't - best editing tool EVER! You will also get more used to being on stage, and therefore more confident and less nervous.

I HIGHLY recommend attending the regular open mic at the venue in which you will be Slamming. It helps to be more comfortabe on a particular stage than your competitors.

5 - Check your ego.

I don't care how good you THINK you are. I don't care how many folks at the open mics tell you that you're the most amazing poet they've ever seen. They haven't seen many, I promise. You aren't THAT good until you prove it. And that only happens by winning Slams. Bring an ego, and you will walk away humiliated and/or angry.

#6 - Show up

Come to the Artists' Quarter between 7 and 8 pm on the first Monday of any given month. When you approach the door person, inform them that you want to compete in the Slam. They will give you a small piece of paper. Write the name you want announced from stage on the paper. If your name is Bob Jones you can go onstage as Bob Jones, Bob, Bobby, Bolognafacemonkeybutt, it doesn't matter - but whatever you write - that is your name for the night.

#7 - Slam

Pay attention to the host, s/he will announce the order of competing poets. During competition, when the host calls your name. Go up on stage and do your best. Remember - don't introduce yourself or your poem or even give us the title. We don't care. Just read the poem and get off the stage.

#8 - Do it more than once.

This is a game and sport - NOT a serious critique on literary skill. Ask anyone who 'hates' Slam why they 'hate' Slam and you'll find out they competed (one time) and didn't even get close to making the last round, so they are bitter as hell. Remember #5 - you ain't that good yet. Get some experience and try again and again. You will get better and score higher.

#9 - Have fun.