MEET THE FOUNDER
“Hi! I’m Zena Edwards.
I’m a Poet and Founder of
Poets Built It.”
“It is my celebratory offering to Poets and Spoken Word Artists worldwide.”
Taking It Seriously 🧐
‘Poetizing’ is a serious business. Writing and performing poetry and spoken word is taxing to the mind, to your wallet, to your emotional and physical well being.
I created Poets Built It to unpack the complexity of feeling I had around being a ‘Poetpreneur’.
Poets Built It Online Community is an opportunity to be together in one place, be inspired, and look out on the world with the ‘clearest poetic lens’ possible. It is a space for joy in the craft of writing, reading and performing poetry and spoken word.
A Light History Of My “Poets Built It Why.”
1993, I had my first paid poetry gig with Apples and Snakes poetry organisation and now I am the lead artist, creative, strategic and programming director of Poets Built It Online Community. Thank you Apples and Snakes!
Image: Courtesy of Russell Thompson, Creator of Apples and Snakes Spoken Word Archive
Being Here
To get to this place, I had to deep dive into the craft of writing, immerse in a way I never thought I could. When earning a living became difficult I had to stay encouraged, to experiment with my practice as a poet, and have honest conversations - sometimes very difficult conversations - around the business of poetry.
My facilitation practice across all ages groups internationally taught informed me of the many varied and multifaceted needs of poets and spoken word artists - from hobbyist writers to seasoned academics.
What was evident and important was tracking the arc of the journey into longevity and sustainability… AND creating community moments where audiences and rooms full of participants, student and pupils were empowered by the poetic word.
“Poets Built It Online Community was born a long time ago.”
It’s inception was well received my Lisa Mead, the Artistic Director of Apples and Snake poetry organisation in a staff programming day in 2020.
So, it is with immense gratitude, I say to Apples and Snakes thank you for your continued support since December 2022 in bringing Poets Built It to manifestation.
There is so much to look forward to in 2025.
~ Zena ~
