A group of poets from both the performance and education sectors are calling for the formation of a Poets’ Network, with the aim of establishing a body to advise on best practice and fair pay for professional writers.

The idea stemmed from a thread begun on Facebook, in which many poets who offer their services either by giving public readings, running writing workshops, or supplying work for commissions, were unhappy that they are often asked to provide content for free, sometimes to public bodies or arts festivals where there is sufficient funding to pay artists or contributors.

As a result of these conversations, the Poets Network has devised a survey, asking key questions about how poets see their role in the community and what their concerns are regarding fees and public perception.

In just two weeks, nearly 250 poets, spoken word artists and educators responded and many more replies are expected in the coming weeks, as the survey is shared within the sector.

Many of the writers who completed the survey are based outside of London, which illustrates the importance of social media in gathering the diverse group.

Two of the major poetry organisations, Apples and Snakes and The Poetry Society, have their bases in London and it is often felt that this affects on their ability to be perceived as representing poets nationally.

However, there is a general good will for working poets and spoken word artists to be able to connect with each other and share information.

The survey responses make for interesting reading. One writer commented: “Poetry is a job, like any other writing job. We have worth, like any other writer. We need paying. We do not live on fresh air.”

Another added: “The culture of not paying excludes artists from less privileged backgrounds from being heard.”

A third said: “I’ve been performing my poetry seriously since 2007 but have been running workshops since 2003.

“As a single mother with little support and money, doing gigs was virtually impossible. Fair payment would dissolve some of these barriers and make performance poetry a profession rather than a hobby for more people.”

Many poets responding to the survey said that they were happy to contribute their time and work for free to charities, to organisations that do not have funding and exist to nurture new writers and to support causes that broaden public perception of the art form.

Open-mic events — often held for free in venues which generously offer rent-free space — are an important part of the ecology of the scene for poets and spoken word artists. However, most agree that professionalisation would increase diversity and inclusion and would widen the scope of activities poets can offer.

The situation might be summed up best by this response: “Far too many festivals ask for poets for free. These are both large and respected festivals and smaller volunteer-led ones. Sorry, but if you want poets, please pay them or increase the funding you apply for to also give respect and payment to up and coming or less well-known poets, not just your blockbuster headliners! Too many of us are too generous and do too much for free. I completely understand small, local events/open mics with no budget or funding cannot always offer payment, but big ones or long-running ones should know better.”

The writers agree there must be a greater awareness of what poets and spoken word artists can offer. There is a call for poets to be more valued by funders, promoters, the media and society.

To this end, the growing network hopes to initiate discussions with public bodies such as Arts Council England and NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) to take their ideas forward.

For poets working in the sector who would be interested in joining the conversation, please contact Kate and Tamar at poetsnetwork@gmail.com and fill in the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/poetsnetwork

Well Versed is edited by Jody Porter – wveditor@gmail.com
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