Things I Learned from my first big Public Event as Poet Laureate

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Inaugural Poet Laureate reading, yesterday. I’ve got some pics but they’re all from before the reading, because once it started, no one had time to mess around with the camera. Here are some things I learned:

–There are a ton of precocious smart kids in Redmond who are interested in technology and poetry.  It gives me hope for the future. Sample quote from a ten-year-old: “My friends and I get together to write poetry together after our regular classes, but I was wondering if there was a way to bring technology and poetry together?” Yes.

–You have to do way more PR than you think (we had posters, an article in the local paper, I posted about it on Facebook, twitter and blogs) but eventually people will find out about stuff. The audience that I was hoping to reach out to – people I didn’t know who were interested in poetry and the arts in Redmond – came. College students, young adults, parents with kids…they were all people I didn’t know who were very interested in poetry. Once again, it made me feel happy! The crowd actually cheered when I talked about removing the barrier between “technology and math people” and “Poetry people.” And asked for “Poetry for Geeks” t-shirts. Huh. Maybe I’ve started a trend?

–I was very thankful for my friends and loved ones who came and helped out with the event. There is no way an event like that can be successful without, say, a husband who helps sell books, a friend who pours drinks, etc. I’m a pretty good people-person, but after the reading I was overwhelmed just trying to talk to folks and sign books (I hope I was coherent!) so I was really grateful for the support.(Thanks especially to my husband Glenn and my friend Annette Spaulding-Convy, pictured below)

–I thought the combination of art and poetry went really well. People were interested in buying Michaela’s art and the SecondStory theater kept part of her art up as a several-week-long exhibition. We had an art show behind me on a big screen while I was reading, one sketch for each poem, and I think it helped keep people engaged. People specifically asked to be told about buying future books, and asked if they would have art in them! So that’s good! (Michaela and I pictured below – I’m only frowning because the sun was in my eyes, not because I wasn’t happy!)

–This event came at the end of a really stressful week for me, but those bad things didn’t ruin the reading. It’s good to remind ourselves that even though things might seem not that great leading up to event…the event will probably still be fine. Although now I would like to sleep for a week. It was a little like planning a wedding – with more of a performance aspect. So, I’m happy we did it, and happy it’s over, if you know what I mean.