Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (August 2015): Why I’m Writing 30 Poems in 30 Days, or, Poetry Needs You!
Dear Friends,
Tupelo Press, one of our very best independent presses, could use our help. Like many nonprofits, Tupelo depends upon donations to augment their programs, which vary from a Teen Writing Center to publishing literary works of emerging and established writers. To this end they’ve instituted innovative fundraising approaches to achieve their goals, including the 30/30 Project, one of their most exhilarating and interactive efforts – every month, approximately eight poets pledge to write 30 poems in 30 days, and raise funds by soliciting donations from sponsors (as many nonprofits do via sponsored walks, runs or rides). In August I am one of the participating poets.
I invite you to join me in this project and help out by reading, commenting, heckling, encouraging, insulting, cajoling, praising and yes, if circumstances allow, sponsoring me and donating funds (to Tupelo Press, not me). This might not be of much interest if the poems were simply going to languish in a file somewhere, but such is not the case. They will be posted online daily, warts and all, for the world to peruse. That’s right – you’ll see our daily work, unpolished and raw, finished or not, and if you listen closely you may hear a whimper or two oozing out from Austin.
Why am I doing this? I love poetry and admire small presses. Independent literary publishers produce 98% of the poetry published each year, and Tupelo Press is one of my favorite presses. If I, poet, reader and book buyer, don’t support their work, who will?
Previous participants have sweetened the pot by offering interesting incentives such as baked goods for certain levels of donations. Since I don’t bake in the August heat here in Texas, I’m offering other enticements (although you may consider a few of them half-baked). And of course the donations are tax deductible (at least to those who must pay U.S. taxes). Please consider donating any amount, but I’m offering these incentives at the specified donation levels:
Name That Poem! For a $10 donation in my honor, you can provide a title, and I’ll write the poem during the marathon. Be imaginative. Make the title as long or as interesting as you wish – consider this a dare! But this incentive is of course limited to only thirty titles, and reduces by one every day of the marathon, so reserve your slot soon!
A $25 donation will get you a signed copy of my chapbook, If Your Matter Could Reform.
For $35, I’ll produce and send you, in September, a unique, signed, mini-chapbook consisting of any six poems (your choice) I’ve posted on my blog.
For $50, I’ll provide one of my limited edition (only 50 copies were printed), letter press mini-broadsides of “Jingting Shan Hill.” It’s a beautiful piece designed and printed by Emily Hancock of St Brigid Press.
If none of these incentives appeals to you, but you’d still like to help, I’m open to suggestions, particularly for larger donations. But no, I won’t streak a convent for a mere $100. Been there, done that (hey, I was once young, dumb, thin and fast).
If you choose to sponsor me, please visit the 30/30 blog at: https://www.tupelopress.org/donate.php. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please inform me of your donation and provide your contact info via email at robertokaji at yahoo dot com or through Facebook so that I may acknowledge and send your premium.
If you’ve seen through this blog or other outlets enough of my writing to last your remaining days, you might consider a $129 subscription to Tupelo’s regular subscription series, which garners you ten books from one of the country’s top literary presses! If you choose this option, please specify “in honor of” and insert my name, “Robert Okaji” to show your support for my efforts. Click here to subscribe: https://www.tupelopress.org/books_subscribe.php.
For more information on the 30/30 Project, and to read the daily poems, see: https://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/ I plan on posting updates two to three times a week, but we’ll see what happens. Things are going to be hectic. No matter what, I look forward to reading your comments. Thanks very much!
What a terrific idea! Scary too, posting first draft poems. Good luck with this project. Lucky Tulpelo Press having you on board!
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Definitely scary! I think it’ll be fun, especially when I’m able to look back at the experience. 🙂
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Ooops! I see I spelled Tupelo Press wrong. Sorry!
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Ha! You are forgiven. 🙂
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Reblogged this on beckydeans and commented:
Another reblog here, but to support poetry. I wish I could commit to 30 poems in 30 days as well… Or people would donate to me! Please check out Robert Okaji’s work. It is awesome.
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Thanks for reblogging. I hope people will donate – all funds go to Tupelo!
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Will comment later…after I get over the image of your streaking nude through a convent!
Ohhhh the humanity!
Ron
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I was fifteen, and not overly bright. But I could run!
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Title of first 10-dollar poem: The Poet as Exhibitionist. 🙂 Nah, that sounds too academic! But seriously, I’m so excited for this fundraising endeavor, Bob. (though it is so much more…) If nothing else than to underscore that not only was poetry never dead, it never will be. I only recently discovered Tupelo Press, and had thought of mentioning them to you, but lo and behold in the last month you posted that you’d be doing this fundraising for them. Bravo for you; I hope they make oodles of money all month and beyond!
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At the very least, it will keep me on my toes! I hope to be challenged by a few titles, but truly don’t know what to expect.
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That’s very brave to request titles and have to come up with what could have been some other person’s vision.
In any case, I will have to think one up; currently doing budgeting to see what level we can do. I’ll have to say, though, you’re inspiring me to think about doing a 30/30 challenge, too, as much as it makes me feel like I’m on shifting sands (and I’ve never yet blogged for 30 days continuously). Can any old Josephine participate alongside? I’d direct any interested parties who read my post(s) back to yours and Tupelo’s, of course.
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I wanted friends to have the opportunity to participate, and the title option seemed fun (tho I may regret it later). Ha! The idea of producing a poem each day is rather unsettling, as I’m a slow writer. And of course you can participate alongside. Or you might consider signing up with Tupelo. And thanks, as always, for your support.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SOUNDS LIKE A WORTHY CAUSE–INVOLVEMENT WITH THE KIDS, ETC.– SO WHO DID YOU SAY NEEDS HECKLING?????
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Thanks for reblogging this, Jonathan. Much appreciated. I’m not certain that anyone NEEDS heckling, but that’s a matter of opinion. 🙂
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WELL….YOU DID MENTION IT…! Are we to heckle…plead with….those who might contribute or sponsor?
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Let your conscience be your guide. But that’s a good start! 🙂 And feel free to heckle me. I’m not very sensitive and enjoy a good, fun exchange.
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Reblogged this on Life in Rhymes / Vida em Versos and commented:
And here’s Okaji’s blog, another volunteer in our poetry marathon fundraiser!
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Thanks for reblogging, Flavia!
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Go, Bob, go! May the muse be with you.
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Thanks, Cate. The muse and more!
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Just sent off the $10 but I’m really stuck for a title! (Shows how good a poet I am – can’t even think of a title). How about ‘Stuck’? Or else ‘The Open Book on the Piano’ (which is what I’m looking at now). Or whatever you want, really, I know it’ll be good 🙂
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Wonderful, Curtis. Thanks very much. I think I’ll go with “Stuck.”
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Yes, I think it probably offers more possibilities – Iook forward to reading!
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Good luck Robert, I know I’d like to believe our best work is done in the molten foundry of words, to busy to think about good and bad, so I hope these 30 days cast up some gems from the deep that you didn’t even know was there.
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Thanks, Jamie. I think it’s going to be a productive month. The “name that poem” sponsorship option has certainly been fun, if challenging.
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such a noble cause….am gonna go and check it out now…
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The quality of work that my fellow participants has produced is simply stunning. Enjoy it!
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Reblogged this on Crazy Pasta Child.
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Thanks for reblogging!
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A worthy & admirable project, Mr. Okaji.
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And challenging and fun. A great experience.
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