by Dana Guthrie Martin, director and founder
I have always loved the power and possibility of online communications. Back in 1995, I remember proposing that my university’s literary journal be created and distributed in an online format as opposed to a print format. The faculty adviser for the project scoffed at the notion. “Who would want to read poetry on a computer,” he asked.
Look how far we have come since then. Even though some still scoff at online literary journals and magazines, or at least eye them with suspicion, it’s clear that they are rising in popularity — and that audiences are gravitating to work delivered through this medium. Apparently, a lot of people want to read poetry, and learn about it, online.
I founded Read Write Poem in 2007 because of my love for and belief in the capacity for online communications as a means to lessen or remove barriers to information and resources, including art. I also saw the power of online communications in removing geographic barriers by making information available for free — anytime, anywhere on the planet. The goal of Read Write Poem at launch was simple: to leverage the power of the internet in the creation of an interactive and collaborative virtual space for poets of all levels to learn about and share poetry.
The community’s mission has grown out of the same premise on which is was founded. Read Write Poem facilitates a vibrant online community that gives readers the tools they need to make poetry central to their daily lives, both in virtual and real-world environments. The community encourages readers and writers of poetry at all levels to be more engaged with a wide range of traditional and contemporary poetry, with other poets, and with members of their local, regional, national and international communities. Read Write Poem works in tandem with and also outside of traditional frameworks such as academic institutions, providing an alternative method for learning, teaching, sharing and discussing poetry.
The site has also grown since its inception with the addition of profiles, wires, groups and other interactive elements, as well as a fully fleshed-out online magazine with new content every weekday. And, of course, we still have the weekly writing prompts that keep members challenged and engaged.
In short, Read Write Poem has evolved to the point that it is nothing other than a remarkable place. We would not be here without the participation of our more than 1,000 members, or without the talent and hard work of our contributors, senior contributors, managers and directors.
Especially deserving of thanks is Deb Scott for her tenacious dedication to the project and all her efforts, including managing the site for a year and a half and serving as a community director for the past 9 months. Special thanks also to community director Nathan Moore, without whom the energy of the community would not be what it is, and to technology director Andre Tan, without whom the social media elements and overall design of the site would have been inferior, if not impossible.
Three years and 900 articles and news items, 1,000 members, 11,000 comments, and 770,000 page views since its founding, it is clear that Read Write Poem has made a difference in the lives of many poets and of those who love poetry. There is clearly a need — and a desire — for an open, free, accessible way for anyone and everyone who loves to read, write and share poetry to have the means to do so.
The community has reached a point where it no longer needs my daily direction. At the same time, needs and opportunities in my life require me to step out of the lead director role. I have the chance to study information science at the graduate level, and to learn even more ways that barriers to information access can be removed so that those around the world, whatever their area of interest of inquiry, will have the tools they need to learn, to discover and to grow.
Deb Scott will be taking over as the community’s lead director, and that change is effective immediately. I am thrilled that Deb is taking on the role of lead director on, and excited to see where the community moves in its next phase of development. I also thank those who have come forward to help Deb manage the site. She will be making more announcements soon about the team she is assembling, so stay tuned to learn more as the new management group unfolds.
I also regret to announce that Nathan Moore must step away from Read Write Poem at this time. He has worked tirelessly on the site and has provided some of our most valuable, interesting and innovative content. The entire community will miss his presence and his voice. He is an outstanding poet, and an outstanding human being.
Thank you all. Together, we have helped change the face of poetry. Let’s keep going.
Dana Guthrie Martin founded Read Write Poem in 2007 as an extension of her work as co-founder of the Poetry Thursday site. She writes poetry and prose, and lives in the Seattle area with her husband, her robot and her two hermit crabs.
