My First Poetry Collection is Finally Published! [ENGLISH VERSION]

I'm thrilled to share this news today! Those who know me well are aware that I've been writing for a long time, and it's taken me years to finally publish something. And that's an understatement!

Quick Flashback

I've been writing since I was a teenager, always passionate about the arts in general... from cinema to literature. I did a lot of theater too. But it wasn't until the end of 2010 that I discovered my first slam poetry stage. It was at the café just downstairs from my place. At that time, I lived on Rue de Belleville (in the 20th arrondissement of Paris), a few doors down from where Édith Piaf was born. With the history of the commune's children at my feet and a view of Place Fréhel from my window, and further away, the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night, it was poetry in itself!

But discovering slam poetry was a game-changer for me! It was the free space for expression that I had been looking for, where I could share a bit of my world, my poetry, and also discover talented artists, both known and hidden. So, I quickly tied it to my passions for writing and performance.

I started by exploring the Parisian slam stages, navigating the little turf wars—like in any scene! I was mostly amazed by the energy of the movement and inspired by numerous texts and stage performances that made me want to express myself too. Being naturally very creative, I quickly started writing texts to perform in 3 minutes and will always remember my first slam stage. I also loved taking photos and snapped away at slam stages, publishing hundreds of photos of one-day artists or seasoned performers. Gradually, I got involved in the life of my neighborhood (finally a big village where I lived for nearly six years) and in organizing cultural events and poetry workshops. Initially, this was as a volunteer alongside my work in humanitarian, associative, and cultural sectors.

Belleville

The Belleville neighborhood has always been a wonderful artistic hub in Paris, but in 2011, it became the venue for the first Parisian edition of the World Poetry Cup and the Grand Slam National, bringing together hundreds of poets of all ages and backgrounds, countries. It was a big event! And in 2012, when I decided to leave my job at an NGO to start my first company (consulting in the development of associative and cultural projects), I let myself be carried by the poetic and artistic flow. I found it was a wonderful field for creation, expression, and artistic collaborations. And that’s because the power of slam is monumental! It connects souls, imagination to creation, performance, and pushes us beyond ourselves to share an emotion, a story, information… and to improve ourselves from one stage to the next! LOL ! But yes, because performing is an art, a skill that is acquired—like almost everything— and it requires taking risks, stepping out of your comfort zone. And let's be honest, there are no stars in this scene, or we all are in slam! What is certain is that writing is a process, and a few keys are enough to tickle the imagination and fill a notebook, along with practice to perform a text on stage.

I had the chance to host my monthly stage "Le Slam à Femmes by WonderJenn" and workshops for nearly four years, with school children, prison inmates, social centers, sick children at Necker Children’s Hospital, young people under judicial supervision… So many exchanges and collaborations that I cherish and that have resulted in wonderful creations and very enriching human exchanges. And what would we be without poetry, the ability to share an emotion, tell a story, inform, raise awareness, narrate the world or one’s own in all its splendor, torpor, in all its diversity? I remain amazed by the level of creativity of the people I have met and the resilience that writing brings as well.

If I share all this today is because it would never have occurred to me to publish a poetry collection if I had not lived this wonderful poetic adventure. I don't name anyone in particular, except Marc Smith who initiated Slam Poetry more than 20 years ago and who is now the grandfather of many poets, as the movement is widespread all around the world. In any case, I am truly grateful for the precious memories and past encounters. I have performed some of the texts in this collection on slam poetry and spoken word stages, or during championships or festivals.

A Very Special Edition

Yes a very special edition because it's my first publication but especially because I share realities, a bit of my professional experience in NGOs (developing programs for child protection, youth promotion, and women’s rights advocacy) and many encounters, life stories that have marked mine. This first collection is, in a way, the fruit of questioning, the testimony of earthly lives, the expression of my fertile imagination, where human nature and nature itself play a central role in my life.

A very special and symbolic edition also because by buying this collection, you participate in a solidarity action. The sales profits will be directly donated at the end of the year to a child protection organization such as ECPAT (a network to end the child sexual exploitation) and to a women’s rights association as well. And finally, a very special edition because I also connect the poetic aspect to photography, another of my passions. And my project "Under the Stars Our World" is another way to tell stories, to awaken curiosity and senses.

Anyway, I don't tell everything here! So, the best is to venture between my lines so click on the link and order your copy now !

In short, a very special edition (as you can tell! haha) and because you are special too! A beautiful, meaningful gift for yourself or to offer to your loved ones, linking poetry to solidarity.

Wishing you a wonderful poetic read and lots of good vibes!

A bientôt !

Jennifer

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