One of my favorite things to do is offer up coaching and advice to poetry performers preparing work for the stage, especially with regard to poetry slam competitions. My experience in poetic competition is unique and storied. I thought – since I am on a “very long hiatus” from competing for titles and monetary gain – why not help others in their pursuits?”

I know that I cannot be in every town at once, and there is nothing like the benefits of one-on-one coaching of spoken word performance, so I am offering a simple avenue to my services via the internet. If you have Skype and are in need of performance advice and critique from someone like me (or me specifically,) than this might be for you.

As you can see in this PayPal drop-down menu I have broken it up into three groups (if you cannot see the form, go here: http://www.mikemcgee.net/spoken-workshop

Coaching Rates

One-Hour Personal Performance Poetry Coaching By Mike McGee $100.00 Half-Hour Personal Performance Poetry Coaching By Mike McGee $40.00 2-Drafts of Poetry Editing By Mike McGee $25.00

Email to send instructions?

One-Hour Personal Performance Poetry Coaching By Mike McGee $100.00
On Skype, I will watch, critique and guide up to two (2) poems (or one group poem.) We can discuss anything about poetry slam, competitive strategy and the performances in question. I may – and usually do – advise toward some written editing of the poems.

Can be scheduled as two 30-minute sessions. Scheduling dates based on availability between 8:00am and midnight, Pacific Time.

When ordered, I will contact you with instructions and questions about scheduling. I will also request an electronic text copy of the poem(s).

Half-Hour Personal Performance Poetry Coaching By Mike McGee $40.00
On Skype, I will watch, critique and guide one (1) poem (NO group poems.) We can discuss anything about poetry slam, competitive strategy and the performances in question. I may – and usually do – advise toward some written editing of the poems.

Can be scheduled as two 30-minute sessions. Scheduling dates based on availability between 8:00am and midnight, Pacific Time.

When ordered, I will contact you with instructions and questions about scheduling. I will also request an electronic text copy of the poem(s).

Two Drafts of Poetry Editing By Mike McGee
I will read, edit, advise any one (1) poem, especially written for the stage. I will offer two rounds of edits and recommendations by email. You send me your poem, I edit it and send it back. You make edits, and accept or reject my edits, and send it back to me. I do one more round of editing to the poem and return it to you. We can discuss the poem over email.

BE SURE TO:
…have a solid internet connection
…commit to the work you will do
…schedule your time wisely with no interruptions
…have a goal in mind with your work
…be honest with me about your results
…use our time wisely during the workshop period (we can catch up another time)
…take notes

Once the workshops have been completed, there will be no refunds.

Purchase of personal workshop expires when we do.

Any questions? Gmail me: ilikemike

I haven’t been a member of a national poetry slam team since 2004. Seems ages ago. I love most aspects of slam, but I really love the politics and strategy that build up around the events leading to NPS. Ekabhumi and I can chat on the phone for hours and hours on the enigma that becomes poetry slam’s social ramifications.

We’ve joyously discussed (not always agreeing on) every part of what it means to

1) prepare to get on a team
2) ready the whole team while maintaining individual identities
3) strategize in ways that benefits EVERYBODY as best as possible

Poetry slam is not my favorite game. Until the day it limits itself to a square board with letter tiles and word scores, it will only ever be my favorite human sport.

But I do thoroughly enjoy it. In my limited team and individual coaching experience, I have seen numerous positive results — statistically and socially — when performance poets actually listen to me.

In my opinion, NPS is the super bowl of poetry slam (not my words, but I agree), so I firmly stand by the notion that those coming to play the game should play to win, while maintaining a positive outlook on growth, character and art. It’s not easy.

I enjoy the coaching side of poetry slam very much, but I rarely have much time for it.

SUMMER RETREAT IDEAS
IDEA #1
By July, most poetry slam teams know who they’re up against in NPS bouts. By July, I know most of the poets in those bouts. A team makes their way to my house in July. They bring edibles for the whole weekend and we cook and discuss strategy and work on performance. I will book a Kitchen Session for that weekend and they will sign up to read.

It will be mostly conversation.

IDEA #2
Same as above, only I fly to them and spend the weekend in their city. No gigs, just working out kinks and offering ideas.

Either way, I don’t want to make money off of a team, but I don’t want to lose money either. Idea #1 would require team travel. Idea #2 would require a travel ticket for me in which I do not want to pay for.

Idea #2 is easier because I wouldn’t have to limit it to July. If your team is selected in April, and you want my help, that might be possible. I have such a nutty schedule as it is, it would help if I am already coming to your region to perform anyway.

I guess if you know I am coming, and have a team preparing for NPS, or a poet prepping for WoW or IWPS, gimme a holler. I may be down to help.

I love the game, but I love even more the game that happens off stage. It’s probably the most important strategy few poets ever consider before the big game.
———
Word to the nerd.

I haven’t been a member of a national poetry slam team since 2004. Seems ages ago. I love most aspects of slam, but I really love the politics and strategy that build up around the events leading to NPS. Ekabhumi and I can chat on the phone for hours and hours on the enigma that becomes poetry slam’s social ramifications.

We’ve joyously discussed (not always agreeing on) every part of what it means to

1) prepare to get on a team
2) ready the whole team while maintaining individual identities
3) strategize in ways that benefits EVERYBODY as best as possible

Poetry slam is not my favorite game. Until the day it limits itself to a square board with letter tiles and word scores, it will only ever be my favorite human sport.

But I do thoroughly enjoy it. In my limited team and individual coaching experience, I have seen numerous positive results — statistically and socially — when performance poets actually listen to me.

In my opinion, NPS is the super bowl of poetry slam (not my words, but I agree), so I firmly stand by the notion that those coming to play the game should play to win, while maintaining a positive outlook on growth, character and art. It’s not easy.

I enjoy the coaching side of poetry slam very much, but I rarely have much time for it.

SUMMER RETREAT IDEAS
IDEA #1
By July, most poetry slam teams know who they’re up against in NPS bouts. By July, I know most of the poets in those bouts. A team makes their way to my house in July. They bring edibles for the whole weekend and we cook and discuss strategy and work on performance. I will book a Kitchen Session for that weekend and they will sign up to read.

It will be mostly conversation.

IDEA #2
Same as above, only I fly to them and spend the weekend in their city. No gigs, just working out kinks and offering ideas.

Either way, I don’t want to make money off of a team, but I don’t want to lose money either. Idea #1 would require team travel. Idea #2 would require a travel ticket for me in which I do not want to pay for.

Idea #2 is easier because I wouldn’t have to limit it to July. If your team is selected in April, and you want my help, that might be possible. I have such a nutty schedule as it is, it would help if I am already coming to your region to perform anyway.

I guess if you know I am coming, and have a team preparing for NPS, or a poet prepping for WoW or IWPS, gimme a holler. I may be down to help.

I love the game, but I love even more the game that happens off stage. It’s probably the most important strategy few poets ever consider before the big game.
———
Word to the nerd.

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

My show last night was a great time. If you read my entry from yesterday, then you know my day didn’t start off as well as I would have liked. I was really bummed out until Darren picked me up. He drove down from Logan to get me, then brought me back, acquiring coffee along the way. Yeehaw! That’s 1.5 hours each way. Luckily the school was to reimburse him for his driving.

Our conversation began the moment I entered his vehicle and continued all the way to when I checked into the University Inn, room 521. Then he rushed off to a meeting. Darren Edwards is a kind man and very new to the performance poetry world. He did a 4-poem opener before me and I was impressed. His work, while very new, is obviously influenced by his 29 years on the planet and his time studying creative non-fiction at USU. He graduates this year. His performance style, while just beginning, is so fresh and unpolished. I really enjoyed watching him reach into himself and express his firm beliefs to the audience, which were all pretty much performance poetry virgins. We enjoyed Darren and they enjoyed my set.

I thought I needed to find my own ride to Logan, Utah from SLC, so I asked Jesse Parent if he knew any poets that might want to drive, so he introduced me to Darren via Facebook. He said Darren has been frequently driving down (from Logan and back!) to compete in the SLC slams and reading at the open mics just in the last year. He’s just getting better and better. He just missed out on accruing enough points to make the SLC slam final. I truly belive if Darren wishes to make the 2011 SLC National Team, he will undoubtedly do so.

MY FIRST PERFORMANCE EVER IN THE STATE OF UTAH
Last night was fantastic. Roughly 60 students all hanging out, listening to the McGee. A great way to introduce myself and my work to residents of Utah. The crowd made me feel so welcome and like I was doing my job well. I realize more and more now that it’s not the poetry that sells me, and not even the comedy per se, it’s more my personality. I am the product. People who know any of my work seem to come back to my live shows to hang out with new listeners and me on stage. I am always floored by people mouthing out lines and poems with me. Weird and humbling. I am so honored.

After the show, I went and ate some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had with 14 of the most beautiful Utans I could’ve met. Fantastic!

Good times had by all.
———
Word to the nerd.

My show last night was a great time. If you read my entry from yesterday, then you know my day didn’t start off as well as I would have liked. I was really bummed out until Darren picked me up. He drove down from Logan to get me, then brought me back, acquiring coffee along the way. Yeehaw! That’s 1.5 hours each way. Luckily the school was to reimburse him for his driving.

Our conversation began the moment I entered his vehicle and continued all the way to when I checked into the University Inn, room 521. Then he rushed off to a meeting. Darren Edwards is a kind man and very new to the performance poetry world. He did a 4-poem opener before me and I was impressed. His work, while very new, is obviously influenced by his 29 years on the planet and his time studying creative non-fiction at USU. He graduates this year. His performance style, while just beginning, is so fresh and unpolished. I really enjoyed watching him reach into himself and express his firm beliefs to the audience, which were all pretty much performance poetry virgins. We enjoyed Darren and they enjoyed my set.

I thought I needed to find my own ride to Logan, Utah from SLC, so I asked Jesse Parent if he knew any poets that might want to drive, so he introduced me to Darren via Facebook. He said Darren has been frequently driving down (from Logan and back!) to compete in the SLC slams and reading at the open mics just in the last year. He’s just getting better and better. He just missed out on accruing enough points to make the SLC slam final. I truly belive if Darren wishes to make the 2011 SLC National Team, he will undoubtedly do so.

MY FIRST PERFORMANCE EVER IN THE STATE OF UTAH
Last night was fantastic. Roughly 60 students all hanging out, listening to the McGee. A great way to introduce myself and my work to residents of Utah. The crowd made me feel so welcome and like I was doing my job well. I realize more and more now that it’s not the poetry that sells me, and not even the comedy per se, it’s more my personality. I am the product. People who know any of my work seem to come back to my live shows to hang out with new listeners and me on stage. I am always floored by people mouthing out lines and poems with me. Weird and humbling. I am so honored.

After the show, I went and ate some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had with 14 of the most beautiful Utans I could’ve met. Fantastic!

Good times had by all.
———
Word to the nerd.

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

I hear about shows like Jersey Shore and Cleaning Up After The Kardashitians and any other work of video art pummeled out of our satelites, and it makes me sad. I even watch Law & Order and am so depressed by the end of each episode. They’re feeding on our basest emotions without requiring much thought or self-resolution.

THE most important aspect of my discovery of spoken word culture has surely been the plethora of events to attend, participate and support, and all the bad television and loneliness I get to avoid.

Granted, I enjoy the occassional vegg-out session of bad TV, but it rarely overshadows the joy and inspiration I get out of most spoken word events.

I say all of this because I know so many people who know me and my work, but never go to events. They only support local spoken word when I come through town.

I urge everyone reading this to go to more events. Support more readings! Support local spoken word ORGANIZERS! Support touring poets. Pick one day a week and go to an event, alone or with a friend. Become part of a scene.

I went to the nearby Barnes & Noble this afternoon with Bill MacMillan. I am always compelled to peruse a bookstore’s poetry section, which is actually usually just one shelf. I have a backlog of unread books and am on a budget, but I still policed today’s poetry selection. I do it to see if any more of my friends are being stocked, get an idea of how popular poetry is in the area, and to see what level of poetry they supply. Worcester B&N’s poetry shelf is small, meek and beginner-level.

This made me so sad. To see Maya Angelou flopped over Keats. Bukowski all alone on a barren shelf. Meager. Pathetic.

I’m not saying there needs to be a store of only poetry publications — which would be awesome! — I am just saying that since I’m a hard sell on most things, and was so very drawn to spoken word after a few months, I think others could be too.

Go. See. Hear. Experience others. Express yourself. Do something different. If you don’t know where to begin, ask me and I will help you (everyone reading this will help you) find a venue close to home.

We may even be able to find you a ride.

If you cannot find one in driving distance: Build one.
———
Word to the nerd.
PS… I miss you, Gabs.

I hear about shows like Jersey Shore and Cleaning Up After The Kardashitians and any other work of video art pummeled out of our satelites, and it makes me sad. I even watch Law & Order and am so depressed by the end of each episode. They’re feeding on our basest emotions without requiring much thought or self-resolution.

THE most important aspect of my discovery of spoken word culture has surely been the plethora of events to attend, participate and support, and all the bad television and loneliness I get to avoid.

Granted, I enjoy the occassional vegg-out session of bad TV, but it rarely overshadows the joy and inspiration I get out of most spoken word events.

I say all of this because I know so many people who know me and my work, but never go to events. They only support local spoken word when I come through town.

I urge everyone reading this to go to more events. Support more readings! Support local spoken word ORGANIZERS! Support touring poets. Pick one day a week and go to an event, alone or with a friend. Become part of a scene.

I went to the nearby Barnes & Noble this afternoon with Bill MacMillan. I am always compelled to peruse a bookstore’s poetry section, which is actually usually just one shelf. I have a backlog of unread books and am on a budget, but I still policed today’s poetry selection. I do it to see if any more of my friends are being stocked, get an idea of how popular poetry is in the area, and to see what level of poetry they supply. Worcester B&N’s poetry shelf is small, meek and beginner-level.

This made me so sad. To see Maya Angelou flopped over Keats. Bukowski all alone on a barren shelf. Meager. Pathetic.

I’m not saying there needs to be a store of only poetry publications — which would be awesome! — I am just saying that since I’m a hard sell on most things, and was so very drawn to spoken word after a few months, I think others could be too.

Go. See. Hear. Experience others. Express yourself. Do something different. If you don’t know where to begin, ask me and I will help you (everyone reading this will help you) find a venue close to home.

We may even be able to find you a ride.

If you cannot find one in driving distance: Build one.
———
Word to the nerd.
PS… I miss you, Gabs.

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

TO-DO LIST THIS MONTH
I’ve gotten one check so far from a school gig, and it clears this afternoon. I will pay some February bills and begin paying back the first several loans via PayPal. I get home on Sunday and have a few weeks off before I hit the road again. I will receive two more school checks this weekend and should be able to pay back all of the loans by 2/15/10. I am stoked.

1. Pay bills/some loans.
2. Begin a daily yoga regimen.

NOTE: Thanks for asking, Stefan, about my goal to lose weight. Two of the the most difficult eating habits to break that I’ve found are portions and timing. I rarely have much of an appetite in the morning, then I am hungry late into the night. I generally snack a bit until evening, then eat ONE very large meal at night, then continue snacking until I fall asleep. I believe I am mostly overweight due to the fact that I fall asleep with so many unused calories still being digested. It has nowhere to go. I am forcing myself a smart breakfast within one hour of waking and I am limiting my eating to sundown. The only snacks I will allow myself when it is dark out are a limited amount of nuts and vegetables. No full meals after dark. No more fast food. Limited breads. A short exercise program before bed and upon waking. I think this is a good start. I love food, I just need to eat it between sun up and sundown, then actually use the energy.

3. Write my children’s story, send to artist to begin project. It’s gonna be sweet!
4. Begin screenplay. Have 40 pages by March.
5. Compile poems and things for second book.
6. Plan tour with Ellis, Maziar, and hopefully Michael Roberts. Links for all of them can be found at my website.
7. Organize and prioritize all my projects for the year.
8. Book travel for March.

INTERNET AND ORGANIZATION
I am getting better with posting my performance dates. Having a date with the internet every day is helpful in compelling me to get more and more work done. I almost have to force myself to get online when I am on the road, then it all comes in waves and I become way more productive. The few friends I know who really use to-do lists seem to get work done a lot more efficiently and are much more focused individuals. I can see the benefits already. I am pretty organized, but why not be the most organized person I know. It’ll be tough since I do know Simone Beaubien. Few come close to her organization skills.

I have streamlined my website and have been using Eventful.com (click for my page) to get my performance dates online in a cohesive listing. Not only does it “calendarize” my dates and info, but it adds the dates to the common event listing for anyone to find. It also automates widgets for each performer, which are on my website, and fans can add a “demand” widget to their sites so others can click to demand a performer to come to their area. It lets me know weekly how many people want me to tour through their respective cities. I like it so far.

WIKI PROJECT
If you’ve done any amount of wiki editing, understand the protocols, coding and formats of a wiki, and are interested in a project I have started, please contact me and let me know, maybe with links to show what you’ve done in the past.

VIDEO LIST
I am looking to add every video of me online to my site. If you have time on your hands and like to search for things on the internet, would you mind posting the URL for any videos you find with me in them. My video page is here, so please don’t add the links already listed: http://www.mikemcgee.net/?page_id=35
———
Word to the nerd.
Bunny up.

TO-DO LIST THIS MONTH
I’ve gotten one check so far from a school gig, and it clears this afternoon. I will pay some February bills and begin paying back the first several loans via PayPal. I get home on Sunday and have a few weeks off before I hit the road again. I will receive two more school checks this weekend and should be able to pay back all of the loans by 2/15/10. I am stoked.

1. Pay bills/some loans.
2. Begin a daily yoga regimen.

NOTE: Thanks for asking, Stefan, about my goal to lose weight. Two of the the most difficult eating habits to break that I’ve found are portions and timing. I rarely have much of an appetite in the morning, then I am hungry late into the night. I generally snack a bit until evening, then eat ONE very large meal at night, then continue snacking until I fall asleep. I believe I am mostly overweight due to the fact that I fall asleep with so many unused calories still being digested. It has nowhere to go. I am forcing myself a smart breakfast within one hour of waking and I am limiting my eating to sundown. The only snacks I will allow myself when it is dark out are a limited amount of nuts and vegetables. No full meals after dark. No more fast food. Limited breads. A short exercise program before bed and upon waking. I think this is a good start. I love food, I just need to eat it between sun up and sundown, then actually use the energy.

3. Write my children’s story, send to artist to begin project. It’s gonna be sweet!
4. Begin screenplay. Have 40 pages by March.
5. Compile poems and things for second book.
6. Plan tour with Ellis, Maziar, and hopefully Michael Roberts. Links for all of them can be found at my website.
7. Organize and prioritize all my projects for the year.
8. Book travel for March.

INTERNET AND ORGANIZATION
I am getting better with posting my performance dates. Having a date with the internet every day is helpful in compelling me to get more and more work done. I almost have to force myself to get online when I am on the road, then it all comes in waves and I become way more productive. The few friends I know who really use to-do lists seem to get work done a lot more efficiently and are much more focused individuals. I can see the benefits already. I am pretty organized, but why not be the most organized person I know. It’ll be tough since I do know Simone Beaubien. Few come close to her organization skills.

I have streamlined my website and have been using Eventful.com (click for my page) to get my performance dates online in a cohesive listing. Not only does it “calendarize” my dates and info, but it adds the dates to the common event listing for anyone to find. It also automates widgets for each performer, which are on my website, and fans can add a “demand” widget to their sites so others can click to demand a performer to come to their area. It lets me know weekly how many people want me to tour through their respective cities. I like it so far.

WIKI PROJECT
If you’ve done any amount of wiki editing, understand the protocols, coding and formats of a wiki, and are interested in a project I have started, please contact me and let me know, maybe with links to show what you’ve done in the past.

VIDEO LIST
I am looking to add every video of me online to my site. If you have time on your hands and like to search for things on the internet, would you mind posting the URL for any videos you find with me in them. My video page is here, so please don’t add the links already listed: http://www.mikemcgee.net/?page_id=35
———
Word to the nerd.
Bunny up.

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

OUR FEATURES
Lara (Lahr-ah!) Bozabalian, one of the sweetest and loveliest women I know, is a phenomenal writer and performer. She hails from Toronto, Ontario and has been involved in her poetry slam scene for a few years now. She just represented T.O. @ the National Poetry Slam. In September, she will return to teaching 12th Grade English (Canadian style, i.e. flavour, honour, houurly, vacuuuum – but we get her live and direct tonight in the kitchen.

Sharing this headliner tonight is David Perez. A San Jose native and one of my best friends, Perez (what I call him to his face) is a magical writer and performer who knows how to take us to moments of his life, letting us join him on the journey through his past, present and future. In 2008 he represented San Jo at the IWPS and this year he was a member of the San Jose Slam Team. You can’t not like Perez. He’s also making tamale pie!

Perez and Lara are debuting a poem or two each in an hour of round-robin cycled performance.

OPENERS INCLUDE:
(Debuting never-before-read poems)
Bobby Gibbs
Sam Teitel
Lea Deschene
David Keali’i MacKenzie
Mark Palos
Steve Subrizi
with one slot left for late sign u
UPCOMING
Our next Kitchen Session #3 will feature Adam Stone of Boston. Woot!
———
Word to the nerd.