Artist Access Grant

My purpose in creating this collection is to share a vision and inspire others to share theirs. I want to encourage readers to find moments to be mindful and acknowledge the love and beauty that exists but is often neglected in the hustle of life. I hope these poems can uplift and the method of distribution can inspire others in our community to love the world and reach out to find joy in each other. When I hear feedback from readers that they have been inspired I will know I have achieved one of my goals. I am also working at building momentum in my career and to give my work as a poet a jump start. I want to push myself to achieve beyond what I have already done and sustain my creativity through interactions with readers and the a greater population of anyone who lives in or visits Duluth. I can measure this outcome by selling 30 books at poetry readings and 30 at bookstores and talking with those who buy them. A social media contact page will be included in the book. I will know that I have been successful when I have put 40 gifted copies of my book into the hands of readers via the LFL's and the poetry chrysalides. I will also measure success when I have sold 60 books at poetry readings and in local bookstores. Another way to measure success will be in communicating and receiving feedback with readers at public events such as poetry readings and in online communication via social media. A page will be included in the book with such contact info on how to engage the author. Being contacted and asked to perform at events will also be a measure of success. When I have sold sufficient books at poetry readings and in bookstores I will have enough revenue to publish another book in 2024, this is another measure of success. I will then have created a sustainable poetic endeavor that will continue to move me in the artistic direction that I love.