In 2017, Nicole Sealey decided to read one poetry collection a day during the month of August.
She had just been appointed as the Executive Director at Cave Canem Foundation (an organization that supports and promotes Black poets and poetry) and had also recently released her debut collection, Ordinary Beast,
She felt that she hadn’t made enough time to read work by other poets and so she challenged herself to do just that. She made a post on social media and was surprised by the response.
She wrote in an article on Bookmarks; “I posted across my social media platforms to ask if anyone wanted to join me. As it turned out, folks did, and the challenge caught on. Poet Dante Micheaux, who participated in 2017, began using the hashtag: #TheSealeyChallenge, which, like a stereotypical poet, I stole. #TheSealeyChallenge was a godsend in that it not only dared me to read more, but it also dared me to make better use of, and be more strategic with, my time.”
The challenge has grown since then and now poets all over the world take part. Guess what? It’s August. We challenge you to read as much poetry as you can this month. Even if you don’t make it a bok a day, read some. And then share. It helps the fire spread.
Find out more about The Sealey Challenge
- The Sealey Challenge website
- Sealey Challenge Facebook page
- Sealey Challenge on Twitter
- Sealey Challenge on Instagram
More about Nicole Sealey
- The Paris Review | Every Poem Is a Love Poem to Something: An Interview with Nicole Sealey
- The Adroit Journal | Poetry is Hope: A Conversation With Nicole Sealey
- Read Nicole Sealey’s book, Ordinary Beast
Author: Team VoW
Valley of Writers provides resources, tools, ideas and training for new writers. We work with a writers and contributors based around the world. Our primary focus is to equip new writers with skills to help them reach new audiences and achieve their goals.
