patricia smith, poet
 
patricia smith
wordwoman


Patricia's groundbreaking book Blood Dazzler -- which chronicles the human, emotional and physical toll exacted by Hurricane Katrina -- is a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award, and one of NPR’s Top Books of 2008!

If you read, write or listen, you know Patricia Smith. Her unparalleled voice sparkles on the page, on the stage, and in the classroom.

Other books include the National Poetry Series winner Teahouse of the Almighty, Close to Death, Big Towns, Big Talk, and Life According to Motown. She also penned the children’s book Janna and the Kings and the history book Africans in America.

Coming up: A thrilling Blood Dazzler dance/theater collaboration with choreographer Paloma McGregor, a principal dancer with Urban Bush Women, and her sister Patricia McGregor of Yale Drama School.

Patricia’s honors include the National Poetry Series, a Pushcart Prize and the first-ever Hurston/Wright Legacy Award in Poetry.

A sought-after speaker, inspiring teacher and experienced leader of workshops and residencies, Patricia crafts innovative classes in writing and performance for squirming 1st-graders, seasoned slammers, soccer moms, prisoners, surly preteens and college students. She now offers intensive individualized instruction featuring manuscript construction, revision and review.

With four National Poetry Slam individual championship titles, Patricia is the most successful slammer in the competition’s history—and arguably the world’s best spoken word performer.

And she’s shared the stage with Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn!), Madeline Albright and Chicago mayor Richard Daley. Just sayin'.

 
Eclectic author.
Riveting performer.
Energized instructor.
There’s no one like Patricia Smith.

No one.

 
Find out what words can do. Let her change your life.