The editing and publishing classes have been hard at work preparing for the fall semester poetry slam on Nov. 21.  

This is the 49th poetry slam that Wayne State College has hosted. Those looking to participate must pay $5 and bring four original poems that are ready to share. The event will take place in The Max Bar and Grill’s back room at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21, but those wishing to participate can sign up at 6 p.m. Students who simply want to spectate are free to do so at no charge.  

To prepare for the event, editing and publishing students have been collecting donations for first through fourth places, putting up posters around campus and the community, preparing decorations for the event and advertising. The class is looking for someone willing to emcee the event, whether that be a student in editing and publishing or a faculty member.

To determine first, second, third and fourth place winners, there are faculty judges who rank and eliminate contestants in each round of the slam.  

“You pull a number out of a hat; that’s the order you perform in,” Lily Payson, past poetry slam participant and current editing and publishing student, said. “But you recite your poem to get judged and at the end they narrow it down. So, it starts with everyone who signed up, they narrow it down to eight people, and then down again to the final four. At the very end they’ll announce who the winners are.” 

The editing and publishing students want to encourage as many people to come to the event as possible, even to simply watch the event. If attending the slam for poetry’s sake isn’t enough to convince people to go, there is always the opportunity to get some food, hang out with friends and see what the event is all about. 

“It’s a really fun event,” Payson said. “I think more people should go, even if that’s not your thing. It can be fun to get up there and just hang out, and maybe you’ll win a prize. Who knows?”