Description: DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE BAD contains 75+ writing prompts curated by Ollie Schminkey to help poets of all skill levels approach new forms and perspectives, while steering writers away from ideas of 'perfection'. Pulling examples from Button Poetry's catalog, Schminkey highlights the work of their print-mates and invites readers to engage with each new work. Their encouragement focuses on writers getting out the first draft- the most important step in any writing process!
Brief description: Ollie Schminkey is a non-binary transgender poet/musician/artist living in St. Paul, MN. They facilitate, direct, coach, and host many organizations, including a weekly writing workshop called Well-Placed Commas, which serves primarily queer and trans writers. They've performed poems in 18 states, and their work has been featured everywhere from THEM to Upworthy. When they're not writing and performing poetry, they spend their time making pottery under the name Sick Kitty Ceramics. Their collections, Dead Dad Jokes and Where I Dry The Flowers are available or forthcoming via Button Poetry.