POET
Jeanne Powell's poems have appeared in several print and online journals, including Essence Magazine, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal and the tenth anniversary issue of Drumvoices Revue from SIU-E. Jeanne Powell's poem, "Next Time" won first prize from the Detroit Writers Guild in 2002. Three poems were selected for the Creative Justice Art Show at the University of San Francisco, 2006: "If The Shoe Fits," "Next Time," and "Making Amends." Three collections of her work have been published: February Voices (1994), Cadences (1996), and Tangerine Dance (1999). All three were reprinted in 2003 as Celebration of the Word.

MY OWN SILENCE (poems and haiku) was a finalist in national competition in 2002, shortlisted for the Naomi Long Madgett prize. MY OWN SILENCE was published in 2006 by Meridien PressWorks.

In 2008 WORD DANCING was published by Beatitude Press -- a new collection of poems, prose and 21 art collages by Jeanne Powell.

Contact us to purchase, or to schedule a feature. Books may be purchased from Bird & Beckett (http://www.birdbeckett.com), and from Books & Bookshelves in SF.

"MY OWN SILENCE is a vibrant, cohesive collection of story poems, with bold beginnings and endings neatly tucked. The writer spins dramatic filaments into poetic gold with a rhythmic ear and a robust voice. Cousin to Whitman, Jordan, Collins -- Jeanne Powell's literary threads are expertly woven into America's tapestry of struggle and redemption."
--reviewed by Stephen Kopel, author of Spritz.

"MY OWN SILENCE is a testament against the worst type of silence -- that of indifference. These are poems of conscience in which the poet ends her silence by transforming her outrage into unforgettable images...Yet, despite the world's cruelty and sorrows, the poet finds much in which she can rejoice...This is a book that looks hard at life...and embraces it in all its complexity."
--reviewed by Lucille Lang Day, Ph.D., author of Wild One and Infinities.

"Jeanne's powerful, finely crafted poems are a treat for the ear, as well as the imagination. I own a copy of WORD DANCING and highly recommend her work. Jeanne is a visual artist as well as a poet, and several of her beautiful and provocative collages adorn the pages of her latest book."
--reviewed by Selene Steese, author of Woman Growing Wings.

"With her new book, WORD DANCING, Jeanne has expanded her horizons.  These new poems move into uncharted territory, both in emotional intensity and subject matter.  WORD DANCING also includes a section of new prose pieces, a direction I find most appealing, and many mult-colored collages by the author to catch your eye.  Jeanne concludes the book with a selection of tried and true poems from her chapbooks (1994-1999).  WORD DANCING is a feast!"

--reviewed by Bill Vartnaw, author of Suburbs of My Childhood.

PERFORMER
Jeanne Powell reads her poetry and prose in a variety of venues.

In 2008-2009 Jeanne was a featured performer on Pirate Cat Radio, at the Oakland S.O.U.P spoken word series, the annual Petaluma Poetry Walk, Poetry Salon at SPC in Sausalito, the Last Word series at Caffe Nefeli in Berkeley, and Expressions Art Gallery in Berkeley.   See her Redroom site for upcoming features.

In 2006-2007 Jeanne Powell's poetry was featured in Creative Justice Arts program at University of San Francisco, Anna's Jazz Island in Berkeley, Poetry Express series at Priya Restaurant in Berkeley, Bird & Beckett Books, Labor Fest program at City Lights Books, Oakland Out Loud series at Dimond branch of Oakland Public Library, Cody's Books in San Francisco, Café La Boheme, Red Hill Books, 3300 Club, Sunset Poetry by the Sea series at Northpoint Coffeehouse in Sausalito, Sacred Grounds Coffee House, Listen & Be Heard Cafe in Vallejo, Sonoma Coffee Company in Santa Rosa, annual Poetry under the Dome at City Hall, and Poetry Hotel salon.

In 2004-2005 she was a featured performer at Café Bean, Café Prague, Mediterraneum Café in Berkeley, Bay Area Poets Coalition anniversary feature at SF Main Library, North Coast Review feature at Live Worms Gallery, Drumvoices Revue anniversary feature at Marcus Books, Monticello Inn, Literature Expo at Art & Soul Festival in Oakland, Cody's Books on Fourth Street in Berkeley, Zebulon's Lounge in Petaluma, radio station KPOO, Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Emeryville, Lighthouse "Poetry Scene" anniversary reading (radio), Bibliohead Bookstore, and Golden Gate Valley Public Library.

SPOKEN WORD HOST
Jeanne Powell loves the word, and created three spoken word series in San Francisco where poets, playwrights, and novelists could perform and listen to others share their work.
[1] "Celebration of the Word," an award-winning series which started at Polk St. Beans & Café, continued every week for ten years at several venues (1994-2004).
[2] "Word Dancing" was started in the Mission as a special event for National Poetry Month in 1997, and Jeanne later continued for a year at Edinburgh Castle (2002). As of 2007, Word Dancing is now a monthly series.
[3] "Poetry at the Cosmo" was a weekly series created by Jeanne Powell when the Cosmo was a member of the Kimpton chain of boutique hotels; she also booked the features and was the primary host for that twelve-month series.


TEACHER
Jeanne created a critique group for poets and other writers in 1992. She continues to facilitate that group, which meets monthly in San Francisco. Jeanne Powell was a panelist for the 2002 National Writers Union seminar on "The Writer as Publisher," held in Oakland CA; audiotapes may be purchased from the NWU in New York. In 2004 she presented a workshop on independent publishing at the San Francisco Zine Fest. Each year Jeanne teaches at-risk youth in a summer program at a major university.


PUBLISHER
In 1996, Jeanne Powell established Meridien PressWorks to assist local writers who wish to be published professionally. Since then, her press has published 18 books by 14 writers.


LIVING TREASURES SERIES
Recently Jeanne Powell created the Living Treasures project to publish the writings of four poetic elders:
- Leonard Irving;
- Beth McDonald;
- Jesse Fry;
- Anne Bacon Soulé.
Editors for this project included Stephen Kopel and Selene Steese. Jeanne wrote a successful grant application for half the funds and additional money came from a fundraiser at Clarion Music. All four books were published in 2005.