I am available to speak at your festival, community center, school, book club, or library. My recent engagements include TEDx Greenville, the Pat Conroy Literary Center, Spartanburg Methodist College, Furman University, the Upstate Writing Project, and many more.
My 2017 dates are filling up quickly, but please reach out! I am certified through the South Carolina Arts Commission, The SC Humanities Council, The Georgia Council for the Arts, and the Metropolitan Arts Council.
My 2017 dates are filling up quickly, but please reach out! I am certified through the South Carolina Arts Commission, The SC Humanities Council, The Georgia Council for the Arts, and the Metropolitan Arts Council.
Click here for detailed information FOR SCHOOLS.
Kimberly is an expert on the industrialization of the south, specifically, the textile mill era in the Southern Piedmont. Ron Rash, award-winning author, says about Kimberly, "she writes with eloquence and empathy about an important part of Southern history - too often neglected." The goal of her workshops is to give attendees new tools to help them find their own voice.
Kimberly’s most recent book, LINDY LEE: SONGS ON MILL HILL, brings to life the social fault lines of textile mills in the rural Carolina Piedmont — themes of child labor, the changing roles of women, of a fading away of life where isolation is juxtaposed against a strong sense of community. Critics call it, "Innovative, Entertaining" and "Haunting."
In this workshop, poet and educator Kimberly Simms will lead attendees in writing a narrative poem in the voice of a favorite literary character or historical figure. This workshop works particularly well when exploring a pre-chosen work of fiction or historical figure as part of a larger celebration, conference, or unit. The workshop includes a pre-writing activity, a craft lesson, and examples to scaffold all writing levels. The workshop will finish with sharing and a brief discussion. This workshop works well as a single session or a series.
Exploring family history through poetry.
This structured workshop helps both beginner and advanced writers craft poems that explore their family history. Whether writing a tribute to a favorite family member or exploring an important family landscape, Kimberly Simms will lead attendees in creating a poem using a writing process to support strong imagery and figurative language. The workshop includes a pre-writing activity, a craft lesson, and examples to scaffold all writing levels. The workshop will finish with sharing and a brief discussion. This workshop works well as a single session or a series.
Discovering Creativity with Poetry
Do you consider yourself a creative person? This workshop will show attendees how to use a structured process as a tool to access their creativity. We will explore relaxation through creative arts. Our in-class exercise will include making a visual poem integrating a colorful watercolor background with found poetry. This workshop works well as a single session or a series. No previous art or poetry experience required!
Cooking up Poetry: Writing recipe poems.
In this delicious workshop, poet and educator Kimberly Simms will lead attendees in writing their own “recipe” style poems. Attendees will also discuss several sample poems to help them explore ideas about food and life. The workshop includes a structured poetic form and a craft lesson so that writers of any level can participate. The workshop will finish with time for sharing and discussion.
Talking to Disaster: Finding healing through poetry.
After a disaster, communities find comfort in poems that speak to their sense of loss. Whether dealing with personal tragedy or processing a disaster, individuals can be overwhelmed with emotions. Yet a special type of healing comes from reading and hearing words that echo your own complex feelings. In this reading and discussion, poet Kimberly Simms will share on topic poems to provide a medium for dialogue. Attendees will be encouraged to find a sense of community through discussion of contemporary poetry in small groups.
Example: https://www.facebook.com/events/1877510349129221/
Write it Out! Finding healing through poetry.
When individuals suffer a personal trauma or are working through tough life issues, poetry can be a therapeutic force. This workshop features writing prompts to help attendees process their emotions and experiences in a safe space. The workshop will also include model poems to facilitate discussion. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their writing in pairs or small groups. This workshop can also be tailored to explore domestic violence, women’s issues, or addiction.
Poetry Slam: Putting performance into contemporary poetry.
In this hands-on workshop, poet and educator Kimberly Simms will lead attendees in performing well-known contemporary poems. The workshop will feature a short craft lesson on voice and blocking. The workshop will also include a discussion on the history and current state of poetry slams. The session will end with an informal performance, as well as a question and answer session. If multiple sessions are desired, Kimberly has several writing prompts to aid attendees in creating their own poems. Kimberly Simms is a certified slam master with the national organization Poetry Slam Inc. She is a former South East Regional Slam Champion and a Poetry Out Loud Regional Judge.
Presentations
Doffers, Smashers, Slashers: Discovering the Textile Era through Poetry, Photography, & History with author Kimberly J Simms
The vastness of history leaves some events resigned to just a few sparse paragraphs in history books. The industrialization of the south, specifically, the textile mill era in the Caroline Piedmont is often “forgotten” but Kimberly J Simms transports audiences back in time and into the minds and hearts of those who lived through this significant era. Ron Rash, award-winning author, says about Kimberly, "she writes with eloquence and empathy about an important part of Southern history - too often neglected."
Combining history, poetry, and photography, Kimberly celebrates the joys and hardships of a charged, mythic, and sweat-soaked place. Kimberly’s most recent book, LINDY LEE: SONGS ON MILL HILL, brings to life the social fault lines of textile mills in the rural Carolina Piedmont — themes of child labor, the changing roles of women, of a fading way of life where isolation is juxtaposed against a strong sense of community. Critics call it, "Innovative, Entertaining" and "Haunting."
A Poetry Reading: Contemporary PoetryA Poetry Reading: Discovering the South through poetry.
This reading, led by poet Kimberly Simms, connects audiences to the excitement of contemporary poetry. Kimberly Simms will share a variety of engaging poems that explore the life and history of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Kimberly Simms has garnered recognition for her poetry not only from esteemed literary journals, but also from national poetry festivals. Her poems have been featured on both television, radio, and in print. The reading will finish with a question and answer session. She is the 2016 Carl Sandburg Writer-in-Residence. She has appeared at festivals such as Artisphere, LEAF, TEDx, Blue Ridge Bookfest, South Carolina Writer’s Annual Conference, The Art on the Trail Festival, and The SC Strawberry Festival.Whether exploring social media, travel abroad, or local history, Kimberly Simms has a poem for every audience. She brings her award winning poetry slam background together with her expertly crafted poems and humorous wit to capture the attention of audiences. Kimberly Simms has garnered recognition for her poetry not only from esteemed literary journals, but also from national poetry festivals. Her poems have been featured on both television, radio, and in print. The reading will finish with a question and answer session.
Curated Slam
Kimberly is available to act as a consultant or curate a poetry slam of the South's hottest poets - specifically tailored to your event. Kimberly has recently curated slams for Furman University and TEDx Greenville. Please contact her for additional information
Fees:
Please note: fees are negotiated based on travel, distance, and type of event.
Community Festival Reading: Please contact kimberlysimmspoet@gmail.com for an estimate.
Honorarium covers up to a 45 minute reading and performance plus a Q&A session.
Funding is available through the Humanities Council for some SC events or the Vibrant Communities Grant in Georgia.
Conference Workshop: Please contact kimberlysimmspoet@gmail.com for an estimate.
Honorarium covers up to one 60 minute adult workshop including handouts plus Q&A and informal receptions or lunches. Funding is available through the humanities council for some SC events. Or the Vibrant Communities Grant in Georgia.
School Assembly Reading up to 2 assemblies: $250 - $500 plus travel
This fee covers up to two 30 minute readings plus 15 minute Q&A sessions. Funding is available through the humanities council for SC events.
Classroom visits: $150 to $250 plus travel.
Classroom visits are billed at $75 per 40-60 minute class or $115 per block class.
Funding is available through the SC Arts Commission's Teaching Artist Residency or Georgia Council for the Arts TA program. Each class should be no more than 30 students.
Community or Bookclub talk:
This fee covers up to a 30 minute reading or craft talk plus a Q&A session as well as informal receptions for groups under 30 people.
Personal poetry critiques and workshop: $75 - $400
This fee covers a one hour session. This experience will be tailored to your individual writing needs. This service is only available to a limited number of writers per year.
Additional fees for travel or housing may be required. No travel fees are charged for the Upstate of SC or the Atlanta Metro area. Click here for information on the SC Humanities Council's Grant Form (School's are Eligible!)
http://schumanities.org/projects/speakers/sbapplication/