Everything You Need to Know About the Sealey Poetry Challenge
If you’ve been looking for a reason to read more poetry, this is it.
For poetry lovers and avid readers, the Sealey Poetry Challenge is more than just a reading initiative–it’s a month-long rhythm, verse, and prose extravaganza. Each August, participants take on the ambitious goal of reading one book of poetry per day, immersing themselves in the world of poetry. Whether you’re a seasoned poet, a causal reader, or someone looking to get their proverbial feet wet in poetry reading, the Sealey Challenge provides a unique opportunity to explore the art form alongside a community of like-minded individuals.
Here’s everything you need to know about it.
How did the Sealey Challenge come to be?
It all began in 2017 with Nicole Sealey, a recently published poet who was so busy with her administrative job and the promotion of her first book that she had far too little time to read for pleasure. Thus, she decided to challenge herself with a personal goal: read one book of poems each day for the entire month of August. She announced the challenge on social media, and the internet ran with it. It even has its own hashtag: #SealeyChallenge.
What is the Sealey Challenge, and why do we do it?
The Sealey Challenge began as a simple reading goal, but it quickly turned into a community-building initiative. Now, people participate in the Sealey Challenge in part to connect with other poetry lovers through sharing book recommendations and reading experiences on social media.
How do I sign up?
There is no official sign-up for the Sealey Challenge, though the official website does have a printable certificate you can fill in when you’ve completed all 31 books. It’s also worth noting that there is no specific book list, so you can read whatever poetry you want–and yes, chapbooks count.
How do I share my experience with others?
Currently, the only way to share your experience and connect with others is through social media. You can share photos of your book choices, post book reviews, and tag all posts with #SealeyChallenge to join the conversation on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
What are some tips for a successful Sealey Challenge experience?
An important thing to note about Nicole Sealey is that she highly encourages reading chapbooks, books by marginalized voices, and buying books from your local independent book stores. But here are some other tips:
Specifically select collections that you can read in a day
Use libraries and secondhand bookstores
Listen to audiobooks
Plan a book swap
Rate and review each book as you finish them so you have something to look back on
Read mindfully; engage with your books, it’s much more meaningful than reading just to check it off a list and forgetting all about it seconds later
Book Recommendations
I have not read nearly as much poetry as I’d like to, but here are some collections that I have read lately:
99 Poems to Cure Whatever's Wrong With You or Create The Problems You Need by Sam Pink (highly recommend)
But She is Also Jane by Laura Read (highly recommend)
Dresses From the Old Country by Laura Read
The Wellspring by Sharon Olds
Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz
Sailing Alone Around the Room by Billy Collins
Mortal Trash by Kim Addonizio
God I Feel Modern Tonight: Poems From a Gal About Town by Catherine Cohen
The Truro Bear and Other Adventures by Mary Oliver
A Strangely Wrapped Gift by Emily Juniper