Poetry
makes the world...
feta.
We believe life is better with a little cheddar
About Us
Big Cheese Poetry is a 501(c)(3) literary nonprofit creating competitive, community-centered poetry spaces where poets are paid, publishing is demystified, and oral tradition is honored as a living art form.Unlike traditional literary models, Big Cheese Poetry charges no entry or reading fees for poets. Instead, we fund artist and contributors through ticket sales, donations, and community partnerships. Top-performing poets earn publishing credits in our annual anthology, offering a clear, honest look at what it actually means to become a poet.Why This Matters
Poetry is one of the oldest oral traditions, yet many contemporary systems ask poets to pay to submit their work, offer publication without compensation, and obscure how editorial decisions are made. Big Cheese Poetry exists to challenge these norms by modeling a different way forward: one where artistic labor is valued financially, publishing pathways are visible and accountable, and competition allows both excellence and play to shine.