Get Olivia’s new book, NEW AMERICAN BEST FRIEND: http://bit.ly/oliviabestfriend Check out all of Olivia’s books: https://bit.ly/oliviagatwoodshop Become a Member for exclusive perks and videos: https://bit.ly/ButtonMember Olivia Gatwood, performing at Camp Bar in Saint Paul, MN. Want to choose which videos run on Button: https://bit.ly/ButtonCurator About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

What makes a poem relatable? By examining how we have been conditioned to judge our personal stories as insignificant, poet Olivia Gatwood brings to light the value in the seemingly mundane, and its potential to connect us to thousands. Olivia Gatwood is a nationally touring poet, performer and educator from Albuquerque, New Mexico. As an advocate for Title IX Compliant education, Olivia travels nationwide, speaking at colleges, universities, middle and high schools, educating young people about consent, body image, sexism in the media, and poetry as a tool for social justice. Olivia's work has been featured on HBO, Verses & Flow, and The Huffington Post as well as Muzzle Magazine, Winter Tangerine, and Tinderbox, among others. She has been a finalist at the National Poetry Slam, Women of the World Poetry Slam, and Brave New Voices. Olivia firmly believes girl power, specifically that of teen girls, and has spent the majority of her career working to create spaces where young women feel validated, represented and empowered to exercise their voices. She is the author of Amazon bestseller, New American Best Friend. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

SlamFindTV (bit.ly/SlamFindTV) is a platform for spoken word poetry media to watch local, regional, and national poetry events on demand. Subscribe today! Follow Olivia Gatwood at: https://twitter.com/oliviagatwood Olivia is part of SPEAK LIKE A GIRL, a feminist, interactive spoken word poetry show designed to change the conversation on college campuses. Learn more at: http://www.speaklikeagirl.com www.SlamFind.com

Get Olivia’s new book, NEW AMERICAN BEST FRIEND: http://bit.ly/oliviabestfriend Check out all of Olivia’s books: https://bit.ly/oliviagatwoodshop Become a Member for exclusive perks and videos: https://bit.ly/ButtonMember Olivia Gatwood, performing at Icehouse in Minneapolis, MN. Volunteers needed! Help choose videos for Button: https://bit.ly/ButtonCurator About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

Get Olivia’s new book, NEW AMERICAN BEST FRIEND: http://bit.ly/oliviabestfriend Check out all of Olivia’s books: https://bit.ly/oliviagatwoodshop Become a Member for exclusive perks and videos: https://bit.ly/ButtonMember Olivia Gatwood, performing at Camp Bar in Saint Paul, MN. Volunteers needed! Help choose videos for Button: https://bit.ly/ButtonCurator About Button: Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry. We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. By encouraging and broadcasting the best and brightest performance poets of today, we hope to broaden poetry's audience, to expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.

"Backpedal" is based on a poem written & performed by Olivia Gatwood. Winner: Flickerfest - Best Editing (Australian Short), Cannes Young Director Award (Gold), Cannes New Creator Showcase, Ciclope Award - Best New Talent in Direction (Gold), London International Award - Best New Director (Silver), IMDB Independent Short Awards (Best Director, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Women's Short) Writer/Director: Dani Pearce Producer: Sarah Nichols DOP: Christopher Miles Art Director: Simon Morgan Editor: Jessica Mutascio Assistant Editor: Lily Davis Production Co: Lotus Films & Finch Production EP: Rob Galluzzo Post-Production Co: The Editors Post-EP: Nicoletta Rousianos Post-Producer: Daniel Fry Flame Artist: Matt Edwards Colour: Fergus Rotherham Audio Post-Production: Rumble Studios Sound Designers: Cameron Milne & Mireille Abbott Casting Director: Danny Long Hair & Makeup: Reia Perkins

Olivia Gatwood reads from her poetry collection, LIFE OF THE PARTY. Recorded live at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Read more about her book: http://bit.ly/2ZkA6xO Sign up for the Penguin Random House newsletter to get more videos like this and tailored book recommendations: http://bit.ly/2k9u67A Subscribe to PRH: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OnzY1OgwUE0XPAHpqlcvQ?sub_confirmation=1 PRH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PenguinRandomHouse/ PRH on Twitter: https://twitter.com/penguinrandom PRH on Tumblr: https://penguinrandomhouse.tumblr.com/ PRH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penguinrandomhouse/ PRH on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/penguinrandom/