About

About National Beat Poetry Foundation

National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc.

The organization is active and registered in the State of Connecticut, USA, by Owner/CEO, Deborah T. Kilday. The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. was registered on March 1, 2016.

54 Tosun Road, Wolcott, CT 06716

State of Connecticut, USA

Business ID: 1200316

Statement of Purpose:

The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization, which includes its festivals, “National Beat Poetry Festival” (NBPF), “International Beat Poetry Festival” (IBPF), and “Kerouac Cafe”. While we continue to preserve the writings of the “Beat Generation’, we strive to keep evolving to create a new ” Beat Generation” of Poets, Writers, Artists, and Musicians. The NBPF supports the above primary mission by hosting, collaborating, and fostering joint partnerships for Beat-themed poetry readings, workshops, plays, radio shows and much more locally, across the United States and Worldwide.

Collaborations, Affiliations and Joint Partnerships:

NBPF supports the further development and exposure of non-traditional poetry from people of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations. That creates supportive communities, creating safe venues for anyone interested in this type of writing to present their work and this extends to individuals, organizations, and representatives of universities and colleges.

The history of Beat Generation’s significant writings from its original prime movers lives on from its inception in the early 1940’s. This legacy continues today by way of new writers, poets, artists, and musicians of disparate influences and means of expression. The NBPF, Inc. is committed to supporting those venues that already exist, and in developing new venues that build on the cultural history while showcasing works of new artists of today.

NBPF hopes to bring the writing styles to the present along with the values of today, regarding women’s rights, gender rights, and not romanticize a life of self destruction as a prerequisite to be a beat writer. NBPF upholds creating respect for each writer at their events which is different then saying anyone must like the work of each writer. NBPF works to create safe environments for people to participate in either as a writer of listener.

NBPF, Inc. activities promote literacy and open exchange dialogue which incorporates the Beat history and art at its base, to break boundaries and bridge cultures with new thought, ideas, and free expression. Jack Kerouac, the founder of the Beat Generation said it best. Beat Poetry is sympathetic and pure. The difference between conventional poetry and Beat Poetry is, Beat Poetry gives a voice to everyone. It is the epitome of free verse using your own form, your own rules, to express your own ideas on love, life, and the world, with an emphasis on issues concerning the environment and humanity. The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. is continuing that tradition & expanding upon it.

Behavior:

The Writer, Author, Poet, Publisher, Artist shall act respectful, not commit any act that indicates dishonesty or moral turpitude or that otherwise could injure the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. name, its owner, its recognized beat poet laureates, or any granted affiliate locations that are allowed to use the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. name, it’s festival names, or it’s advisors or consultants reputation.

How Beat Poet Laureates are Chosen & How to Make Recommendations:

Beat Poet Laureates are chosen through recommendations that are submitted by email to NBPF15@GMAIL.COM. An anonymous committee of 7 people from different poetry groups, plus past and present NBPF Beat Poet Laureates give recommendations and reviews, and then votes on their choices, given the information received. The committee then forwards their findings to Debbie Tosun Kilday, owner, who then, after doing her own research and compiling the information received, then makes the final decisions based on several different factors. In order to be considered to be a Beat Poet Laureate, you must show interest in our group and social media pages. It helps to show interest and to attend our events, held both online and in person. Submitting your work to our beat anthologies is also a way to be seen and your work read.
* Note from Debbie Tosun Kilday: Each year, after being given many recommendations, 70 or more, I must then pick a few that have the most votes from my anonymous committee consisting of past and present Beat Laureates. I have found through the years that not all of the recommended poets are known , well known, or ultra talented in their writing. But I have seen tremendous growth both personally and in their writing after those certain individuals start their beat laureate terms. I believe giving these awards out each year has changed individuals lives for the better.

History:

The Connecticut Beat Poetry Festival was held in June 2008 in Middletown, CT by Colin Haskins with help from Yvon J. Cormier. In 2014 there was renewed interest in the Beat movement and having Beat themed events. The name, National Beat Poetry Festival was created and Debbie Tosun Kilday joined in the planning of events. In 2016 Debbie Tosun Kilday incorporated the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. and its festivals: National Beat Poetry Festival, International Beat Poetry Festival, and Kerouac Cafe. Colin Haskins and Yvon J. Cormier were named as business partners. In the later part of 2016 due to increased family obligations, time constraints, and lack of involvement, Yvon J. Cormier is no longer a part of the NBPF. In June 2019, Colin Haskins removed himself from the NBPF. Both Yvon J. Cormier and Colin Haskins are no longer affiliated or involved as co-owners, officers, have no title or decision making powers, cannot hold a location, or hold any events using the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., National Beat Poetry Festival, International Beat Poetry Festival, Nat’l & Int’l Beat Festival Names, Kerouac Cafe, Goddess Festival or NBPF names.

In March 2020 Paul Richmond (Human Error Press, Greenfield, MA), was officially added as an advisor and a affiliate of the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc. In April 2021 Chryssa Velissariou from Greece was added to our team as an Advisor, affiliate, as well as Technical Manager.

Contact:

Debbie Tosun Kilday is the Owner/CEO and can be contacted for any recommendations you may have, to ask to be a feature, or to grant written approval when planning an event using the National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., National Beat Poetry Festival, International Beat Poetry Festival, Kerouac Cafe, or Goddess Festival names.

Debbie Tosun Kilday is the owner of her own imprint, ”New Generation Beat Publications” – Publishing NBPF Anthologies, Special Events, and Beat Laureates books with her imprint name. Her hope is to further her goal of honoring present day Beats and their writings.

email:
newgenbeatpublications@gmail.com

You can contact Debbie by emailing her at:

NBPF15@GMAIL.COM

Beat Poetry Lives Here