In a sociocultural climate in which fat bodies are considered diseased and blamed for everything from rising medical costs to global warning, it takes courage for fat women, especially, to express anything but shame about their bodies. Fat Poets Speak is part of and intended for the growing movement reclaiming "fat" as a valid way to exist in the world.
The Fat Poets' Society was born during a poetry workshop at the 2006 annual convention of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, a civil rights organization. The poets are donating their royalties to NAAFA.
Kathy Barron has a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, ran her own health food store, worked as a bodyworker, energy healer and caregiver, and now is pursuing her dream of writing.
Anne S. Kaplan is a Certified Personal Business and Life coach, a "recovering scientist" with a Ph.D. in neuroscience, and a former computer programmer and consultant.
Corinna Makris is the proprietress of ThisLushLife.com, an online plus-size clothing/living resource.
Lesleigh J. Owen has a Ph.D. in sociology and is a college instructor and social activist.
Frannie Zellman received her MA in creative writing from Boston University and is the author of the novels FatLand and FatLand: The Early Days, as well as editor of Fat Poets Speak 2: Living and Loving Fatly.