Dream baby press brings poetry to the unlikely

Poetry readings are often a stuffy affair, held in dimly lit bookstores or libraries. But not for Dream Baby Press, the unconventional publisher and entertainment company founded by filmmaker and poet Matt Starr.

Starr's mission

Starr's journey into poetry began unexpectedly during the pandemic. He had no literary background, but discovered a passion for the art form, drawn to the raw, unfiltered voices of poets like Rene Ricard, Richard Brautigan, and Charles Bukowski.

This newfound love led Starr to co-found Dream Baby Press in 2022 with Zack Roif, with a mission to make reading and writing fun, exciting, and accessible. They've achieved this through a series of unconventional readings held in unexpected locations, from Burger King to Sbarro in Penn Station.

Pop-up poetry

These pop-up events have gained a loyal following, attracting readers who might not normally attend poetry readings. Starr's goal is to create memorable experiences that bring people together in unusual settings.