The People's Project: Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward

by Saeed Jones, Maggie Smith

A liberatory anthology of twenty-six writers—a community in book form—charting paths ahead for action and care in the face of political uncertainty, curated by Maggie Smith and Saeed Jones.

Inspired by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith’s conversations in the wake of the 2024 election, this is a collection of poems, essays, and visual art on what we—individually and collectively—can hold onto, and what we can work towards.

In times of difficulty, with a government working against its own people, we must turn to our friends and loved ones to provide context, language, energy, and hope. The People’s Project offers a range of perspectives, drawing wisdom from their communities and from know-your-place aggression to crip time as a way forward, from finding strength in nature to how trans people provide a guide for the future, and how hope has everything to do with survival.

We hope these meditations and strategies will provide you with inspiration and fortitude for the years ahead.

Featuring original and selected work from Alexander Chee, Chase Strangio, Tiana Clark, Hala Alyan, Aubrey Hirsch, Imani Perry, Abi Maxwell, Victoria Chang, Koritha Mitchell, Jason Silverstein, Alice Wong, Mira Jacob, Aruni Kashyap, Sam Sax, Ashley C. Ford, Marlon James, Eula Biss, Randall Mann, Danez Smith, Ada Limon, Kiese Laymon, Joy Harjo, Jill Damatac, and Patricia Smith.

Genres: Poetry, Essays, Nonfiction, Anthologies, Art, LGBT, Politics

128 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Saeed Jones is the author of the memoir How We Fight for Our Lives, winner of the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, the 2020 Stonewall Book Award/Israel Fishman Non-fiction Award, and a 2020 Lambda Literary Award. He is also the author of the poetry collection Prelude to Bruise, winner of the 2015 PEN/Joyce Osterweil Award for Poetry and the 2015 Stonewall Book Award/Barbara Gittings Literature Award. The poetry collection was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as awards from Lambda Literary and the Publishing Triangle in 2015. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Reviews

[Roxane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compact collection of really strong poetry and interesting prose about finding ways to thrive in the current climate, how to fight, how to figure out individual ways forward, how to remember who we are and who we come from. A lot to chew on.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

i will read anything about how we're even supposed to live right now.

https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...

in spite of that, i don't really know what the intended audience for this book was — at times it felt more like it meant to soothe a crowd of like-minded and politically frustrated people, which is not how i feel. i feel angry and constantly aware of the immense number of people who are immensely suffering and i want to be able to do more than read a book that gives 5% of its proceeds to the aclu.

there were some truly good pieces in this, but what did they build towards? i'm not sure. it was not community, it was not a rallying cry, it was not educational.

i think this could help some readers but i am sadly not one of them.

bottom line: blips of brilliance.

(thanks to the publisher for the arc)

[Traci Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so worried this book would feel trite or too cute, but it is actually really comforting and thoughtful. So many people rose to the occasion to contribute thoughts and reflections that felt like they mattered. Poems, essays, and art. So much more depth than I thought. Yes please.

[Megan | Megan.Reads.Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a moving collection of words and art about an incredibly heartbreaking time in our country.

Thank you to Atria/Washington Square Press for the ARC of The People's Project. These are my honest thoughts.

I know that words can adequately describe a moment, and this collection is a snapshot of this moment in time from many perspectives: black, trans, parents, mothers, having children, raising children, honoring families and legacies, and so much more. There is wisdom in the individual perspectives, and yet there's even more heart in the collective. It's hard to sit and watch a world where the people you love exist, yet the respect, care, and kindness that is human decency is missing.

I had a few favorites among this collection, but the one that's sticking out with me now is the cartoon on Raising the Resistances by Aubrey Hirsch. Her depiction illuminates the crisis of silencing women, and while her cartoon is sad, it's also hopeful. Men may not want us in power, but they will never be able to stop our influence. Men literally need us to be brought into this world. Raise good boys. Marry good men. And speak up.

I typically don't assign a star rating to non-fiction, but as such, I have given this a 5-star rating on Goodreads. It's quality. It's moving. It's powerful. Check it out when it hits shelves on 9/9/2025.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this collection was the most hopeful I'd felt, humanity-wise, in..... I couldn't even tell ya.

The 29 voices we hear from are so influential, so inspiring. No matter your background, there will be 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 to represent facets of 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 in this collection. I can assure you.

My recommendation isn't the full purpose here, I wanna thank Washington Square Press and Atria for this chance to share such strength with my community. The timing is...*phewwww whistle noise*.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐝𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝙞𝙨 𝐝𝐞𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨.

{𝕀𝕟 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕖 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕨?}

Thank you bunches to Atria & all of the authors involved—esp Maggie & Saeed—for the #gifted ARC 🥰

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The People's Project was inspired by post-election conversations between Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith. In this collection of poems, essays, and visual art the reader is asked a vital question: what can we hold onto when our government no longer seems to serve us?

This is a deeply cathartic and resonant anthology. I felt that it perfectly ruminates on what can be done in troubled times while also offering hope and solidarity. It brings together an extraordinary lineup of poets, writers, and artists, arguably an absolute powerhouse of voices - including many of my personal favorites! With such a wide range of contributors and styles, it’s only natural that some pieces resonate more than others, but that variety is part of what makes the collection so rich. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re seeking comfort, inspiration, or renewed conviction.

What stood out most to me was the balance between grief and joy that runs throughout the collection. While much of it is rooted in frustration and loss, it also celebrates community, resilience, and the small but powerful act of choosing to keep going. These works remind readers of the importance of finding one another, of flourishing together, and of resisting despair through creativity and connection.

My favorite pieces included: "Let’s Stay Alive" by Alexander Chee, "Catching the Light" by Joy Harjo, "Transness as Freedom: An Offering" by Chase Strangio, "An Education" by Eula Biss, "Non Citizen" by Jill Damatac, "And But Ugh Yes Ya’ll MMM Yes" by Kiese Laymon, "My Project 2025" by Saeed Jones, "Snail’s Pace: The Art of Cripping Time" by Alice Wong, "Fix Up, Look Sharp" by Marlon James, and "Portrait of Myself as a Boat" by Kay Jones. Each of these pieces offered a distinct perspective, yet contributed to the collection’s shared spirit of endurance and hope. What a beautiful experience this project was!

Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books and Washington Square Press, for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared in this review are my own!

[Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite pieces include:
-"My Own Project 2025" by Maggie Smith
-"An Education" by Eula Bliss
-"And. But. Ugh. Yet. Y'all. Mmm. Yes." by Kiese Laymon

[Cheryl]

Read about this in the ACLU magazine. I'm excited to read it from OKC Metro.
---
Done. Very short. Contemporary - read it now. Also universal & timeless.

I particularly liked Mira Jacob's *You Are Here* - "The beauty that comes out of that fight, the way our love for each other changes the world around us, is real and glorious and unrelenting."

And Koritha Mitchell offers "What if prominent outlets had focused on sharing the stories of white men who supported Kamala Harris?"

[Jordyn Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always hard to rate a nonfiction book but this little compliation of essays and poems about resistance, activism, racism, social justice, and so many other timely topics was really well done! I found myself really relating to several of the poems, the emotions I myself have gone through when figuring out my role in our current political climate, facing my anger and despair in our past few elections, and trying to be a voice of change when everything feels like it is falling apart. This book may be short but it packs a punch and I really loved the different authors and voices included!

Thanks to Atria Books for the free book!

[Richard Propes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. I would also say that it takes a village to be a human. "The People's Project: Poems, Essays and Art for Looking Forward" offers up that village through the presence of twenty-six writers whose words and images, thoughts and challenges chart a path forward in this time of great uncertainty for so many.

Facilitated by Maggie Smith and Saeed Jones, "The People's Project" is inspired by Jones and Smith's post-2024 election conversations. These were conversations guided by thoughts on what we can do, individually and collectively, to work toward being light when even the institutions shine darkness toward us.

I will confess that I initially struggled to get into the communal rhythm of "The People's Project." In fact, I was right around 50% in before I began to deeply resonate with the words, ideas, and energy vibrating throughout the pages. It wasn't that anything was necessarily wrong. If anything, it was, perhaps, a sense that I had become enveloped by my guardedness and I was struggling to embrace the safety within these words.

Then, I reached a piece offered by Jones. I released.

I reached a piece by Alice Wong. I released.

I reached another. Release.

Suddenly, I felt the light being put forth and really began to embrace this project so much so that even as I wound down my time with "The People's Project I began to read it again.

"The People's Project" isn't necessarily about any one thing. Instead, it draws wisdom and hope from different communities. The way forward isn't one thing. It's us. It's all us.

It's enlightened voices familiar and perhaps not as familiar here like Jones, Tiana Clark, Imani Perry, Ada Limon, Joy Harjo, Alice Wong, Jason Silverstein, Randall Man and a host of others.

A relatively quick read, "The People's Project" isn't so much a book to be read as it is a book to be experienced. It's a book you read. Then, it's a book you slowly read. Then, it's a book where you find those spaces where you resonate most deeply and you bathe in them. It's a book that makes you think and feel, release and move forward.

[ella (luniellar) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this thinking I was going to read one or two entries and move on, but I finished it all in one sitting.

The curated collection had such an amazing range of perspectives and experiences. As someone who works in healthcare, the story about population health and how the cause of sickness spreads far and wide into our systemic injustice was my personal favorite.

Each story was so impactful and vulnerable. After each entry, I felt like I had an open heart conversation with these authors. I think there will be at least one story that will move you and you will see pieces of yourself in each one. Truly shows how different, but same we are at the core.

Thank you to Atria/Washington Square Press for the ARC of The People's Project. Please go pick this up, it was uplifting to know we exist during scary times like this.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this e-ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this anthology.

Reading The People’s Project was a delightful experience. I was worried I would feel the hopelessness I so often feel when I think about issues so much larger than myself, but instead I found inspiration, hope, and the privilege of reading very real experiences from the hearts of the authors. In present times when trying to stay informed and empathetic can feel overwhelming and too heartbreaking to bear, these collected works felt like a breath of fresh air for my soul. Ranging from US politics to Palestinian genocide to gender and race discrimination, the authors present you with insight and perspective that’s so desperately needed. I can’t wait to buy a copy of my own and plan to gift it to my friends and family members.

[ThatBookish_deviant · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Rachel Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic collection of poetry and prose.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely collection of talented writers/artists’ work put together over the last year so has very relevant topics. I will be keeping it near to reread pieces.

[Doug Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time of darkness, I found these essays, poems, and musings to be both raw and hopeful.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel a little guilty saying this book found me at the right moment because it’s an Advanced Reader Copy, and most y’all will have to wait until the fall for this one. (Thanks, NetGalley and Washington Square Press, for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.) But it really did. I’ve been feeling so heavy about the world. This collection both shook me by the shoulders to tell me to stop feeling so dispirited and somehow also handed me a cup of tea and told me my grief and sadness are ok, too.

The world is hard in ways that feel both new and shockingly old. This collection—with some real heavy hitters contributing—gets the tone just right. It was inspired by conversations between Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith, which tells folks who follow their work everything they need to know. They built a collection rooted in resistance and love and grief.

Nearly every piece is looking backward and forward to build a case for resilience. And with each contribution being just a couple of pages, it’s accessible and moves quickly through so many layers.

I can’t share the passages I highlighted yet, but there is some real, grounding truth happening in here. I hope folks who are feeling the weight of the escalation of violence happening seemingly everywhere will find this book at the right moment, too.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing this review on a morning where the biggest news is that our president is about to attack a US State with their own National Guard. It's surreal. I've been reading The People's Project in between those spaces in time where I'm not checking in to see what's going down in Los Angeles. The poems and the essays have provided me with the deep breaths that I've needed to take and the reminder that we are not alone, that we can all stand strong if we stand together. I'm not going to go on and on about all of the big names in this book because, to me, that's not what it's about. It's about community and hope. It's about endurance. It's a statement that we will get through this together.
Chances are, when you stumble onto this book, the news of the day may be pretty insane. I recommend buying this book for yourself and keeping it somewhere easily accessible so that it's right there for you when you need to take your own deep breaths. Consider it a kindness to yourself.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology strikes the perfect tone for the current moment. The poems and essays within, written by a variety of wonderful writers like Ada Limón, Marlon James, Joy Harjo, Hala Alyan, and more, as well as the editors Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith, are neither rosily optimistic nor nihilistically doom-filled. Instead they offer realism about the state of the nation, but also a reminder that there are ways to face it, and that facing it is a thing worth doing.

From Koritha Mitchell’s assertion that highlighting solidarity not only between marginalized groups but also acknowledging it from the in-group can motivate further solidarity (and reminding us that those members of the dominant group who do not want solidarity have a vested interest in pushing the narrative that that solidarity is not there in any measure), to Abi Maxwell’s stories of small acts of kindness in her community even in the time of anti-trans legislation affecting her daughter, to Maggie Smith’s recounting of her original idea for the anthology, a defiant response to Project 2025 that refuses to bend to hate and fear, this collection is fantastically curated, beautifully written across the board, and exactly what we need.

[Courtney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow—this was everything I needed and then some! This collection of poems, essays, meditations, and art is a powerful reminder that what we need most in these times is community and coming together. I cherished every single entry.

I first received an ARC from Atria and immediately began reading 1–2 pieces each morning. It quickly became a ritual I never wanted to end. I was also lucky enough to attend one of the tour events, where several contributors read from their work. Hearing the pieces aloud brought them to life in a whole new way and as Saeed Jones joked, it truly was “the most fun I’ve had talking about fascism.”

After that, I knew I needed the audiobook, with its incredible full-cast narration. Listening to the authors read their own words while continuing my daily ritual of a few entries at a time was such a rich, layered experience. This book was everything I hoped for and more. I can’t believe it’s over, and honestly, I’ll probably start it over again.

Atria also generously shared multiple ARC copies with me to distribute with my community, which I’ve shared both among friends and through Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. I can’t wait for more people to experience the power, hope, and community this anthology holds. If you are struggling with the current weight of the world, do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

[Janereads10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The People's Project" arrives precisely when we need it most—a compact anthology with impact far exceeding its size. I typically pace through collections, but this one demanded to be devoured in one sitting. The contributors' voices form a powerful chorus of resistance that feels like finding your tribe during uncertain times.

Standout pieces include Alexander Chee's survival manifesto "Let's All Stay Alive," Maggie Smith's revolutionary "My Own Project 2025" with its rejection of self-abandonment, Imani Perry's tear-inducing "Weathered Hands," and Aubrey Hirsch's relatable comic "Raising Resistance."

What distinguishes this collection is its timeless relevance beyond our current political climate. These aren't just responses to turmoil—they're practical strategies wrapped in beautiful language.

The anthology's true strength lies in its honesty. It offers no false comfort, only the profound reassurance that we aren't alone in our fears, anger, or determination. For readers seeking both solace and motivation, these diverse perspectives provide essential wisdom: hope isn't just comforting—it's necessary for survival.

Special thanks to Atria Books for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.

[Iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this as children are being kidnapped from their parents and forced into detention centers. As the military industrial complex uses tax dollars to commit genocide. As the U.S. vs Skrmetti case rules trans people can't have access to healthcare.

I asked myself: how can I look forward when I can barely imagine what tomorrow will look like? But as soon as I had this thought, I realize that imperialism has won and I've become their pawn and submissive subject. Therefore, I think it was perfect timing that I received an ARC from NetGalley for this book.

It can be cliche or possibly even privileged to say that joy is what will win the revolution, but this collection of writing truly reminds me of the need to keep joy and love, especially in times of hopelessness. I have always felt motivated and inspired by Saeed Jones works, and was extra escatic to see Alice Wong, Danez Smith, and Chase Strangio also contributed pieces of writing. I cannot wait for this book to come out in print so I can recommend it to other loved ones and fellow community members in the fight for justice.

[Jay Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

The People’s Project is a timely collection that resonates perfectly with our current moment. This collection serves as a reminder not to feel discouraged, while also acknowledging that it’s okay to grieve the “what could have been” and to create space for our sadness.

Featuring the work of 26 different authors, this collection was inspired by post-election conversations between our curators, Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith. It includes a diverse range of pieces, from poems to essays, along with some graphic art. All contributions focus on what we can hold onto individually and collectively, as well as what we can work toward.

In these heavy and uncertain times, this collection provides both inspiration and a sense of validation, reminding us, “I see you.”

Thank you to Atria for the ARC of this collection! The People’s Project will be available everywhere on September 9, 2025. Be sure to preorder your copy today!

[Cathy VanLear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Jones/Smith for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of People’s Project: Poems, Essays, and Art for Looking Forward.

Upon receiving this Goodreads Giveaway, I was concerned about the hopelessness I might feel over issues larger than myself; the turmoil in the world today. However, these 29 voices cover activism, social justice, resistance, racism, and many more timely topics through poems, essays, and art with such depth and insight, that given collectively, pack a powerful punch!

People’s Project may be short but is filled with hope, sharing ways to survive and thrive in today’s climate through wisdom, insight, and shared perspectives. Each voices is raw, open, and resilient.

Individual contributions are brief and easily accessible … moving you through many layers, offering time for pausing and thinking and feeling, and then moving forward. People’s Project is not a book to simple be read but to be experienced.

[Mallory (onmalsshelf) Bartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

90 pages of everything I needed right now.

Short and highly giftable, Saeed and Maggie have put together a fantastic anthology in this small bind up.

I could have easily devoured this in one sitting, but settled for 40 pages in the first and 50 in the other.

Thank you to Washington Square Press for this copy

[kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. It's everything I needed to see, hear, and think about when I feel hopeless or scared or cynical. Thank god for poets. I don't know how I'd make it through the hard times (and more deeply appreciate the good times) without them.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was part inspiration for this difficult time we are living in and part an awakening to other people’s perspectives. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who isn’t sure why people are protesting.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoy essays more than poetry. My favorites in this collection are For Hope by Abi Maxwell, Non-Citizen by Jill Damatac and Portrait of Myself as a Boat by Kay Jones.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these were great and others kinda 'meh', which is - I think - pretty normal for a collection. Disappointingly though I also felt a few of these came across rather entitled.

[Sandra 🎀✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Nic specjalnego