One Bathurst poet that will be competing in Sophie L Meredith, who qualified for the NSW finals last year after winning last year's Bathurst Poetry Slam, with Alice Blackwood in second and John Song third.

At this year's event, poets have two minutes to inspire the judges, who are randomly selected from the crowd, with their original lyrics, poetry, stories, raps or whatever they choose do with their words.

Ms Meredith, who has already penned her first book We're Going Ahead Without You, is keen to compete in the tournament once again in 2019.

"This is a slam performance which is different to just a normal poetry recital reading. It's timed, there's no script and it has to engage the crowd," she said.

"This year, you have to have a different poem for every round."

Ms Meredith finished third in the NSW final, missing out on the national leg of tournament by one placing.

The Bathurst Poetry Slam will be held at the Bathurst Library on Thursday, August 15, starting at 6.30pm.

The two highest scoring slammers will qualify for the NSW final on Saturday, October 19, with the two best writers representing each state and territory to battle it out the next night at the national final at the Sydney Opera House.

For more information on the slam, email kylie.shead@bathurst.nsw.gov.au.