Sonoma County teens are invited to try their hands at a slam this weekend.

A teen poetry slam will be held Saturday as part of the Sonoma County Book Festival in Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa.

Participants will perform original poetry in three minutes or less. Audience members will choose who advances.

“One of the things that takes the poet over the top is the performance itself,” said Juanita Martin, the event organizer. “You are not up there reading. You are really impressive if you can do it from memory and bring that same energy to the piece itself.”

Participants must be ages 13 through 19 and should arrive with pre-prepared, original work.

First prize is $75, second is $50.

There is no entry fee.

Registration begins at 2 p.m. at Café Azul, 521 Fourth Street. The competition runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The book festival is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a children’s area and loads of author talks and panels. For more information on the Sonoma County Book Festival, go to http://www.socobookfest.org/