In a rowdy bar, Jake Thompson rants in a “poetry slam” contest where poems are read competitively. Later, Jake meets Marni Elliot, a publisher looking for new poets. Although they are attracted to each other, the poet and the business woman agree to keep it 'business' between them. It doesn't work. Alone, they begin tearing each other’s clothes off but Marni has a dark secret that destroys the budding relationship. The publisher and the poet agree to continue working together on Jake's poetry. In the L.A. Poetron Slam competition where he must win to gain a publishing deal, Jake faces David Settles, Marni's ex-boyfriend who will stop at nothing to beat him. Searching his mind, Jake finds a place in himself from where emotions and poetry spring.