Believing that Poets undervalue themselves in the creative marketplace, The Madame, and right-hand man Tennessee Pink, set up the Poetry Brothel in order to confirm in writers the literal monetary value of their work, and also to present Poetry in its more natural form - intimate and sensual over the more standard formal and jilted reading. The collective is made up of 'Poetry Whores' who ply their trade at specially arranged events, dressed in turn of the century dress, in character. The creation of character, as both disguise and freeing device enables the Poetry Brothel to be a place of uninhibited creative expression, where both whore and John can be themselves in private.