Jenny Powell has written two poetry chapbooks, two collaborative collections and six individual collections of poetry. Her poems have been finalists in the Aesthetica Creative Works Competition, the UK Mslexia Poetry Competition, the UK Plough Poetry Prize, and the Wales Poetry Prize. Her theatre work Montecillo Child had its debut season at Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum, and her cross-genre piece Alive in Berlin had its debut season in the 2017 Dunedin Fringe Festival. She is an experienced teacher at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Powell is the City of Literature South D Poet Lorikeet. In this role she has promoted literacy and literature, wellness and wonder, and acquaintance with poetry through community workshops for various ages. Outcomes have included a series of vibrant collaborative publications in conjunction with the City of Literature.