Calendar of Events

March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
Ongoing

Dates, locations, and times are subject to change. Some workshops or events may charge a fee. Contact us to submit your event.

March

March 1, 2026 Salon Reading Series: “Shakespeare’s Skull”
Turbine Flats, Resonator Gallery, 2124 Y St.
Lincoln, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Each Salon Reading Series event features a reading of a play followed by a moderated discussion of the play’s themes and how these themes apply to the community. The theme for 2025-26 is “Find Your Place.” This month's feature is Shakespeare’s Skull by Rich Rubin, aa comedy based on a legend – a legend that may be closer to truth than to fiction.
March 3, 2026 Book Launch: Carolyn Zeisset "Caught in the Middle"
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Join us as we welcome back author and historian Carolyn Zeisset as she presents her newest novel for kids and adults, Caught in the Middle, a story about twelve-year-old Alice who is caught between childhood and adulthood, changing women’s roles, and World War I America and a German-speaking, peace-church heritage. The novel follows Alice as she must decide who she is.
March 3, 2026 Kim McNealy Sosin Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Kim McNealy Sosin’s poems evoke small-town Nebraska in the ’40s and ’50s—childhood joys, family ties, and the bittersweet truths of growing up.
March 4, 2026 Visiting Writer Series - Tyler Jacobs
Northeast Community College, Union 73 Coffee Shop, 801 E Benjamin Ave.
Norfolk, 4:00 pm
Tyler Michael Jacobs is the author of The Weight of Drought and Building Brownville. His words have appeared in Passages North, Variant Literature, Plainsongs, Pidgeonholes, Sierra Nevada Review, and elsewhere. His poems have also been featured on Nebraska Public Media’s Friday LIVE. He received his MFA from Bowling Green State University.
March 5, 2026 Verse & Vibes
Indigo Cottage Crafts, 2063 Creekside Dr.
Papillion, 6:30 pm
An open mic at an artsy space full of good vibes, and not just because of the coffee and liquor bar ;). Open to poets, authors, writers, musicians, anyone who has talent to share. Everyone is welcome. Free event. Jules Coral, MC.
March 6, 2026 First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Katherine Wela Bogen
Zoom, 12:00 pm
Join Katherine Wela Bogen, who in her own words says she is “first, a storyteller; second, a scholar-activist; and third, a joyful little freak.” In her propulsive debut novel, Queering Him, Bogen chronicles the scalding-hot story of millennial enemies turned lovers Avra and Kieran.
March 8, 2026 Nebraska Poet Project Exhibit Grand Opening
The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, 306 W. Elm St.
Bancroft, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Featuring Jewel Rogers, Nebraska State Poet; Matt Mason, Nebraska State Poet 2019-2024; and Zedeka Poindexter, performance poet and co-executive director of the Nebraska Writers Collective; at the grand opening of the Nebraska Poet Project exhibit by artist Stephanie Meisterling.
March 11 - April 15, 2026 What's Your American Story? A Writing Workshop with Matt Mason
La Vista Public Library, 9110 Giles Rd.
La Vista, Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Participants will examine their connections with the founding of the United States through an exploration of the written word. With the help of the instructor, participants will put pen to paper using their personal stories to create poems and other written works. At the end of the seven weeks, a public reception and reading will be held. Enrolling commits you to attending the full seven week course. Workshop is for ages 55+, registration is free. Enroll by March 7.
March 13, 2026 Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic with Rasaq Malik
St Mark’s on the Campus, 1309 R St.
Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Guests may study, write, read, relax, sit, talk, and generally socialize with friends over coffee, tea, and other beverages from opening at 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm when Rasaq Malik will feature. If time remains, Open Mic will will follow until closing.
March 14, 2026 Poetry Writing Workshop: Spring Into Nature Through Verse
Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Omaha, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Joining the natural world with the written word is the focus of this workshop, which is a perfect time to wake up with the spring season. We will ease the greening of the world with the greening of our poetry. Bring your green thumbs, or just an appreciation of Mother Nature and all that she provides us with! Led by Julie Paschold. Pre-registration is required.
March 14, 2026 In Good Company: A Community Renga and Paper Art Workshop
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Renga is a classical Japanese form of poetry from which the beloved and well-known haiku was derived. In the first half of this workshop, Henry Zander will introduce participants to this fascinating type of poetry and provide an experience in writing one. It's half-game, half-poetry, and all very good community fun. We'll cover the basics via Hiroaki Sato's One-Hundred Frogs, get into the weeds, back out of them, and end with a paper art project to display our mutual efforts. In the second half of the workshop, Sally Cox will share techniques of folding, cutting, and glueing paper to create fun pop-up structures. Participants will make several different projects to take home, and to contribute to a community project.
March 14, 2026 Book Launch: Alison Pearce Stevens – "When Beavers Move In"
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Join us as we welcome back beloved children’s author Alison Pearce Stevens as she brings hands on demonstrations to dive us into the world of her newest book When Beavers Move In!
March 19, 2026 Writers in Conversation - Third Thursday with Shyla Ann Shehan and Julie McCabe-Johanning
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Each month Writers in Conversation invites two writers at differing stages of their writing career to share their work and engage one another in conversation about the craft of creative writing. The conversation is then opened to the entire audience for a lively discussion of all things literary. Join for discussion between writers Shyla Ann Shehan and Julie McCabe-Johanning.
March 19, 2026 Virtual Author Series: Garrett Peck - "The Bright Edges of the World: Willa Cather and Her Archbishop"
Zoom, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Deepen your understanding of one of Willa Cather’s most celebrated novels! In The Bright Edges of the World, Garrett Peck explores how Cather’s travels to the Southwest inspired her writing. She visited the Southwest six times between 1912 and 1926, and from these journeys came three novels, the last of which was Death Comes for the Archbishop. Through Cather’s letters, postcards, articles, and interviews, Peck traces how integral travel was to Cather’s imagination while highlighting the vital contribution that Cather’s longtime partner, Edith Lewis, made to the story.
March 19, 2026 Writes of Passage
UNO's Criss Library, 6401 S University Dr Rd N.
Omaha, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Prepare to be moved, inspired, and electrified at the only spoken word event in Nebraska dedicated solely to the art of expression. This isn’t just another open mic night—it’s a celebration of storytelling and raw emotion, where voices from all walks of life take center stage. Hosted in the intimate and immersive setting where every performance feels personal. Whether you're a longtime lover of spoken word or a curious newcomer, this event guarantees an unforgettable night of connection and creativity. Featuring Sam Nichols and Allen Stevenson as MCs.
March 20, 2026 Spoken Word, Featured Reading and Open Mic
The Ellery, 1247 S 11th St.
Lincoln, 7:00 pm
A spoken word featured reading and open mic hosted by Esman Rodas Calderon. After the event, you're invited to join Write After, a writing group that meets around the conclusion of this event, around 8:30 or 9:00. This month's theme is "Beginner's Luck: Poetry slam".
March 23-26, 2026 All Writes Reserved Youth Poetry Festival Preliminary Bouts
UNL City Campus, Swanson Auditorium, 1400 R St.
Lincoln, 5:30 & 7:30
All Writes Reserved empowers young people, giving them instruction and resources to express themselves in classrooms and onstage. At the end of each school year, the Nebraska Writers Collective hosts our spoken word poetry festival where students share what they’ve been working on throughout the season. These events run March 23-April 28 with high schools and middle schools competing in a team poetry slam competition.
March 28, 2026 The Poets’ “Little Song”: 800 Years of Sonnets from Medieval Sicily to the American Midwest with Alison Lubar
Zoom, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Travel through 800 years of sonnets in this lively history-meets-poetry workshop! From Petrarch to Terrance Hayes, explore how poets have reinvented the “little song” across centuries—and discover fresh ways to write your own sonnets that sing to today’s world.
March 30-31, 2026 All Writes Reserved Youth Poetry Festival Preliminary Bouts
Revive Center, 2402 Lizzie Robinson Ave.
Omaha, 5:30 & 7:30
All Writes Reserved empowers young people, giving them instruction and resources to express themselves in classrooms and onstage. At the end of each school year, the Nebraska Writers Collective hosts our spoken word poetry festival where students share what they’ve been working on throughout the season. These preliminary bout events run March 23-April 28 with high schools and middle schools competing in a team poetry slam competition.

April

March 30-31, 2026 All Writes Reserved Youth Poetry Festival Preliminary Bouts
The Dock at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave.
Omaha, 5:30 & 7:30
All Writes Reserved empowers young people, giving them instruction and resources to express themselves in classrooms and onstage. At the end of each school year, the Nebraska Writers Collective hosts our spoken word poetry festival where students share what they’ve been working on throughout the season. These preliminary bout events run March 23-April 28 with high schools and middle schools competing in a team poetry slam competition.

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

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Ongoing

Lincoln

Lincoln City Library Book Groups
All of the groups are free and open to the public. Just drop in at one of the gatherings or call the branch location if you need more information.
Romancing the Tome: A Romance Reader Book Club
This is an in-person book club for readers of romance. Join for book of the month discussions, book swaps, bookish discussions, and book shopping trips.
One Book One Lincoln
Various activities. Inviting Lincoln to read and discuss the same book. Become a fan on Facebook.
Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic
Crescent Moon Coffee, The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln, NE, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Poetry & prose open mic - hosted by Jeff Martinson. Every Wednesday night, sign up begins at 6:30 pm.
Pop in Storytime
Morrill Hall, 645 N. 14th St, Lincoln, NE
Through stories, songs, and movement, come learn more about the natural world. Everyone is invited to participate, however stories and activities are planned for children ages 3-5.
Lincoln Poetry Slam
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE
A monthly open mic and poetry slam, held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 pm. Begins with an open mic, and then the competitive individual slam! Sign up at the event. (If you plan to compete in the slam, bring three poems.)

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Various

NEWISH Poetry Slam
NOMA, 2510 N 24th St, Omaha, NE
Presented by the Nebraska Writers Collective and hosted by Zedeka Poindexter. Registration is $10, Grand prize is $100. Last Thursday of each month.
Book Club for Adults
Grand Island Public Library, 1124 W 2nd St, Grand Island, NE
Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 5:30 pm. Click here for the 2024 book selections.
Bygone Book Club
Grand Island Public Library, 1124 W 2nd St, Grand Island, NE
Local historians lead book discussions at 11:00 am on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Click here to see the title selection.
Toddler & Preschool Storytime
Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE
Come enjoy stories geared for ages every Thursday. Readings for ages 0-2 starting at 9:30 am and readings for ages starting at 10:30 am.
Open Book Club
Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Ave, Kearney, NE
This library-sponsored group is open to everyone ages 18 or older. No registration is required and the group meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30 pm. Contact the library for more information.
Between the Lines Book Club
Saddlebrook Branch, 14851 Laurel Ave, Omaha, NE
Meets the 1st Friday of the month at 10:30 am. Registration is required.
Omaha Public Library Book Clubs
Omaha Public Library hosts book clubs at most library locations. OPL book clubs typically meet monthly and are facilitated by OPL staff.
Nebraska Writers Workshop
Ralston Baright Public Library, 5555 South 77th St, Ralston, NE
Every Wednesday. First & Third Wednesdays are in-person meetings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Second and Fourth Wednesdays are Zoom meetings starting at 7:00 pm.

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Calendar of Events

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Ongoing

Lincoln

Various

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