Calendar of Events
- January |
- February |
- 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.
January
- January 10, 2025
Poetry at the Lion: Matt Mason
St. Mark's on the Campus Episcopal Church, 1309 R St.
Lincoln, 5:30 - 7:45 pm
Each month, a featured poet will read from their works and shape the evening’s experience. Poetry lovers can stop on their way to eat out or bring a brown bag meal and stay for the whole evening. Light refreshments will be provided. The featured poet for January is Matt Mason. As of 2025, he stepped away from being Nebraska State Poet Laureate for five years. Mason has written about fatherhood, relationships, religion and the Bible, and themes of Midwest and Great Plains life. - January 14, 2025
Ready, Set, Go: The Art of Better Writing with Brenda Jackson
Zoom, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
This 90-minute interactive workshop, facilitated by the renowned New York Times and USA Today Award winning romance author Brenda Jackson, is designed to help aspiring writers tap into their creativity and begin crafting their own love stories. Whether you're interested in writing fiction or non-fiction, this workshop will guide you through the process of turning your ideas into compelling narratives. - January 16, 2025
Vocal Fry
Shirley Tyree Theater, 2401 N 24th St.
Omaha, 6:00 pm
Vocal Fry is normally on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Jewel Rodgers and Nathan Lachner, MCs. Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. - January 25, 2025
The Poem's Interior Landscape
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Discover how the landscapes you've lived in shape your thoughts and creativity. In this workshop, we'll explore the connection between the physical world and your inner life, and learn to transform your experiences into poetry. Let your surroundings inspire your words! Led by Jessica Poli. - January 25, 2025
Visiting Author: Kevin Shinn "A Different Metaphor: Faith That Imagines The Impossible"
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S 13th St.
Lincoln, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Nebraska author Kevin Shinn will be signing copies of his new book "A Different Metaphor: Faith That Imagines The Impossible" and will share his story about the circumstances around which his book was conceived.
February
- February 4, 2025
Lisa Fay Coutley Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Host explores parasitic relationships — between men and women, sons and mothers, and humans and the earth — and considers their consequences. How much control do we have over our lives? To what extent are we being controlled? - February 22, 2025
Hybridity: Poems that Cross the Line with MK Chavez
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
By engaging with the fluid and transformative nature of hybrid forms, we’ll delve into how our identities can be authentically reflected in our writing. Participants will create works that capture the richness of their experiences, exploring themes of identity, place, and the self in all its dimensons. Led by MK Chavez.
March
- March 4, 2025
Elizabeth Clark Wessel Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Wessel unspools layers of mythology—of places, people, historical and ahistorical time—and finds their entanglements with everyday life, revealing marvelous influences encoded in the ordinary. - March 8, 2025
Poetry Meets Memoir with Anastacia Renee
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Discover the art of blending poetry and memoir in this genre-bending workshop. Explore collective and personal stories, memories, and folklore as we weave together the Haibun and Nines forms, transforming fragmented memories into powerful first drafts. Led by Anastacia Renee.
April
- April 1, 2025
Steve Langan Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Modern-day parables that take stock of our society at the turn of the century. Steve Langan lived in Omaha for many years and now he lives in Maine. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, where he received the James Michener Postgraduate Fellowship. - April 5, 2025
From Rage to Page: The Role of Anger in Poetry of Witness
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
A workshop to channel your fury into powerful poetry! We will explore the evolution of poetry of witness and the response poem. Together, we'll embrace righteous indignation and write against the forces of oppression. This is not fine—let’s whine, resist, and create! Led by Raena Shirali.
May
- May 6, 2025
Jeff Alessandrelli Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Jeff's poetry interrogates how deep senselessness runs in a post-truth and truthiness world. Jeff Alessandrelli is most recently the author of the book "And Yet". The Kenyon Review called his 2019 poetry collection "Fur Not Light" an “example of radical humility…its poems enact a quiet but persistent empathy in the world of creative writing.” - May 17, 2025
The Others with Kiara Nicole Letcher
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Discover the eerie in poetry! This workshop explores poems that deal with the supernatural. We’ll unveil hidden meanings in the seen and unseen, then craft your own paranormal verses. Join us for a journey beyond the ordinary and into the world of peculiar poetry. Led by Kiara Nicole Letcher.
June
- June 3, 2025
John Brehm Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Brehm’s poems explore the darkest and brightest moments of our lives. Some show a path forward and others simply acknowledge and empathize with where we are, but all touch deep inside our hearts and into a greater connection with the world around us. - June 14, 2025
Playlist: Turning Songs Into Poetry
Zoom, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Turn the songs that shaped you into poems. Some songs are a way of time travel where we listen to a song from our youth and hear it both right now and in those moments years ago. In this workshop, we'll explore how those moments spark with memory and experience. Led by Matt Mason.
July
- July 1, 2025
Hadara Bar-Nadav Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Hadara Bar-Nadav's latest book casts spells and confronts illusions, ignites grief and awe, and challenges our assumptions about what it means to heal our bodies, our families, and our shared histories.
August
- August 5, 2025
Janice N. Harrington Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Harrington writes descriptive, lyrical, and experimental poems that speak to the Black American Imagination in all its multiplicity, advocating for a future that celebrates pleasure and self-fulfillment within Black communities.
September
- September 2, 2025
Jewel Rodgers Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Rodgers spoken word poetry is electric and engaging. Her poetry inspires audiences to dig into the wells of our lives for beauty and connection.
October
- October 7, 2025
Mary K. Stillwell Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
One of Stillwell's poetry collections explores the murder of two women, another celebrates the power of imagination. Her work covers a broad range of topics, from lyrical to narrative, and always captivating.
November
- November 4, 2025
Charles Fort Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Fort’s poetry demonstrates, unequivocally, that he is a master of his craft. By turns surreal, tender, terrifying, absurd, and soulful, Fort’s work churns with passionate, forceful expression.
November
Ongoing
Lincoln
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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. -
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.)
Various
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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.
Related Links
- Links to other book-related calendars
- Events sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book
- Library of Congress Center for the Book compendium of One Book projects, book fairs, storytelling festivals and other literary events across the U.S. and around the world
- Library calendar posted by the Nebraska Library Commission
- Lincoln City Libraries programs and events
- Omaha Public Library calendar of library events
- Nebraska event information from The Poetry Menu
- National Storytelling Network Calendar
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America upcoming book fairs and events