Updated 9/19/22

There are many great literary events around Indiana. Looking for something to do?  Below are just a few ideas.

Many events are virtual. Please confirm with the venue for scheduled events listed here.

To be featured in our “Literary Events Around Indiana” monthly events blog, email the details to mail@indianawriters.org.

Taggart Concert & Performance Series: Sounds like BUTTER

September 2 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm EDT

This free concert and performance series on Friday nights features diverse musical acts, poetry readings, and dance.

Taggart Memorial Ampitheater

1856 Burdsal Parkway
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Writing Our Stories with Bradbury

The Ray Bradbury Center is teaming up with Genesis Art & Design magazine to facilitate a writing/reading workshop at the Indy State Library on September 10.

Check out this event!

Butler Visiting Writers Series: Maurice Broaddus

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 @ 7:30PM at Shelton Auditorium

This event is free and open to the public, no tickets required.

Award Winning Writer, Editor, and Afrofuturist at Kheprw Institute

An accidental teacher (at the Oaks Academy Middle School), an accidental librarian (the School Library Manager which is part of the IndyPL Shared System), and a purposeful community organizer (resident Afrofuturist at the Kheprw Institute), Maurice Broaddus’ work has appeared in such places as Magazine of F&SF, Lightspeed Magazine, Black Panther: Tales from Wakanda, Weird Tales, and Uncanny Magazine, with some of his stories having been collected in The Voices of Martyrs. His novels include the science fiction novel, Sweep of Stars, the steampunk novel, Pimp My Airship and Buffalo Soldier; and the middle grade detective novel series, Unfadeable and The Usual Suspects. He’s an editor at Apex Magazine. His gaming work includes writing for the Marvel Super-Heroes, Leverage, and Firefly role-playing games as well as working as a consultant on Watch Dogs 2. Learn more about him at MauriceBroaddus.com.

For more information about the Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series, please visit the website.

A series of readings from playwright Jeremy Karaken

Tuesday September 20^th 7:00: a reading of Jeremy Kareken’s new play The Red Wool. Our bar will be open, and a discussion will follow the reading. 

Wednesday September 21^st 7:00: a reading of Jeremy Kareken’s new play The Snatchening. Same cast, same drill, totally different play.

Thursday September 22nd: a Trail Talk with Indy Star reporters Shari Rudavsky and Rachel Fradette. They broke the story of the 10-year-old rape victim that traveled to Indy for a legal abortion and were accused by Todd Rokita of inventing the whole thing. Moderated by Cindy Collier and also featuring playwright Jeremy Kareken, this Trail Talk lines up thematically with The Lifespan of a Fact. The Talk begins at 5:30pm. Those staying for the 7:30 performance of Lifespan will receive $5 off the ticket price.

AND following the Friday September 23^rd performance of Lifespan, Jeremy will participate in a post-show discussion.

*All of the readings & talks are FREE to attend and will take place in the Basile studio theater at the historic Athenaeum

“As I Recall” Storytelling Guild

“Take Command of your Day” and night at our next As I Recall Storytelling Guild. The next virtual meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7:00 p.m. It’s a welcoming environment for storytellers of all skill levels.  

One State / One Story Community Read: World of Wonders by

Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Indiana Humanities’ One State / One Story program invites Hoosiers to engage deeply with a book as part of a statewide conversation tied to our current theme.

Check out these programs!

September 7 – 28 Reading Like a Writer: A Facebook group that offers weekly discussions and writing prompts based on World of Wonders, all in a safe, friendly atmosphere.

–October 1st Book Discussion at IWC: Join IWC faculty member, Lydia Johnson, for a book discussion on the World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Be sure to register soon to receive a free copy of the book. The first 8 registrations will receive a free book!

–October 15 Poetry Workshop at Garfield Park Arts Center In this interactive workshop, we will start by practicing a series of writing strategies for observing and describing the environment. Then, by reading and discussing the work of contemporary writers, we will learn techniques for incorporating research, writing with maps, and working with collaborators. Throughout the workshop, we will discuss how adapting models of scientific inquiry can lead to innovative literary forms. Participants will come away from the workshop with several poem drafts and techniques for creating a sustained writing practice.

“Translating Wor(l)ds” IWC in partnership with IndyReads

Social Justice Writing Workshop w/ Indy Youth Poet Laureate Charlotte Yeung

The second installment of KVML’s Social Justice Writing Club is on September 24th. Join Indianapolis Youth Poet Laureate in a writing workshop dedicated to exploring your poetic voice. Write poems in response to exploration of KVML, discuss how to use writing to talk about climate change, receive feedback on poems, and tips to finalize and perform poems. Attendees are encouraged to stay and participate in KVML’s Youth Writing Program salon in the afternoon.

The Indiana Youth Poet Laureate program is looking for its 2023 Youth Poet Laureate. All Hoosiers ages 13-19 are eligible to apply. Application must be sent by November 1st, 2022. Link is here:

Charlotte Yeung is a bestselling author, former English tutor for Afghan refugees, and 2022 Indy Youth Poet Laureate.

Uncensored: Voices of a Generation

Join the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library on Saturday, September 24 for an afternoon in celebration of young voices and storytelling as part of their Banned Books Month.

The reception includes a reading with Indy Youth Poet Laureate Charlotte Yeung and Shortridge High School students. Anthony Murdock II of Circle City Storytellers will also speak to the importance of telling your story. KVML’s Youth Writing Program Director, Chris Speckman, will give an update on the state of the program and discuss the future of the Youth Writing Program.

An Evening on the Farm with Indiana Poet Laureate, Matthew Graham

Tri-State Creation Care and Seton Harvest are proud to present celebrated poet and Evansville resident, Matthew Graham, for an evening surrounded by nature on the farm. Graham will share and discuss selections of his poetry under the shelter house and stars at Seton Harvest. Listeners will be invited to experience the timelessness of moments, captured in Graham’s rich yet simple descriptions, and perhaps, reconnect with their own memories of places and times in the past.

Matthew Graham is the author of four collections of poetry and is the recipient of awards and fellowships from the Academy of American Poets, Pushcart, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Vermont Studio Center. Graham is a Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Southern Indiana and is the current Indiana State Poet Laureate. He is married to the painter Katie Waters.

SEPTEMBER 24

Gates Open: 5:30
Farm Tours: 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Reading & Talk: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Book Signing/Conversation until 8:30 pm
Cost: Free (Cash Donations Accepted)

StoryTelling Arts of Indiana “Kaleidoscope of Stories”

 Thanks to funding from The Indianapolis Foundation, we’re partnering with Indy Public Library to bring 30-minute 

“From Affrilachia to South America: Stories from Our Culture and Community” told by Carolina Quiroga and Lyn Ford

September 24 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Visit Storytelling Arts of Indiana for more information and ticket purchases

Speed City Sisters in Crime Guest Speaker

Forensic Expert Ashley Luther

Ashley Luther is Forensic Biologist and supervisor for the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Indianapolis. She conducts casework in serology, DNA, and bloodstain pattern interpretation. She has been with the ISP laboratory for 14 years and was a casework analyst for the Utah State Crime Laboratory for two years prior to hiring on in Indiana.  While in Utah, she was also a member of the Crime Scene Response Team.  She has testified more than 40 times throughout the state and has completed more than 1,000 cases. She has presented at several conferences and trainings across the country and is the current training coordinator for the Indiana State Police Laboratory. In 2020, she was selected as the Forensic Scientist of the Year for the Indiana State Police. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola Marymount University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Forensic Biology from the University of the Southwest. When she’s not working, she loves to spend time with her husband, three kids, three dogs, 2 cats, and her Swiss foreign exchange student.

Get tickets for this event at Eventbrite.

Double Book Launch!

Writers Helping Writers

Hancock County Public Library has a writing group that meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Join us!

Brick Street Poetry

Off the Bricks, a Poetry on Brick Street Podcast

Poetry on Brick Street Series

We meet the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, 225 West Hawthorne Street, Zionsville, IN 46077.

The next month’s Guest Poet: Poets from the Haiku for Hikers anthology reading with accompanying PowerPoint.

Irving Theater Weekly Poetry Open Mic

Every Thursday night
7:00p – 9:00 PM EST
LOCAL POETS * ORIGINAL POETRY * COME READ OR LISTEN]

A completely nonjudgmental and safe space to share poetry! Every Thursday on the deck at the Irving Theater in the Summer, inside all Winter. Performances are broadcast live on our Facebook page (link below). Come enjoy original poetry and readings from local and regional artists, or present your own poetry.

This event is free.

FACEBOOK LIVE LINK  
For more information, visit the Irving Theater’s website

Books & Brews Open Mic