Updated 2/7/22

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.

Voices! First Thursday Night with #NationalYouthPoetLaureate

Alyssa is the 2022 National Youth Poet Laureate—a program of Urban Word—and Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of Indianapolis—a program sponsored by Voices Corp.

Alyssa will perform some of her poetic pieces from her growing body of work that has led her to be featured in Scholastic’s Best Teen Writing, on NPR, and at the Kennedy Center. You can watch her Kennedy Center performance here. Be inspired by her poetic journey as a writer and learn how you can be an author and poet.

$6 Admission Feb 2, 4 – 8 PM at the Children’s Museum

IndyReads Welcomes Lindsey Frazier

Neil’s YA Book Club at Morganstern Books

Brightlane Learning Book Club Hosted by the IDEA Committee

Join our book club as we come together, learn, and have candid conversations about poverty and systemic issues in America.

About this Event: Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City by Andrea Elliott follows eight dramatic years in the life of Dasani, a girl whose imagination is as soaring as the skyscrapers near her Brooklyn shelter.

Book Club Meeting Dates: Join the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness) Committee on the first Tuesday of every month starting in February as we discuss this Pulitzer Prize Winner nonfiction book and engage in larger conversations surrounding poverty and systemic issues in America. Each meeting will correspond with a section of the book.

• Tues, Feb 7 – Part 1
• Tues, March 7 – Part 2
• Tues, April 4 – Part 3
• Tues, June 6 – Part 4
• Tues, July 11 – Part 5
• Tues, August 1 – Part 6
• Tues, September 12 – Part 7

Meetings will be from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Brightlane Learning office at 2955 N Meridian Street Ste 250, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Light refreshments will be served. This book club is free and open to anyone.

In-person attendance is highly encouraged. However, there will be a virtual Zoom option for those who are unable to make it to our office space.

Please note: your attendance is welcomed even if you have not yet read the corresponding section of the book we will be discussing or were unable to attend a previous meeting.

Charlotte Zietlow: Author Talk and book signing

Sat Feb 11th 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Morgenstern Books, 849 S Auto Mall Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401

A talk with the grande dame of Bloomington politics, the legendary Charlotte T. Zietlow.

In her new book, 1971: How We Won, Charlotte Zietlow recounts the history of her first run for office. The memoir is a 220-page look back at the momentous election that permanently changed the politics and governance of our city.

The Twin Poets “From Lips, to Ears, to Action”

Sat Feb 11 2023 at 7:00 pm

Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St

Presented by Storytelling Arts of Indiana

See the show in person at Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center or watch the livestream from home.

Read more about the Twin Poets and get your tickets

Hoosier H Arts

Sat, February 11, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site 1230 North Delaware Street Indianapolis, IN 46202

The night will begin in the welcome center where guests will enjoy wine and non-alcoholic beverages hors d’oeuvres and live music. Guests will then move into the residence where they will hear a live reading of a selection of moving Civil War love letters between Benjamin and Caroline Scott Harrison poetry written by some of our country’s most prominent Black Poets and readings by some of Indiana’s up and coming poets. It will most certainly be a night to remember with your special Valentine. Reserve your space now this performance is for one night only! Performances will sell out! Reservations are required.

Butler Visiting Writers Series: Paula McLain

Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times best-selling novels The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin. Her latest instant best seller is When the Stars Go Dark.

McLain’s essays have appeared in Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, O the Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, The Guardian, the New York Times and elsewhere. She is also the author of the memoir, Like Family: Growing Up in Other People’s Houses, two collections of poetry, and the debut novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives with her family in Cleveland.

McLain will take the stage on Thursday, February 16 @ 7:30PM at Butler University’s Shelton Auditorium, South Campus. Be sure to stay for the audience Q&A and book signing that follow her reading.

The event and on-site parking are free to the public, with no tickets required. Visit our website for more information.

Leon Jett Memorial Lecture with Dr. Kyle T Mayes

Fortune Feimster: Live Laugh Love

Midwest Writers Workshop presents “Getting Published Masterclass” Online Seminar with Jane Friedman

VOCAB (Monthly)

Hosted by Cory Ewing & Januarie York with sounds by DJ Cleopatra

Door 8pm, Show 9pm General Admission *$10 at the door / advance tickets here

White Rabbit Cabaret, 1116 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, United States

Spoken Word ELEVATED: Black Excellence

Rhythm & Poetry Open Mic at PHIRI Art Gallery (Weekly)

Come Experience the Ultimate Vibe with LIVE performances by some of your favorite artists! RHYTHM & POETRY THURSDAYS is also an awesome way to network with like-minded creatives and business professionals from around the city, so be ready to connect with other amazing individuals!

DO0RS OPEN AT 7PM***LIVE PERFORMANCES AT 8:00PM

**ALL ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE:

* Discounts on Photoshoots*

*Discounts on venue rentals

* Discounts on Upcoming Events at Phiri

* Discounts on all services at PHIRI

INFO 404.759.0530 ** 120 East Market Street, Indianapolis

An Evening with the Authors (Monthly)

Every first Thursday of the month

*Fake Authors. Fake Books. Real Funny.

Where literary satire meets sketch comedy.

Comedians take the stage posing as accomplished authors reading from their most recent works.

Featuring: Sam Griswold, Pauline Shypula, Jonathan Pfendler, Stephen Vincent Giles, Gwen Sunkel, Eric Sablan, Mariah Davison and guests

White Rabbit Cabaret 1116 Prospect Street Indianapolis, IN 46203

Tea’s the Artist Youth Open Mic Night (Monthly)

Thurs Dec 16 (every third Friday)

Our 3rd Friday is BACCCKKKKK!!! You won’t want to miss the Open Mic night centered around youth & teens and very family centric!!

Calling all youth, teenagers and adults to the stage to share your talents with us. From singing to dancing. Poetry to Spoken Word. Piano to Saxophone. Whatever your talent is, AS LONG AS IT’S FAMILY appropriate, we want YOU!

Tea’s Me Cafe Indy (140 E. 22nd Street, Ste. B, Indianapolis, IN 46214)

Writers Helping Writers (Monthly)

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

Brick Street Poetry (monthly)

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.

Margarita Mondays Open Mic

Welcome to Margarita Mondays Open Mic Night where you too can be a star

ILLUSIONS 3661 W 86th st

We welcome all comedians rappers poets and singers. Doors open at 8pm

Admission is free. Hosted by Aisha the Comedian and Mic Shaw.

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