Updated 7/29/24
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.
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
August 1: Brick Street Poetry Guest Reader Tracy Mishkin
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.This Month’s Guest Reader for THURSDAY AUGUST 1 is Tracy Mishkin. Tracy is a longtime Poetry On Brick Street attendee who undoubtedly will have some cool poetry to share. We are pleased to welcome her for another appearance as our Guest Reader at 225 West Hawthorne in Zionsville to share her poetry at 7 pm. Open Mic to follow
August 3: Introduction to Free-Flow Journal Writing
FREE! Click here for more information and to register
August 9: Work That Pitch, an online event
Click here for more information and to register
“So, what’s your book about?”
It’s the question that every writer gets asked by well-meaning friends, colleagues, and strangers, and nearly every writer I know dreads to be asked it.
And why wouldn’t they? Writing a novel is hard, and having to reduce it to one sentence, a paragraph, or even a single page for a query letter is hair-raising.
But pitching doesn’t have to be scary or hair-raising at all.
In fact, it should be fun and empowering.
And in just an hour and a half, I’ll show you how in Work That Pitch!
During the workshop, you’ll learn the tools you need to pitch your story to your family, your friends, your ideal readers, and your dream literary agents. Through targeted workshops and activities centered around craft, you’ll be able to:
- distill your story vision in one powerful, exhilirating sentence
- give just enough detail about your story so that potential readers and listeners want more
- understand the power of stakes, conflict, and thematic resonance in your work.
Best of all, you’ll get to have fun with other writers looking to level up like you are.
Never dread pitching, marketing, or self-promotion ever again! Hope to see you soon!
Open to beginner and intermediate writers who have a story idea, a work-in-progress, or a completed novel. Students are also encouraged to bring a copy of their favorite book to study its back cover copy.
August 10 Author Visit with Gabrielle Balkan at the Indiana State Library
Writers are readers and readers are better writers the more they read. If you have a young reader help prepare them for their future with a visit to the Indiana State Library, on Saturday, August 10, at 2pm. Attend a program celebrating the National Book Festival with award-winning children’s author Gabrielle Balkan. Her book WHAT A MAP CAN DO was selected to represent Indiana at the 2024 National Book Festival, organized by the Library of Congress. Enjoy fun mapping activities appropriate for children and families (ages 6 and up). It’s free! Register here.
August 11: Summer Nature Journaling
Part of the 2024 Nature Journaling at Prophetstown State Park collection. Combine science, observation, art, and writing in this nature journaling series!
Click here for more information and to register
August 13: Spirit & Place Common Read: Here for It by R. Eric Thomas
Click here for more information and to register
August 21: JCC Indianapolis Poetry Reading: Tracy Mishkin
AUGUST 21: Tracy will read from The Way The Salt Falls and her three chapbooks. The reading will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Copies of her books will be available for purchase at a discount. The title poem of The Way The Salt Falls is about canning tomatoes with my mother, but the word “fall” has other meanings outside of salt and spoons. The book is about failing and trying to do better on a personal and political level. The poems are written both from my perspective and from those of other people: a visual artist, a refugee, an elderly man, Jacob from the book of Genesis, a cancer survivor, a bureaucrat. I like to say that the “story” of The Way The Salt Falls goes from worse to bad, which is better than the other way around. Still, there’s hard-won hope at the end of the book.
Indy native Tracy Mishkin learned to swim at the JCC, and one of her poems takes place in the Regenstrief Indoor Lap Pool. She recently published her first full-length book of poetry, The Way The Salt Falls, with Main Street Rag Publishing Company. Tracy is also the author of three chapbooks, I almost Didn’t Make it to McDonald’s (Finishing Line Press, 2014), The Night I Quit Flossing (Five Oaks Press, 2016), and This is Still Life (Brain Mill Press, 2018). A graduate of the MFA program in Creative Writing at Butler University, she lives around the corner from the J with her family and fewer than ten cats and dogs.
August 22: IndyReads Silent Book Club + WeWalkIndy
Free Eventbrite ticket required.
Feel free to arrive as early as 5:00 PM for check-in. 5:30-6ish silent reading. 6-7PM read more or mingle.
During mingle time, join us on a walk through the park or go fowling for free. Bring whatever you are #currentlyreading–no book assignment! Bring a blanket or chair for reading in Windsor Park Greenspace
Buy food and drink to support our gracious hosts. Cocktails, cider, wine, beer, seltzers and NA options available for purchase at 8th Day Distillery and Fowling Warehouse. Food truck will be parked outside of 8th Day! BYOB/picnic in Windsor Park. 8th Day allows food.
August 24: Book Release Party at Tomorrow Bookstore with Jensen Parker
Click here for more information and to register
August 24: Book Folding Home Design
Folded Book Art is a fun and unique craft where you fold pages of books to create a pattern. Once the pattern has been designed, the decorating process starts. The artist has the ability to use their creative freedom here because there’s no limitations. Use colored paper, ribbon, flowers, and other embellishments to make it match your style! Once completed, use as a home decor piece or a wonderful gift.
Don’t worry if you struggle with being crafty, this is a beginner level design!
Click here for more information and to register
August 28: Creatives on Creatives with AIGA Indianapolis: Dija Henry & Yoonji Jung
Click here for more information and to register
August 29: Book Release Party at Tomorrow Bookstore for Karol Lagodski
Click here for more information and to register
August 31: Poetry Reading with Thomas Kneeland & Amie Whittemore
Click here for more information and to register
Weekly: Big Chair Story Hour at IndyReads
Join our staff, volunteers, and students as we share some of our favorite stories with the community. This is a family-friendly event, and all ages are welcome! Big Chair Story Time is every Saturday at 11am, except for the first Saturday of the month where we have Drag Story Hour instead.
You are welcome to bring coffee, water, snacks to enjoy while listening.
Monthly: Drag Story Hour at Indy Reads
Click here for more information and to register
Monthly: Writing Workshop and Open Mic with IndyUntitled
Monthly: Poetry & More Open Mic Night at IndyReads
Click here for more information and to register
Monthly: Indy Actors Playground
Monthly: 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!
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
9402 Uptown Dr Suite 1400
Indianapolis, IN 46256
phone: (317) 288-5136
mothership@booksnbrews.com