Updated 2/3/25
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.
Author Talk: Jodi Bondi Norgaard’s “More Than a Doll”
Tuesday February 4 at 7:30pm EST: Jodi Bondi Norgaard will be in conversation about her new book , “More Than a Doll”
For more information and to register click here
Hear Our Stories: The Life and Afterlife of Incarceration
oin us on Thursday, February 6 for Hear Our Stories: The Life and Afterlife of Incarceration, organized by Storytelling Arts of Indiana.
Previously incarcerated people will share first-hand stories about their lives inside the prison system and what it’s like adjusting to life on the outside.
We will have a selection of titles on hand examining the prison system, as well as resources for how to get involved in the many organizations that provide services, both inside and outside of prisons.
Storytellers for this event: India Madison and LaQurea MilesPoetry on Brick Street
Want another hint about who our February Poetry On Brick Street Speaker is? Check out the cover of this Jasper native’s newest book. Be the first with the right answer and pick up a new prize at Poetry On Brick Street this Thursday, 7 pm, at the SullivanMunce Cultural Center in Zionsville
Authors at Tomorrow: Macalya Dawn
Saturday Feb 8 at 11am EST
Macayla Dawn will be at Tomorrow Bookstore to promote, sell and sign copies of her fantasy book “The Mountain’s Crown”
Author Event at Morgenstern Books
Morgenstern Books is excited to host author Michael Weinman for an evening in conversation with Bloomington’s own Jeffrey Isaac (you may recognize him from our monthly Jazz Salon with the Postmodern Jazz Quartet!). The two will be discussing Weinman’s book, Hannah Arendt and Politics.
02/13/2025 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401-5429
Butler University Vivian S. Belbrooke Visiting Authors Series: T Kira Madden
T Kira Madden
Lambda Literary Award Winner
Event Date: Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 PM
Location: Shelton Auditorium
Authors and Musicians Duo: Rachel Cochran and Scott Guild
Join us for an evening of author readings and live music performed by Indy locals and Marian University Professors!
Tuesday, February 18 · 7 – 8:30pm EST
The Whispering Shelf 414 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202
Learn more and Register
Author Talk at Tomorrow Bookstore: Eiren Caffall’s All the Water in the World
Thurs Feb 20 7:30 – 9pm EST
Critically acclaimed author, Eiren Caffall will be in conversation about her new book, “All the Water in the World”.
MWW Online Masterclass with Jane Friedman
In this masterclass, you’ll learn the mechanics of how traditional publishing works and how to prepare submissions materials for your novel, memoir, or nonfiction book. Learn what it takes to capture the attention of a New York publisher or literary agent, plus what expectations you should have so that you approach this (often frustrating) process with the right expectations and mindset.
This masterclass will cover the following:
- Key traditional publishing paths. Big Five, midsize, independent, university … The world of book publishers is vast and they all operate a bit differently. Learn about the key categories of book publisher with tips on evaluating them without an agent.
- Literary agents—who they are and what they do. If you want to sell your work to a major New York house, you’ll need an agent. You’ll learn what the standard agenting practices are and why you might want one.
- Research markets (agents and editors) for your work. We’ll look at the major tools and resources for identifying the right agent or publisher for you.
- Query letters for novels and memoirs. Your one-page query letter should be short and sweet and pack a punch. Learn what it means to sell your story, and how to avoid problems that plague (and sabotage) writers in this critical document.
- The dreaded synopsis. Few, if any, writers enjoy writing a synopsis of their book, but agents like to see how you’ve structured (and ended) your novel or memoir without reading the manuscript. Understand how to pull it off without it sounding dead inside.
- An overview of nonfiction book proposals. Nonfiction writers typically submit a book proposal instead of a manuscript. This is one of the more challenging business documents you’re likely to tackle. This class can only offer highlights of proposal writing, but you’ll be given resources for researching and writing a full proposal. We’ll also talk about the gray area of memoir and whether memoirists should prepare a book proposal.
- Pitching at conferences. If you attend a writing conference or workshop, you may have the opportunity to pitch your work directly to an agent or editor. But if you’re nervous (and who isn’t?) then you can make a bad first impression. We’ll discuss how to take advantage of a pitch opportunity.
About the instructor
Jane Friedman spent 15 years working inside the traditional publishing industry and is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. Her most recent book is The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press, 2025), a comprehensive guide on how to make a living as a writer. She has been a full-time freelancer and publishing consultant since 2014, and maintains an award-winning website for writers at JaneFriedman.com.
Get Inked! Teen Writing Conference
This year, the conference will offer two tracks for attendance–February 22nd in-person or March 1st virtual. It is my sincerest hope that you share this opportunity with your students.The cost is $75 for students to attend the daylong event, which includes lunch and autographed copies of She is A Haunting by NYT Bestselling Author Trang Thanh Tran and Junkyard Dogs by young adult author Katherine Higgs-Coulthard. Limited need-based scholarships are available. A flier is attached to share with students. Please feel free to forward this email to other people who might be interested.
To reserve a spot, please register soon. Space is limited.
Registration Link: https://www.saintmarys.edu/get-inked-teen-writing-conference-2025
Any Questions? Contact Dr. Katherine Higgs-Coulthard at higgscou@saintmarys.edu or 574-284-4472.
Authors at Tomorrow: Celia Latz
Saturday, Feb 22 from 11 – 1 pm
Celia Latz will be at Tomorrow Bookstore to promote, sell and sign copies of her book “A Song of Love”
Black Youth Author Fair
The Writer’s Guild: Last Sunday Poetry Reading and Open Mic at Morgenstern Books
With featured reader George Kalamaras.
Date:02/23/2025
Time:7:00pm – 8:30pm
Place:Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401-5429
Coming Up Next Month
Authors at Tomorrow: Rebecca Dotlitch
Sat March 1 from 11 – 1pm
Rebecca Dotlitch will be at Tomorrow Bookstore for children’s story time and sell her book “One Day, The End”
Butler University Vivian S. Belbrooke Visiting Authors Series: Rasheed Newson
Rasheed Newson
Acclaimed Television Writer and Producer and Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Event Date: Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 PM
Location: Schrott Center for the Arts
Author Event at Morgenstern Books: Elle Cosimano
Morgenstern Books is excited to host New York Times bestselling author Elle Cosimano for the release of her newest book, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave! Join us for a great night with the author!
Tickets coming soon! Visit www.morgensternbooks.com
Authors at Tomorrow: Jeremiah King “The Raven Does Not Return”
Sat March 8 from 11 – 1 pm
Jeremiah King will be at Tomorrow Bookstore to promote, sell and sign copies of his poetry collection “The Raven Does Not Return”
Butler University Vivian S. Belbrooke Visiting Authors Series: Ed Park
Ed Park
Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Fiction
Event Date: Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30 PM
Location: Schrott Center for the Arts
MONTHLY EVENTS
Writings From Her Corner at Dream Palace Books & Cafe
A women’s writing group designed to build community & connect over writing. Includes writing prompts, sharing, and independent writing time.
Wednesday, February 5th & 12th 6:30 – 8pm EST
Click here for more information
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
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: The IndyReads Book Club
Click here for more information and to register
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