Updated 1/6/25
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.
#1 New York Times Bestselling author, Gayle Forman, at Morgenstern Books!
January 9 from 6:00 – 7:30pm EST
Click here for more information and to reserve your ticket
Book-to-Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
January 12 @ 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Join us on January 12 at 4pm for a book discussion following a film screening of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie!
Please purchase tickets to Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie’s film screening here.
Join us for a free book club and discussion of The Complete Adventures of Charlie and Mr. Willy Wonka by Roald Dahl after the film.
You must buy tickets for this event. If you would like to include a donation to Indy Reads, please use the “Donate” button. Indy Reads is a 501c3 nonprofit. Our mission is to empower adults and their families through literacy, English language skills, and job readiness programming. For more information about Indy Reads and the students we serve, visit our website at indyreads.org.
Onyx Storm Release Breakfast Party
At the Whispering Shelf January 21, 2025
Click here for more information and to register
Author Event: Julie Heffernan
Morgenstern Books is excited to host acclaimed artist, Julie Heffernan for an event to celebrate her new book, Babe in the Woods! Join us for an evening sure to be full of interesting conversation and perspective.
1/22/2025 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401-5429
Author Reading at IndyReads: McKenna Houston
January 23 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at IndyReads
Click here for more information and to register
Game Plan Writing and Publishing Workshop
Thursday, January 23 · 7:45 – 8:45pm EST
The Gallery Event Center5852 East 82nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46250
Click here for more information and to get your tickets
Riot Reads Book Club at IndyReads
For January, we’ll read River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta! To get to the room pass the checkout counter, go down the hall, and take a left. Masks welcome but not mandatory.
River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta
Buy the book from Indy Reads! Proceeds from sales at Indy Reads keep our classrooms tuition-free for more than 400 adult students each year.
Boundaries and Authentic Living: An Afternoon of Spoken Word and Song
Click here for more information
Authors at Tomorrow: Emily Eby
Click here for more information and to register
Tomorrow Bookstore Presents: Author Talk with Kaveh Akbar
Tuesday January 28 7:00-9:00 pm
Click here for more information and to register
Author Event at Morgenstern Books: Iris Jamahl Dunkle
Join us in the Morgenstern Books café for an evening in conversation with author Iris Jamahl Dunkle, discussing her book Riding Like the Wind: The Life of Sanora Babb.
1/28/2025 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401-5429
Author Event at Morgenstern Books: Rosemary MacCabe
Join us in the Morgenstern Books café for an evening in conversation with author Rosemary MacCabe discussing her newest book, This is NOT About You: A Menmoir. Preorder your copy now!
1/29/2025 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Morgenstern Books
849 S. Auto Mall Road
Bloomington, IN 47401-5429
Coming Up Next Month
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 Shelf414 North College Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202
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.
Click Here to Register
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, January 22 · 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