My top picks for poetry happenings this month (& yes, I’m biased 😁 ):

• ProvSlam Team Qualifier 2 — Thursday, October 16th

  • Still have yet to make it out to AS220 for one of these but their reputation as one of the oldest & longest-running stages for open mic and poetry slam speaks for itself! Go in my stead & then tell me all about it, mmkay?

• Hide-N-Speak Vol. XXVI — Thursday, October 23rd

  • A perfect mix of poetry, comedy, and vulnerability, Afroverse’s Hide-N-Speak has quickly become a night out that I look forward to each month. If you haven’t ventured down below to party in the poetry basement yet, what are you waiting for!?

• Poetry Heals: An Instagram Live — Tuesday, October 28th

  • A conversation between 2 poets on the healing powers of poetry + readings of original work brought to you by yours truly, Salena JD (The Poetry Pour), & fellow subscriber, Original Poetree (Poetry Rootz). We just set the date so mark it in your calendar & look out for the flyer on IG very soon!

Here are my recommendations on how you can engage with poetry from home this month:

• Little State, Big Voices w/ Sara Monteiro

  • Listen to this special episode of the 2x award winning local podcast, Little State, Big Voices, featuring a pillar of the PVD poetry scene, “Simply” Sara Monteiro. & while you’re at it, go ahead & listen to another episode or two to bless your ears & minds with the voices of two Massachusetts transplants now living in Rhode Island, hosts Shahidah and Tracey, who captivate in conversations for the culture & cast community spotlights with each & every new episode.

• Camp Write Start: Harvest Week — October 20th - 26th

  • Talicha J, Nikki Gray, & Priscilla Thomas are pitching their tents up again for a 1-week writing getaway you can get in on from the comfort of your home. Complete with twice daily co-working sessions, generative workshops, & cozy social gathering via Zoom, you’re sure to fall 🍂 into creativity when you join this online retreat.

• PBN Global Meetup - October 15th

  • Are you interested in getting the skills, community, and opportunities to turn your passion into paychecks and your poems into a thriving business? I know I am! That’s why a few months back I joined the Poetry Business Network & it has shifted my perspective & better equipped me to pursue a career in poetry. Embark on the transformation from individual poet to poetry business owner alongside me & join PBN for free now so you can hop on our monthly meetup call with me next week! If you’ve ever thought about building a career, creating an income, and transforming your poetry into a thriving business, trust me, PBN is where you need to be!

Have to give credit where credit is due & this resource was shared with me as a subscriber of a Substack newsletter called The Poetry Bulletin.

If you have a poetry manuscript collecting dust or one that’s hot off the keys & begging to be seen, Emily Stoddard’s hope is that this big list will help you decide where to submit and allow you to advocate for yourself as you consider publishing offers and review contracts.

& if you need monthly reminders about deadlines, revision resources & more, make sure you subscribe to receive The Poetry Bulletin straight to your virtual front door (a.k.a. your email inbox)!