My top picks for poetry happenings this month (let’s end the year with more poetry!):

• Express Yourself Open Mic at Public Shop & Gallery — Friday, December 12th 7pm

  • What makes this event special is its truly inclusive approach—producers, rappers, singers, poets, & storytellers all share the same stage in a relaxed, creative setting. Signups happen from 7-8pm (first come, first served!) so you can decide when you arrive whether you're ready to perform or just want to soak up the creative energy. At $7 in advance or $10 at the door, it's a fantastic way to end your poetry year on a high note at an affordable price!

• Orange Will Rise: Special Live Poetry Recording at CIC Providence — Wednesday, December 17th 6:30pm

  • Live recording sessions are rare gems in our poetry scene, making this an automatic top shelf event. Mr. Orange Live is a well-respected veteran in our local poetry community, and in this special recorded performance, he’ll be sharing pieces from his book, "Orange Will Rise." So if you go, you're not just attending a reading—you're part of a live audience witnessing a seasoned poet do his thang up on stage. There's an electric energy when poets know their words are being documented and getting to experience that with someone of Mr. Orange's caliber makes this unmissable!

• Works in Progress: Poetry Reading — Thursday, December 18th 7pm

  • This earns top shelf status for multiple reasons, but here's the big one: I'll be reading as one of the featured poets! I'm genuinely excited to finally have a chance to share my work on the mic at Riffraff (you know how much I adore this space), and to get some practice reading pieces I've never performed aloud before. There's something beautifully vulnerable about sharing work that's still evolving, still finding its final form—and honestly, I can't think of a better place to do that than surrounded by fellow poets among the shelves of Riffraff's thoughtfully curated poetry collection, enjoying one of their delicious #8 mocktails!

Three events, three different reasons to show up: whether you're ready to perform yourself, want to witness a master's artistry, or support me, your resident pourtender, as I step up to the mic!

As we wind down 2025, I’m serving up some resources & virtual events to keep your creative fire burning from the comfort of your own home:

• Audacious Writer's Circle Journal Writing Challenge — December 1st - 31st

  • If you've been meaning to start (or restart) a consistent journaling practice, this challenge might be exactly the accountability you need. There's something beautifully grounding about putting pen to paper daily, especially during this reflective time of year. Camari, the community found, has designed this challenge to help you explore your thoughts, process your experiences, and unlock stories you didn't even know were waiting to be told. Perfect for those of us who thrive with structure & gentle nudges to keep showing up for our craft & ourselves.

• PBN Global Vision Party — December 17th 9-11pm EST

  • The Poetry Business Network’s monthly meetup is a Global Vision Party this month in honor of the new year that awaits us, and I cannot recommend it enough! This isn't your typical virtual poetry event—it's a focused gathering where poets from around the world come together to set intentions, share goals, and support each other's poetry business journeys. Christoph (the founder) creates such a welcoming space, and honestly, it feels so motivating to be surrounded by people who truly understand the poet life. Plus, PBN is still FREE until they hit 1,000 members, so now's the time to join!

• Write Some Cool Shit: 366 Prompts to Rekindle Your Creativity

  • Sometimes you just need someone to tell you exactly what to write about, and this book delivers with zero pretense and maximum inspiration. With 366 prompts (because leap years deserve love too), you're covered for daily creative sparks in 2026. Whether you're stuck in a creative rut or just want to explore new directions with your writing, these prompts are designed to shake things up & get your imagination flowing again.

The year’s winding down, but the submission opportunities are alive & plenty. Here are my top 3 chances to get your work out there before we close the books on 2025:

Call for Readers: Poets in Pajamas - Due 12/15

Listen, if you've ever wanted to share your poetry while literally wearing your most comfortable clothes, this is your moment! Poets in Pajamas is looking for readers for 2026 who can bring authentic energy to their cozy virtual reading series. Whether you're a seasoned performer or someone who's been waiting for the perfect low-pressure opportunity to share your work, this could be it. The deadline is coming up fast, so don't sleep on this one—pun absolutely intended!

Broadsided Press: Signs of Life - Due 12/15

Broadsided Press is calling for submissions that celebrate what makes us irreplaceably human in an AI-saturated world. They’re looking for poems or flash prose pieces to accompany actual notebook pages from artists—those intimate draft-spaces where rough edges and process are sacred. If you've got work that celebrates the messy, beautiful, unfinished humanity of the creative process, this is your call.

Voicemail Poems - Due 12/18

Here's something different: Voicemail Poems wants your audio submissions! There's something so intimate about hearing a poem in the poet's own voice, and this project celebrates exactly that. Whether your poem is meant to be whispered, shouted, or delivered with conviction, they want to hear it. So submit it in text at the link & then leave your poetic message for the world to hear!

Remember: rejection is just redirection, and every submission is practice for the next one. If you end up submitting, send me a message to let me know—I’d love to celebrate your courage in putting your work out there!

The RI poetry community lost a beloved gathering place this month with the announcement that SWAP Meet will not continue into 2026. Here’s Jaybird's official announcement:

What I will say is this: What made SWAP Meet special wasn't just the $5 suggested donation that kept it accessible to everyone; it was the way Jaybird created a space where vulnerability was celebrated, where applause was genuine, and where every voice mattered—whether you were sharing a polished piece or reading something frantically typed in your notes app five minutes before taking the mic.

In just the few months I’ve been attending, I've witnessed poets find their confidence, had friendships bloom over shared Incred-a-bowl eats, & watched our community strengthen with each gathering.

To Jaybird: thank you for hosting something truly special for our poetry family. Your dedication to our community has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I’m glad you’re taking the time that you need to take care of yourself.

And to everyone who ever graced the SWAP Meet stage or cheered from their table—let's carry that energy forward as we continue to build and support spaces for poetry in Providence & beyond.