August! The month of my birth, the hot one (but usually less humid, at least), and the month where poetry events typically start to ramp up for the fall. I get to be part of some great events this year and look forward to being in Bancroft, Lincoln, Iowa, and Omaha at some fun events which I hope you’ll come out for.
Also, I have two more months serving as the Castle and Cathedral Creative District’s Artist in Residence and type this in my turret office with a great view from the Castle.
In short: Poetry is awesome. Spread the word!
August 2nd, Sunday, 1-3pm, I emcee and read for The 61st Annual Neihardt Day: A Poetry Picnic, also featuring JV Brummels and 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate Victoria Bogatz at the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site (306 Elm St, Bancroft). Bring your own picnic food and blanket, and join us for an afternoon celebrating poetry. In fact, bring your own poetry to read as the event includes an Open Mic for 2-3 poems if you like. Free and open to all.
https://www.neihardtcenter.org/events/61st-annual-neihardt-day-poetry-picnic
8/4 and 8/18, I get to lead a writing workshop in Urbandale, Iowa. It’s not open to the public, but I mention it as someone who attended a writing series I ran recommended it to their senior center and they’re bringing me in. I just love that.
August 7, Friday, 6-8pm, I am one of the readers for Victoria Bogatz’s debut chapbook release party for This Is Not The End at the Joslyn Castle Carriage House (3902 Davenport St, Omaha). Also reading are current Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate Mentor Angélica Perez and Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate Stephany Orellana Gomez.
https://joslyncastle.com/event/local-author-series-victoria-bogatz/
August 10 is my Birthday. Write a poem, send me a cake emoji on Facebook, celebrate!
August 19, 7-9pm, I run The No Gatekeepers Poetry Night at the Joslyn Castle Carriage House (3902 Davenport St, Omaha). Bring 2 poems: one of your own, one by another poet (friend, favorite song lyrics, etc.). Both poems should make us feel and/or understand some kind of experience, story, etc. You have 5 minutes, after which the Botswanan Goat Bell of Doom will sound. This is normally on the 2nd Wednesday of the month but moved for this month only. Poets and audience are all welcome at this free event.
See the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/932937622912991/972233665650053/
or get information from the Castle itself: https://joslyncastle.com/event/the-no-gatekeepers-poetry-night-4/
And August 20 is a big one as I get to read and talk with my wife, the wonderful Sarah McKinstry-Brown, 6:30-7:30pm, at Writers in Conversation, Third Thursdays @ Larksong at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). Each month Writers in Conversation invites two writers to share their work and engage one another in conversation about the craft of creative writing. The conversation is then opened to the entire audience for a lively discussion of all things literary. Social Time 6-6:30. Free.
https://larksongwritersplace.org/Events/Online-Events/Virtual-Details/c/on-site-events/p/w
I hope to see you out this month, and please pass on the word about my new nonprofit Poetry Forward. Poetry Forward sends me around Nebraska to schools, libraries, nonprofits and more to lead poetry events, do readings, write with people and spread the word about poetry as a fun and useful way to spend your time!
More at: https://poetryforward.org/