Events

KSPS offers a year-round slate of poetry programs that bring writers and readers together through readings, open mics, and craft-focused events.

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2026 Programs & Events

Our 2026 programming includes monthly readings, open mics, craft talks, and a special book club series led by the Poet Laureate. Most events run February through October, with our annual conference in November and no scheduled events in December. Additional details and registration links will be added as schedules are finalized.

All event graphics include a QR code that links directly to individual event registrations. Check this page for updated schedules, series information, and new event announcements.

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Featured Reading + Open Mic Series

Our Featured Reading + Open Mic Series showcases established and emerging poets through featured readings followed by an open mic. These virtual gatherings offer an opportunity to hear outstanding contemporary work and share your own poetry in a welcoming community setting.

Schedule: Second Tuesday of each month (January–October)
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom

Upcoming Session

Featured Reading with Lisa Williams

Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 6:30–8 PM ET
Location: Zoom

Lisa Williams is the author of the books Gazelle in the House, Woman Reading to the Sea, and The Hammered Dulcimer. Her poems are featured in Ecotone, on terrain.org, and in New England Review, as well as in Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems about Birds (selected by Billy Collins), the forthcoming Casting Lines: An Anthology of Fish Poems by Female Poets (forthcoming 2027), and The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Lisa lives in Kentucky, teaches at Centre College, and serves as Series Editor for the University Press of Kentucky New Poetry and Prose Series. 

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Craft Talk / Workshop Series

Our Craft Talk / Workshop Series features interactive sessions focused on craft, creative process, and professional development for writers. Each session offers practical insight, guided exploration, and conversation with experienced poets and literary professionals.

Schedule: Fourth Wednesday of select months
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM ET (some sessions may conclude earlier)
Location: Zoom

Upcoming Session

The next Craft Talk / Workshop session will be announced soon. Please check back for updated dates and registration details.

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Reading Kentucky Poets

Led by current Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell, this series offers guided discussion and close reading of poetry by writers connected to Kentucky. Participants engage deeply with selected poems while exploring craft, context, and interpretation in a supportive virtual setting.

Schedule: Select dates annually
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom
Total Sessions: 5

Upcoming Session

Reading Kentucky Poets with Kathleen Driskell Session #3

Date: Wednesday, June 24
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM ET
Location: Zoom

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Looking for a regular spot to share your work or hear local voices?

From open mics to writing workshops, Kentucky has a growing calendar of recurring poetry events happening every month. Explore our roundup of ongoing events across the state—and if we’re missing one, let us know!