The Boston Poetry List Newsletter: September 23, 2026
"I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam. It is possible, in deep space, to sail on solar wind. Light, be it particle or wave, has force: you can rig a giant sail and go." (Annie Dillard)
Welcome to the Boston Poetry List, a free monthly newsletter put together by a couple of poets who live for that beam of light and hate to miss anything! It lists poetry events happening in — or within road-tripping distance of — the Greater Boston area. It is also our tribute to poet Dan Bouchard, who produced a similar newsletter pre-pandemic that we all treasured. We think it's time to bring that back!
We are just getting started! This first newsletter lists the events we know about so far, and we know it is not complete, far from it. But with your help, we will get there. So please spread the word to people who might like to subscribe, and if you have an event coming up, or know of anything you would like to see included, please drop us a line!
We are thrilled to be getting this off the ground!
Blast Off,
Suzanne Mercury and Christina Strong
Contact: BoPoList@gmail.com
Subscribe: www.bopolist.com
Here we go ....
Upcoming Poetry Events for September and October
September 23, 2026, 7—9pm
For Jenn: North Shore Poets Remember
Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970-3262
To mark the first anniversary of the passing of poet Jennifer Martelli, the Salem Athenaeum will host an evening of poetry and remembrances. Co-hosted by January Gill O’Neil and J.D. Scrimgeour, the reading will bring together North Shore poets to celebrate Jenn’s life, work, friendship, and lasting presence in our literary community.
Jenn was a trustee of the Salem Athenaeum and a beloved North Shore writer. The evening will feature local poets reading and reflecting on Jenn’s work. Family members will also be in attendance.
Please join us for an evening of poems, remembrance, and community as we celebrate Jenn and her legacy.
Registration is strongly encouraged.
More information
September 23, 2026 (and every Wednesday!), 7—9pm
Speak Up
Feature poet: Timothy Gager
Walnut Street Cafe
157 Walnut St, Lynn, MA 01905
Speak Up is a spoken word open mic a the Walnut Street Cafe in West Lynn. We welcome poets, storytellers, comedians, activist, artists, musicians and others who want to be heard in a supportive community environment. Each Wednesday we welcome a featured performer. Signup starts: 7:00pm. Open mic: 7:30-8:30pm. Feature: 8:30-9:00pm. Join us and bring your stuff!
September 23, 2026 (and every Wednesday!), 7—9pm
Stone Soup Poetry (online only)
Feature poet: Lee Desrosiers, followed by open mic
Stone Soup Poetry meets every Wednesday online via Zoom. It is an open mic, usually with a feature poet. Please check out their website for updates on future live gatherings, feature poets, and information on how to join.
September 21st, 12pm—September 27th, 2:30pm
The Emily Dickinson Museum's Tell It Slant Poetry Festival 2026 (Hybrid event)
The Emily Dickinson Museum’s annual Tell It Slant Poetry Festival is an event with international reach that celebrates Emily Dickinson’s poetic legacy and the contemporary creativity she and her work continues to inspire from the place she called home.
This year’s hybrid line-up features a talented group of poets from around the world including a headliner reading from acclaimed poets Victoria Chang and Samyak Shertok, generative writing workshops, poetry panels, an open mic, and more. The cornerstone of the Festival, the Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon, is an epic reading of all 1,789 of Emily Dickinson’s poems across the Festival week. Join us at the Museum in Amherst, MA or tune in from around the world.
More Information
Registration Required
September 24, 2026, 7pm
K. Iver and Elizabeth Metzger
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
September 24, 2026, 6—7pm
Women Writing the Conflict Zone: a Poetry Reading
Poets: Nidia Hernandez, Amy Merrill, Dunya Mikhail, Dzvinia Orlowsky and Bänoo Zan
Her Story Is, Fine Arts Work Center
24 Pearl Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Join the Her Story Is collective and four poets and translators from or representing Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, and Venezuela for an online reading of poetry by women writing during, after, and about war and violent conflict in their homelands. This event is sponsored by the Fine Arts Work Center online and will run from 6pm to 7pm (Eastern).
Registration is required
September 24, 2026, 7pm
The Seventh Annual Beals Prize for Poetry Award Night Presentation
The Beals Memorial Library
50 Pleasant St, Winchendon, MA 01475
More information
September 25, 2026 (and every Friday!), 6:30—8:30pm
Friday Poetry/City Night Readings Series
Little Crêpe Café
102 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Friday Poetry/City Night Readings Series brings together writers, performers, and lovers of literature for evenings of poetry and the art of words every Friday. Each evening includes a feature writer, followed by an open mic. All are welcome.
More information
September 25, 2026, 6:30pm
Kelly Clare, Adam Grabowski, Tania Jaramillo, and Nathan Irwin
Countersink Poetry Series
Tunic Coffee, 186 Main Street, Northampton, MA
September 27, 2026, 2—3pm
Poetry at the Manse: Trapper Markelz, Doug Holder, Alix Klingenberg
The Old Manse and New England Poetry Club
269 Monument St, Concord, MA, Massachusetts 01742
Registration requested
September 28, 2026, 7pm
Linda Carney-Goodrich, Lisa Rosinsky, and Dan Kraines
The Black Box Reading Series
Boston University
STH 625 (School of Theology)
745 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA
More information
September 28, 2026, 7pm
Sharmini Aphrodite: A Reading and Conversation
Amherst College Creative Writing Center
CHI Think Tank (Lyceum 101), Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum building
197 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
More information
September 29, 2026, 7:30pm
J.D. Scrimgeour and Rebecca Hart Olander
Creative Writing Writers Series
Salem State University
Underground, Ellison Campus Center, North Campus
352 Lafayette Street, Salem MA
More information
October 1, 2026, 6—7:30pm
Nora Lange
Visiting Writers Series, UMass Amherst
Old Chapel, UMass Amherst, 144 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01002
Now in its sixty-third year, the nationally-renowned Visiting Writers Series at UMass Amherst presents emerging and established writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
More information
October 2, 2026, 7—8:30pm
Fully Versed: John Bonanni, Mckendy Fils-Aimé, Joey Gould, Danielle Jones
All She Wrote Books
75 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143
Celebrate four new collections by Mass-based poets! A reading and Q&A with four poets writing resistance in their recently released collections! Doors open at 6:45pm. Hosted by Key K. Bird.
October 2, 2026, 7pm
Trace Fossils 2026 Anthology Launch featuring readings by Danielle DeTiberus, Grace Talusan, Sean Scapellato, Niamh Carmichael, and more with an introduction by co-founders Jessie Leitzel and Ellie Reid
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 4, 2026, 2—4pm
NEPC @ The Menino: Mark Pawlak, Mid Walsh, and Susan Eisenberg
New England Poetry Club
Menino Arts Center, 26 Central Ave, Hyde Park, MA 02136-2946
An open mic will follow the featured poets.
More information
October 6, 2026, 7pm
Keetje Kuipers Poetry Reading
Smith College, Boutelle-Day Poetry Center
Weinstein Auditorium, 5 Chapin Dr, Northampton, MA 01063
More information
October 7, 2026, 7pm
Jen Siraganian: A Reading and Conversation
Amherst College Creative Writing Center
CHI Think Tank (Lyceum 101), Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum Building
197 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
More information
October 8, 2026, 7pm
Adrie Rose Chapbook Release
Smith College, Boutelle-Day Poetry Center
Weinstein Auditorium, 5 Chapin Dr, Northampton, MA 01063
More information
October 8, 2026, 7pm
K.T. Landon, Carla Panciera, Scott Withiam
2nd Thursday Poetry Readings
Menino Arts Center, 26 Central Avenue Hyde Park, MA 02136
All readings are free and open to the public with an open mic before the featured speakers. Space is limited at the open mic, signup starts at 6:45pm the night of the reading.
More information
October 8, 2026, 7—9pm
Pour Me a Poem
Feature Poet: Bob McKetchnie, followed by open mic
Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services and Sara Letourneau, Poet, Wayne-Daniel Berard and Sara Letourneau
51 Park St, Mansfield, MA 02048-2231,
Poets Wayne-Daniel Berard and Sara Letourneau are hosting Pour Me a Poem on the second Thursday of each month. The feature poet is followed by a quick break, followed by the main open mic.
October 8, 2026, 7pm
Hugo Dos Santos and Anthony Walton with an introduction by Meia Geddes
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 9, 2026, 7pm
Cardboard House Press and the Grolier Poetry Book Shop present Victoria Guerrero-Peirano, Judah Rubin, Giancarlo Huapaya and Honora Spicer with an introduction by Jaime Francisco Matorras
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 11, 2026, 4pm
An Afternoon with Charles Bernstein
Xit the Bear Reading in the Press Room
10th Anniversary Season: Opening Day!
90 Oxford St., Somerville, MA . 02143 (Please note: NOT Cambridge!)
The Press Room is located down the drive, behind the house, across the garden. We will be open for guests starting at 3:30pm.
October 11, 2026, 2pm
Oliver de la Paz and Jonathan Aibel
Brookline Poetry Series
Hunneman Hall
Brookline Public Library
361 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Our featured readers are followed by our open mic, named the Best in Boston in 2005 by the Boston Globe, all poets are welcome to sign up.
October 14, 2026, 7pm
William Rowe and Helen Dimos read Trilce by César Vallejo with an introduction by Giancarlo Huapaya
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 15, 2026, 7pm
Matthew Porto, Daniel Tobin, Susan Eisenberg
Rozzie Reads Poetry & Open Mic
Roslindale House
120 Poplar St. Roslindale, MA
Parking is on the street, in unnumbered slots, and in the rear of the building. Accessible venue.
October 15, 2026, 6—7:30pm
Oral History Initiative: On Fanny Howe
Woodberry Poetry Room
Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Harvard University
24 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Livestreaming also available via the WPR YouTube Channel.
October 15, 2026, 7pm
Arrowsmith Press, The Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, and Grolier Poetry Book Shop present Yaryna Chornohuz and Amira El-Zein with an introduction by Askold Melnyczuk
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 17, 2026, 10am—6pm
Boston Book Festival 2026
Copley Square, Boston MA
The Boston Book Festival gathers the Greater Boston community together with authors around the transformative joys of reading, the power of stories, and the exchange of ideas through a wide range of free programming.
List of 2026 Festival Presenters
Contact: info@bostonbookfest.org
October 18, 2026, 2—5pm
NEPC 2026 Contest Reading
New England Poetry Club (Online only)
The reading will take place in two parts: the first beginning at 2:00 pm and the second at 3:30 pm. There will be an “intermission” break between the parts.
List of winners and finalists
Advance registration is required! Visit our website for instructions. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with your personal session link, which will work for both parts of the reading. Please note: there will be no “one-size-fits-all” Zoom link.
October 19, 2026, 8pm
Natalie Shapero and Kathy Fagan
Blacksmith House Poetry Series
Cambridge Center for Adult Education
56 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
Admission is $5 and tickets are available at the door. Please note that seating is limited.
More information
October 20, 2026, 7pm
John Peck, Mark Scroggins, Elizabeth T. Gray, Patrick Pritchett
Amherst Books
8 Main St. Amherst, MA 01002
Celebrating the release of John Peck's EXCURSUS: Selected Prose (Black Square Editions).
October 21, 2026, 7pm
Lindsay Turner introduced and in conversation with Nina MacLaughlin
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 22, 2026, 7pm
Pawn Shop of Coincidence by Andrea L. Fry (Grolier Poetry Press) book launch with an introduction by and in conversation with Rob Bowers
The Grolier Poetry Book Shop
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge MA 02138
This event will take place synchronously in-store and on Zoom. Please sign up ahead of time because there is limited space.
Tickets for in-person
Tickets for Zoom
More Information
October 22, 2026, 6—7:30pm
Juliana Spahr
Visiting Writers Series, UMass Amherst
Old Chapel, UMass Amherst, 144 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01002
Now in its sixty-third year, the nationally-renowned Visiting Writers Series at UMass Amherst presents emerging and established writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
More information
October 25, 2026, 4pm
Denise Levertov: A Slight Return
With readings reminiscences and new books by three poets who were deeply influenced by the Place she made in poetry: Mark Pawlak, Dick Lourie, and David Shaddock.
Xit the Bear Reading in the Press Room
10th Anniversary Season
90 Oxford St., Somerville, MA . 02143 (Please note: NOT Cambridge!)
The Press Room is located down the drive, behind the house, across the garden. We will be open for guests starting at 3:30pm.
October 25, 2026, 2—3pm
Poetry at Fruitlands: Kevin Gallagher, Claire Conroy, Eileen P. Kennedy
New England Poetry Club
Fruitlands Museum, Wayside Gallery
102 Prospect Hill Rd, Harvard, MA 01451
Registration requested
October 26, 2026, 8pm
Robert Clinton and Roland Pease
Blacksmith House Poetry Series
Cambridge Center for Adult Education
56 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
Admission is $5 and tickets are available at the door. Please note that seating is limited.
More information
October 27, 2026, 7pm
Julian Randall and Noel Quiñones: A Reading and Conversation
Amherst College Creative Writing Center
CHI Think Tank (Lyceum 101), Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum building
197 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
More information
October 27, 2026, 7pm
Jason Schneiderman Poetry Reading
Smith College, Boutelle-Day Poetry Center
Weinstein Auditorium, 5 Chapin Dr, Northampton, MA 01063
More information
October 30, 2026, 7:30pm
The Poetry Brothel Boston: MONSTERS!
The Poetry Society of New York
Sonia Live Music Venue, 10 Brookline Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Poetry Brothel Boston invites you into the forest for MONSTERS, an immersive Halloween literary cabaret and film-noir fever dream of things that go bump in the night. An immersive literary cabaret featuring burlesque, drag, mysticism, one-on-one readings, & a startling glimpse of your innermost self.
More information