9/25, Th-- 7-10pm, NEWISH Poetry Slam with Live Music at NOMA (2510 N 24th St, Omaha). Presented by the Nebraska Writers Collective and hosted by Zedeka Poindexter, see more at the Facebook Event page. Registration is $10, Grand prize is $100 (every last Thursday).
Next events: 10/30, 11/27?, 12/25?, etc.

9/26, F-- 7pm, The Love Language: A Poetic Experience at No More Empty Pots (8501 N 30th St, Omaha). This 21+ show is hosted by Jonny Knogood with sounds by Getejikewithit and featuring Shanketta O'Neal, Allen Stevenson, Paula Bell, Jewel Rodgers, and a rooftop dinner. Limited tickets, get them at: eventbrite.com/e/the-love-language-a-poetic-experience-tickets-1629542608809.

9/27, Sa-- 6pm, Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers hosts an evening of fine dining and poetry at the historic Florence Mill (9102 N 30th St, Omaha). Guests will enjoy a 5-course dinner with curated wine pairings, crafted in partnership with renowned Chef Djamil Bah-Traore of House of Bah. Performances feature Jewel Rodgers, along with Matt Mason, Zedeka Poindexter, Aliyah American Horse (Nebraska and Midwest Youth Laureate Emeritus), and WayOfLife Wardlow (lyricist and thought leader). Together, these artists will present words, music, and stories that highlight Nebraska’s vibrant arts and culture while sharing the vision of the Nebraska State Poet Project. Seating is limited, and early reservations are required at: newriters.networkforgood.com/events/90673-state-poet-dinner-party.

9/28, Su-- 2-6pm, The Bouteloua LitART FEST at Glacier Creek Preserve (14810 State Street, Bennington). A Celebration of Prose, Poetry, and Pottery featuring Ross Gay, Daniel Gathman, Jen Stastny, Jeff Lacey, and Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers.
2pm, Opening
2:15pm, Authors' Panel: "Keepin' the Romance Alive: The Relationships Between Writing and Teaching" with Daniel Gathman, Jen Stastny, Jeff Lacey, and Jewel Rodgers
3:30pm, Group Pottery Project for All Ages
4:30pm, Ross Gay, Reading and Conversations with the best-selling author of The Book Of Delights, Inciting Joy, and The Book Of (More) Delights.

9/28, Su-- 2pm, What: A reading with poets Greg Kosmicki and Cat Dixon at The Bookworm Bookstore (2501 So. 90th St, Ste. 111). For more details, see BookwormOmaha.com.

9/29, M-- 7pm, Ross Gay Reading and Book Signing in the UNO Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom (UNO campus, 60th and Dodge, Omaha). Ross Gay is the best-selling author of The Book Of Delights, Inciting Joy, and The Book Of (More) Delights.

9/30, Tu-- 5:30-7:30pm, Writing from the Fence Post, a 5-week creative writing series on Tuesdays at ScatterJoy Acres (4107 Waverly Rd, Murray). See details at the Facebook Event page. Schedule:
9/9, Marsupial Memoirs; 9/16, Haikus with Cowse; 9/23, Llama tell you, life's too short for drama
9/30, Goats, the original kings and queens of the hill: Chill in the Goat Yard and focus on fantasy or fables.
10/7, Open Mic Night: Share your works on our stage, cheer on your fellow writers, sit back while enjoying snacks and drinks.

9/30, Tu-- 6:30-7:30pm, An Evening of Poetry featuring Barbara Schmitz and Greg Kosmicki at the Norfolk Public Library (308 Prospect Ave, Norfolk). See details at the Facebook Event page.

10/1, W-- 6-7:30pm, Omaha Reads: Bilingual Poetry Workshop at Willa Cather Branch Library (1905 S. 44th St, Omaha). Join Angelica Perez of the Nebraska Writers Collective for a bilingual poetry workshop inspired by Solito by Javier Zamora. Angelica is bilingual and brings experience helping poets express their voices in the language that feels most authentic. This is a free event. Online registration is required, see more at: omaha.bibliocommons.com/events/68752d71eea0f638de3df146.

10/1, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)
--After the event on the 1st Monday of each month, you're invited to join Write After, a writing group that meets around the conclusion of this event.

10/2, Th-- 7pm, Verse & Vibes open mic night at Indigo Cottage Crafts (2063 Creekside Dr, Papillion). This event is sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society, doors open at 6:30, free and open to all. (1st Thursday)
Next events: 10/2, 11/6, 12/4, etc.

10/3, F-- Noon, First Friday Book Talk and Reading through Larksong Writers Place but on Zoom. Register at: larksongwritersplace.org. Free, registration required.
10/3, Terena Elizabeth Bell, author of Tell Me What You See: Ten Stories

10/3, F-- 6-7:30pm, An Evening of Great Irish Writers with Neil O'Shea at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). Tonight features a stand up performance of extracts from the works of some of the great writers to come out of Ireland, including Swift, Wilde, Shaw, Yeats, Synge, Joyce and more. Neil O'Shea is an actor from Dublin who has appeared in theaters across Ireland and toured with the Irish Actors Theatre Company in Europe and the USA and has performed throughout Ireland, in Germany, Sweden, London, as well as in the USA. This event is FREE and open to the public.

10/3, F-- 8pm, the Holland 20th Anniversary Concert at the Holland Performing Arts Center (). This special anniversary concert will honor two decades of unforgettable history and celebrate the vibrant community that has shared this space, created memories, and experienced the wonder of live performance together. Among the performers is poet Zedeka Poindexter. $26 Tickets. For tickets and details, go to: ticketomaha.com/Productions/holland-20th-anniversary.

10/7, Tu-- 5:30-7:30pm, Writing from the Fence Post, a 5-week creative writing series on Tuesdays at ScatterJoy Acres (4107 Waverly Rd, Murray). See details at the Facebook Event page. Schedule:
9/9, Marsupial Memoirs; 9/16, Haikus with Cows; 9/23, Llama tell you, life's too short for drama; 9/30, Goats, the original kings and queens of the hill
10/7, Open Mic Night: Share your works on our stage, cheer on your fellow writers, sit back while enjoying snacks and drinks.

10/7: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents the Nebraska Poets Reading Series at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. See details at: nepoetrysociety.org/readings. Events are online, free and open to the public:
10/7, Mary K. Stillwell
11/4, Charles Fort
12/2, Allison Adelle Hedge Coke

10/8, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

10/8, W-- 7:30pm, the UNO Writer's Workshop Fall 2025 Reading Series at the UNO Campus, Omaha. For more details, see unomaha.edu/college-of-communication-fine-arts-and-media/writers-workshop/reading-series/wrws-reading-series.php.
9/17, poet Hope Wabuke in the Samual Bak Museum (2289 S 67th St, Omaha)
10/8, poet, novelist and art journalist Eileen Myles in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom
11/5, novelist, essayist and short story writer Jonathen Lethem in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom

10/9, Th-- 7-9pm, The Lincoln Poetry Slam at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 11/13, 12/11, etc.

10/10, F-- 6-8pm, Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic at St Mark's on the Campus (1309 R St, Lincoln). Each event has a featured reader from 6-7:30pm and open mic in any remaining time up to 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. See full details at:sites.google.com/view/smoc-lion. (2nd Friday)
10/10: John G. Neihardt will read (with help from Nancy Gillis)
11/14: Tyler Michael Jacobs
12/12: Stephen Buhler, reading from Ted Kooser's poetry

10/11, Sa-- 7-9pm, The Omaha Poetry Slam at The Local Art Plug (1722 St Mary's Ave, Omaha). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Saturday)
Next events: 11/8, 12/13, etc.

10/15, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

10/16, Th-- 6:30-7:30pm, Writers in Conversation, Third Thursdays @ Larksong at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). Each month Writers in Conversation invites two writers at differing stages of their writing career 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. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 11/20, 12/18, etc.

10/16 Th-- 7-9pm, Vocal Fry, a monthly spoken word open mic at Local Art Plug (Flatiron Building, 1722 St Marys Ave, Omaha). Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. Tonight Featuring Nathan B. Wise. Doors open at 6:30 with performances starting at 7. No registration is required. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 11/20, 12/18, etc.

10/17, F-- 7pm, A spoken word featured reading and open mic at The Ellery (1247 S 11th St, Lincoln). Hosted by Esman Rodas Calderon. (Third Friday, new theme each month)
After the event, you're invited to join Write After, a writing group that meets around the conclusion of this event (around 8:30 or 9).

10/18, Sa-- 10am: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents online writing workshops on different topics, led by some wonderful poets on a Saturday each month. $35 or free to members. For more information and to register, go to: nepoetrysociety.org/workshops:
10/18: Melissa Fite Johnson, Humor in Poetry
11/8: Courtney LeBlanc, Pop Culture Poems
12/6: Todd Robinson, Writing Autobiographical Poetry

10/22, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

10/23, Th-- Noon-2pm, Writers' Workshop with Tyler Michael Jacobs at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney). Please bring along something to write with and write on. $15, information and registration at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=203233.

10/23, Th-- 7-8pm, Poetry Reading with Tyler Michael Jacobs at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney). Tyler is the author of The Weight of Drought forthcoming from Stephen F. Austin State University Press and Building Brownville (Stephen F. Austin State University Press, 2022). Free. See more at https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=203234.

10/26, Su-- 2-4pm, The Halloween/ Harvest of Words at the Saint Cecilia's Cathedral Parish Center (East of the Cathedral in the north end of the Monsignor Graham Building, 39th and Burt Sts, Omaha). This open mic invites you to bring poems on the theme of Halloween or any other to finish the year. Poets welcome, listeners welcome. Open mic with refreshments and some music. Questions, contact Marc: poetsbuddy@gmail.com .

10/28, Th-- 7-10pm, NEWISH Poetry Slam with Live Music at NOMA (2510 N 24th St, Omaha). Presented by the Nebraska Writers Collective and hosted by Zedeka Poindexter, see more at the Facebook Event page. Registration is $10, Grand prize is $100 (every last Thursday).
Next events: 11/27?, 12/25?, 1/29, 2/26, etc.

10/29, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

11/4: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents the Nebraska Poets Reading Series at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. See details at: nepoetrysociety.org/readings. Events are online, free and open to the public:
11/4, Charles Fort
12/2, Allison Adelle Hedge Coke
1/6, Gene Fendt

11/5, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)
--After the event on the 1st Monday of each month, you're invited to join Write After, a writing group that meets around the conclusion of this event.

11/5, W-- 7:30pm, the UNO Writer's Workshop Fall 2025 Reading Series at the UNO Campus, Omaha. For more details, see unomaha.edu/college-of-communication-fine-arts-and-media/writers-workshop/reading-series/wrws-reading-series.php.
9/17, poet Hope Wabuke in the Samual Bak Museum (2289 S 67th St, Omaha)
10/8, poet, novelist and art journalist Eileen Myles in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom
11/5, novelist, essayist and short story writer Jonathen Lethem in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom

11/6, Th-- 7pm, Verse & Vibes open mic night at Indigo Cottage Crafts (2063 Creekside Dr, Papillion). This event is sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society, doors open at 6:30, free and open to all. (1st Thursday)
Next events: 12/4, 1/1, 2/5, etc.

11/7, F-- Noon, First Friday Book Talk and Reading through Larksong Writers Place but on Zoom. Register at: larksongwritersplace.org. Free, registration required.
11/7, TBA

11/8, Sa-- 10am: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents online writing workshops on different topics, led by some wonderful poets on a Saturday each month. $35 or free to members. For more information and to register, go to: nepoetrysociety.org/workshops:
11/8: Courtney LeBlanc, Pop Culture Poems
12/6: Todd Robinson, Writing Autobiographical Poetry

11/8, Sa-- 7-9pm, The Omaha Poetry Slam at The Local Art Plug (1722 St Mary's Ave, Omaha). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Saturday)
Next events: 12/13, 1/10, 2/14, etc.

11/12, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

11/13, Th-- 7-9pm, The Lincoln Poetry Slam at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 12/11, 1/8, 2/12, etc.

11/14, F-- 6-8pm, Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic at St Mark's on the Campus (1309 R St, Lincoln). Each event has a featured reader from 6-7:30pm and open mic in any remaining time up to 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. See full details at:sites.google.com/view/smoc-lion. (2nd Friday)
11/14: Tyler Michael Jacobs
12/12: Stephen Buhler, reading from Ted Kooser's poetry

11/15, Sa-- 10am-4:30pm, The Nebraska Celebration of Books, which aims to celebrate Nebraska's literary heritage and contemporary authors, on the second floor of the UNL City Campus Union and Jackie Gaughn Multicultural Center (14th and R Sts, Lincoln). The event features 2025 One Book One Nebraska author Tosca Lee, past and present State Poets Matt Mason and Jewel Rodgers, book vendors, publishers, and presentation of the Nebraska Book Awards, Mildred Bennett Award and Jane Geske Award, and the 2026 One Book One Nebraska announcement. The Nebraska Book Awards are sponsored and facilitated by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Library Commission.

11/19, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

11/20, Th-- 6:30-7:30pm, Writers in Conversation, Third Thursdays @ Larksong at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). Each month Writers in Conversation invites two writers at differing stages of their writing career 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. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 12/18, 1/15, 2/19, etc.

11/20 Th-- 7-9pm, Vocal Fry, a monthly spoken word open mic at Local Art Plug (Flatiron Building, 1722 St Marys Ave, Omaha). Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. Tonight Featuring Nathan B. Wise. Doors open at 6:30 with performances starting at 7. No registration is required. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 12/18, 1/15, 2/19, etc.

11/21, F-- 7pm, A spoken word featured reading and open mic at The Ellery (1247 S 11th St, Lincoln). Hosted by Esman Rodas Calderon. (Third Friday, new theme each month)
After the event, you're invited to join Write After, a writing group that meets around the conclusion of this event (around 8:30 or 9).
Next events: 12/19, 1/16, 2/20, etc.

11/26, W-- 7-9pm, The Crescent Moon Writers' Night: Open Mic at Crescent Moon Coffee (in The Apothecary, 140 N 8th St, Lincoln). See more at crescentmooncoffee.com. Signup starts at 6:30pm, hosted by Jeff Martinson. (every Wednesday)

11/27?, Th-- 7-10pm, NEWISH Poetry Slam with Live Music at NOMA (2510 N 24th St, Omaha). Presented by the Nebraska Writers Collective and hosted by Zedeka Poindexter, see more at the Facebook Event page. Registration is $10, Grand prize is $100 (every last Thursday).
Next events: 12/25?, 1/29, 2/26, etc.