Word Up Next
Word Up Next is a listing of writers’ events in Salem and nearby towns. We have recently revised the listing so that all recurring writing meet-ups and Open Mics are listed at the bottom. Want to add something to the calendar? Email ellorelizabeth@gmail.com.
December
Friday, December 21, 10 am – 12 pm
SCBWI Meet & Greet (Metro North)
Trail’s End Café, 97 Lowell Road, Concord
A chance to meet other children’s book writers and illustrators. Learn More
Friday, December 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Book Signing with Local Authors
Jabberwocky Books,50 Water St, Newburyport
Newburyport Invitation Nights are a chance to wander the historic streets and check out shops that stay open late, offering libations and snacks. Join me and other local authors at Jabberwocky Books! Signed copies, book recommendations, and general revelry awaits! Learn More
January
Saturday, January 5, 10 am – 12 pm
Journal Writing Workshop
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem
Saturday morning writing workshop.
Details to come. Learn More
Thursdays, January 10-February 14
Guided Memoir Workshops
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St, S. Hamilton
Join us as we combine guided autobiographical writing with small group experiences to jumpstart your memoir, two pages at a time. Explore your life story with flexible themes like family, money, health & wellness, or life’s work. During the first hour engage with poems, prose excerpts, and quick write assignments, as well as prompting questions to facilitate writing and thinking. During the second hour, participants will read short works and receive supportive feedback from others. This group is geared toward new writers and is especially powerful for those entering a new phase of life, but everyone can benefit. Free and open to the public, funded by the Wenham COA and Friends of the Library. Learn More
Saturday, January 12, 7 pm – 9 pm
Storytelling
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem
In the spirit of the Moth Radio Hour, the Salem Athenaeum Writing Committee offers another evening of live storytelling on the theme of resolutions.
Come hear true stories from community members.
Tonight’s theme is food. Learn More
Tuesday, January 22, 6 – 8 pm
Winter Warm-up to Support the Salem Athenaeum
Adriatic Restaurant & Bar, 155 Washington St, Salem
Enjoy an evening of friends and complimentary hors d’oeuvres courtesy of the Adriatic. As you soak in the warmth and comfort of one of Salem’s premier eating and drinking establishments, we’re hoping to raise essential operating funds to help support our programs for 2019.
$25 All proceeds support the Athenæum. Cash bar. Learn More
Saturday, January 29th, 10a – 3 pm
Scribbler’s Ink Day Prompt Workshop
Nahant
Gift yourself with a day of writing. Join us Scribbler’s for our get your hand moving across the page New Year’s Writing Workshop on Saturday, January 29th in picturesque Nahant. Register Today!
Learn More
Recurring Meet-Ups & Open Mics
Below is a listing of writing groups and writing meet-ups happening in the area. We do our best to keep this up-to-date but please click the link to confirm weekly meeting times with the group’s web page. Want to add your group? Email ellorelizabeth@gmail.com.
Ipswich Poetry Group
Dates/Times: 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 6:30 PM
Location: Ipswich Library, Collins Room, 25 N Main St, Ipswich
The Ipswich Poetry Group meets to share poems in progress and give and receive feedback. All are welcome! Email ipswichpoetrygroup@gmail.com with questions or call Sarah at 617-584-7025. For more info
North Shore Poets’ Forum Meetings
Dates/Times: 3rd Saturday of the month at 11 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St, Beverly
Members are asked to bring a little bit of food or a beverage to share (cookies, little sandwiches, cheese, whatever). Each meeting will feature a presentation on a poet, movement or form that should be of general interest to members. After the program, members are encouraged to bring an original poem and six to 10 copies for members to offer gentle critique. Upcoming dates: October 6, November 17, December 1 (Joint meeting with Massachusetts State Poetry Society, Annual Holiday Party) For More Info
Open Mic
Dates/Times: 1st Monday of the month, 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Location: Gloucester Writer’s Center, 126 East Main St, Gloucester
Read for five minutes. Bring your words. Get heard. For More Info
Amesbury Library Writers’ Group
Dates/Times: Monthly on the 1st Wednesday at 6:30 pm
Location: Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St, Amesbury
The Amesbury Library Writers’ Group is an open group of writers who are currently working on writing projects. The purpose of the group is to meet to read and critique the writings of each group member. Each member is to be actively and regularly engaged in submitting their own work in progress for review, regularly reading the submissions of other members of the group, and regularly meeting in person to discuss their writings and the writings of the other group members. Writers in all genres are welcome to attend.
The group will meet the first Wednesday of every month. This group is open to anyone who would like to participate and an individual must attend two consecutive meetings of the group to have their work critiqued. This group will be run and facilitated by volunteeers
The library hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there will be a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Stephen Wagner, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event.
For More Info
Powow River Poets Reading Series
Dates/Times: Bimonthly, 2nd Saturday at 3 pm; next up Nov. 10
Location: Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St, Newburyport
The bimonthly series, is free and open to the public, and includes an Open Mic. Poetry enthusiasts are urged to attend. The Open Mic is limited to ten poets, so come early to the library to sign up. The time limit is one poem or two minutes, whichever is shorter, so please time your reading when you rehearse. For More Info
Readers & Writers Guild
Dates/Times: 3rd Friday of select months at 7:30 pm
Location: Christ Church, 149 Asbury Street, South Hamilton
Our Readers & Writers Guild meets to hear a featured reader as well as share open mic time, peruse attendee’s books for sale, and enjoy pot luck refreshments. Upcoming meetings: November 16; January 18, 2019
Check website for featured writers. All are welcome! For More Info
River Bards Fall Poetry Series & Open Mic
Dates/Times: First Friday of the month at 7 pm
Location: Battle Grounds Coffee Company, Haverhill
Creative Haverhill’s River Bards present Fall Poetry Series and Open Mic nights at Battle Grounds Coffee Company! Each event will begin with a featured poet, followed by the open mic portion of the evening. Participants should limit their readings to 3-5 minutes. Sign ups are first come, first served on the night of the event. Food and drink are available for purchase! For More Info
Witch City Writers’ Workshop
Dates/Times: 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm
Location: Varies between Beverly Library and the Cummings Center
Join our workshop! Please review submissions before you attend and be ready to offer feedback (written feedback is always welcome). Please also review the workshop guidelines in the drop-off folder. You are welcome to bring food/drink (no alcohol). Please bring a $2 cash contribution to workshop meetings to participate. If you prefer, you can bring $30 cash for a full year of no-fee workshops. For More Info
Writer’s Open Studio
Dates/Times: Every Tuesday at 8:40 am – 11:30 am
Location: Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem
Weekly Writing Studios at the Salem Athenaeum. The building will be open from 9:45-12:00 every Tuesday (unless announced otherwise). Feel free to come by and write in a quiet peaceful setting. Come for as long as you’d like–for 20 minutes or all three hours. For More Info
Salem Writer’s Group
Date/Time:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm
Location: Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St, Salem
All are welcome to bring work-in-progress to share with the group for feedback. The group is facilitated by J.D. Scrimgeour, Professor of English, Salem State University. For more info
Winter Street Writer’s
Date/Time: Last Tuesday of the Month 9:30 – 11 am
Location: Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St, Beverly
We are a Beverly-based writing group.
For inquiries, please contact winterstreetwriters5@gmail.com
Poetry Open Mic
Date/Time: Last Tuesday of the Month 6-7 pm
Location: Amesbury Public Library, 149 Main St, Amesbury
The library hosts a monthly poetry series with an open mic. Each month there will be a featured poet followed by a discussion, an open mic and light refreshments. Stephen Wagner, Amesbury Poet Laureate, hosts this event. Learn More