Make sure to check out some fun literary events before summer ends! If you’re looking for something to do in August, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
- August 1, 2024 Verse & Vibes Open Mic Night
Indigo Cottage Crafts, 2063 Creekside Dr.
Papillion, NE, 6:30 pm
The first Thursday of every month we open the mic at an artsy space full of good vibes, and not just because of the coffee and liquor bar! Event is open to poets, authors, writers, musicians, anyone who has talent to share. Free event. - August 2, 2024 First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Anna Monardo
Zoom, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Anna Monardo reads from her new memoir, “After Italy: A Family Memoir of Arranged Marriage, ” the story of two marriages undone by a dowry and the fallout on 3 generations of a Southern Italian family. Monardo has published fiction, poetry, and essays. She is a winner of the Prairie Schooner’s short fiction prize and teaches in the Writer’s Workshop at UN-Omaha. - August 4, 2024 59th Annual Neihardt Day: Spend the Afternoon in Poet’s Town!
The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, 306 W Elm St.
Bancroft, NE, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and join us on the beautiful grounds of the Neihardt Center to celebrate Nebraska’s Poet Laureate! Learn more about the Hugh Glass Monument to Courage that now resides at the Neihardt Center, with unique perspectives offered by Neihardt’s Granddaughter Alexis Petri, and History Nebraska Archeologist Jennifer Banks. Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason will be the Master of Ceremonies and share his poems. - August 5, 2024 Stand Up Comedy Bootcamp for Beginners
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln, NE, 4:00 – 6:00 pm with extra performance time at 7:00 pm
Join Serenity Dougherty in a 5-session Stand-up Comedy Writing Bootcamp, taking you through everything you need to know to write and perform your first stand-up comedy set! The bootcamp meets for 5 Mondays from 4:00-6:00pm, beginning 7/8/24. The cost is $250.00, with scholarships available. Limit 12 participants. - August 6, 2024 Hannah Wilkinson Poetry Reading and Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Poetry that examines the toxic cycles of love and loss, attachment and abandonment, and infatuation and disappointment – the matters of the heart broken and made whole again. - August 8, 2024 Resonance Beat Poetry Jam
Razor Wire Productions Art Gallery & Tattoo, 1808 Vinton St.
Omaha, NE, 7:00 pm
Wanna try your hand at pairing your writing with music? Or maybe you’ve just never had the sublime experience of hearing the fusion? Either way, we would like to invite you! Named The Resonance for the beautiful ways these artforms play off one another. - August 10, 2024 The Language of Smell: A Generative Writing Workshop
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln, NE, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
This generative workshop taught by Jessica Poli will focus on the power of smell and sense memory in writing practice. Participants will have a chance to produce their own writing using guided prompts, as well as learn and discuss what makes smell such a sharply evocative and emotional sense memory. We will also briefly explore the world of niche perfumery in order to practice our skills of descriptive scent-based writing using provided fragrance samples. - August 10, 2024 Visiting Author: Colby Coash: “Running Naked: Surviving the Legacy of Family in Rural Nebraska”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 A 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Former Nebraska state senator and author of the new memoir “Running Naked: Surviving the Legacy of Family in Rural Nebraska”, Colby Coash will be sharing his work with guests at Francie & Finch Bookshop! - August 13, 2024 On Writing Presents: Maddie Radcliff
Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St.
Omaha, 6:00 pm
Every Second Tuesday of the Month join us for a special, initimate reading with local authors of all walks of life. This month we’re elated to welcome our very own Co-Executive Director, Maddie Radcliff, to share a special reading of her newest play, “Ye Strange and Tragic Trial of Elizabeth Cornell”. - August 16, 2024 Book Signing/Exclusive Performance by Aliyah American Horse
Plains Theatre, W 2nd St.
Rushville, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Book signing and exclusive performance by Aliyah American Horse, the Midwest Youth Poet Laureate, debuting her book “Shed No Tears Unci”. - August 17, 2024 Visiting Author: Jerry Bockoven: “What Rhymes with Therapy”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 A 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Dr. Jerry Bockoven will be presenting his book “What Rhymes with Therapy”, a book where “each poem is like a therapy session that offers insights and directions designed to make you strong and resilient in a time when the world’s problems push to erode and weaken.” - August 23, 2024 Book Launch: Kwame Dawes: “Sturge Town”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 A 13th St.
Lincoln, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Nebraskan author Kwame Dawes will be reading from his new book of poetry “Sturge Town”, hailed by Herman Sutter of the Library Journal as “filled with tenderness, curiosity, and compassion for what has been and what might be”. - August 24, 2024 Visiting Author: John Janovy, Jr. PhD: “Life Lessons From a Parasite: What Tapeworms, Flukes, Lice, and Roundworms Can Teach Us About Humanity’s Most Difficult Problems”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 A 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Nebraskan author and prize-winning scientist John Janovy, Jr. PhD will be presenting his new book “Life Lessons From a Parasite: What Tapeworms, Flukes, Lice, and Roundworms Can Teach Us About Humanity’s Most Difficult Problems” in a fun and educational event! - August 24, 2024 2024 National Book Festival
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y Lew Place NW.
Washington, D.C., 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
The Nebraska Center for the Book has selected one youth book and one adult book by Nebraska authors to represent the state at the 2024 National Book Festival: “Eat Your Woolly Mammoths!” by James Solheim and “Dancing with the Octopus” by Debora Harding. The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival. - August 27, 2024 Girls Inc. Lunch For The Girls
CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St.
Omaha, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Poet, educator, and author Nikki Giovanni will be the featured speaker at Girls Inc.’s 24th annual Lunch for the Girls. Registration required.
Check out the NCB Calendar to stay up to date on upcoming literary events happening near you!
*The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change.
Some of this month’s events, workshops, or conferences may require registration or charge a fee.
Feel free to contact us if you have an event that you would like to be featured.