Make a splash by participating in these summer literary events! If you’re looking for something to do in July, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
- July 1, 2025 Hadara Bar-Nadav Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Hadara Bar-Nadav’s latest book casts spells and confronts illusions, ignites grief and awe, and challenges our assumptions about what it means to heal our bodies, our families, and our shared histories.
- July 2, 2025 Book Discussion: “Long March Home” with Author Tosca Lee
John A. Stahl Library, 330 North Colfax St.
West Point, 12:00 pm
Join me at the library for a talk about 2025 One Book One Nebraska The Long March Home and more about the writing of this novel with friend and co-author Marcus Brotherton. Books will be available for purchase.
- July 2, 2025 Author Visit – Dusty & Erin Stanczyk: “The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook: 75+ Colorful Recipes to Nourish Your Whole Body, Feed Your Family, and Have Fun Along the Way”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 2063 Creekside Dr.
Papillion, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
This new book will attract parents interested in all things wellness. The authors take a slightly more movement- and lifestyle-centered approach than some family cookbooks, using a framework focused on how to live purposefully by eating, moving, and resting with purpose. Lincoln native authors Erin and Dusty Stanczyk are certified health and lifestyle coaches, and creators of the lifestyle brand and website, EatMoveRest.com.
- July 3, 2025 Verse & Vibes
Indigo Cottage Crafts, 2063 Creekside Dr.
Papillion, 6:30 pm
An open mic at an artsy space full of good vibes, and not just because of the coffee and liquor bar ;). Open to poets, authors, writers, musicians, anyone who has talent to share. Everyone is welcome. Free event. Jules Coral, MC.
- July 4, 2025 First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Cliff Taylor
Zoom, 12:00 pm
Cliff Taylor (enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska) is an award-winning writer, poet, speaker, and storyteller. He is the author of several books, including Notes of an Indigenous Futurist (Hema Press) and the recent essay collection The Shining Hands of My Ponca Ancestors (NDSU Press). A Nebraskan through and through, he currently lives on the Oregon Coast with his sweetheart of many years.
- July 7, 2025 Illustrator Visit with Chloe Burgett
W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd.
Omaha, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Join children’s book illustrator, Chloe Burgett, as she shares what it’s like drawing pictures for children’s books. Chloe will present about her job, read her book, answer questions, and lead a draw-along activity. This is a free event for children of all ages. Parents/caregivers must remain with their child(ren) for the duration of the program. Registration is required.
- July 10, 2025 Stories and Rhymes for Difficult Times: Cultivating our Emotional Heritage with Jerry Bockoven
Norfolk Public Library, 308 W. Prospect Ave,
Norfolk, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Marrying art with psychology, the presentation will use the language of poetry and storytelling to address ways to manage such emotional challenges as depression, anxiety, anger and grief. This presentation is part of Humanities Nebraska’s Speakers Bureau.
- July 11, 2025 Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic with Jewel Rodgers
St Mark’s on the Campus, 1309 R St.
Lincoln, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Guests may study, write, read, relax, sit, talk, and generally socialize with friends over coffee, tea, and other beverages from opening at 5:30 pm until 6:00 pm when Katie Marya and Jessica Poli will feature. If time remains, Open Mic will follow until closing.
- July 12, 2025 Adapting Classical Mythology with Maria Zoccola
Zoom, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Discover how mythology shapes how we see ourselves and the world. In this workshop, you’ll explore how ancient stories shape modern identity, power, and beauty — and create your own myth-inspired poems that speak to today’s truths and transformations.
- July 12, 2025 Omaha Poetry Slam
The Local Art Plug, 1722 St. Marys Ave, Suite 110,
Omaha, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
The Nebraska Writers Collective proudly presents the Omaha Poetry Slam, a monthly open mic and poetry slam, held on the second Saturday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. We will start at 7 p.m. with an open mic and then the competitive individual slam! Sign up at the event. (If you plan to compete in the slam, bring three poems.)
- July 14, 2025 Resonance Beat Poetry Jam
Razor Wire Productions Art Gallery & Tattoo, 1808 Vinton St.
Omaha, 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. Sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society.
- July 17, 2025 The Poetry Pause
Carriage House at Joslyn Castle & Gardens, 3902 Davenport St.
Omaha, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Hear two local poets, one seasoned and one just starting to make waves, read their work and chat about why they write. It’s a great place to sit down, cool off, and enjoy something a little different. The poetry is thoughtful, fun, and totally family-friendly, and you’ll even have the chance to ask the poets questions. Stop by and see what poetry sounds like when it’s shared out loud. This month’s poets are Todd Robinson and Luke Koesters. Todd,aka “The Toddfather,” is a beloved Omaha poet and educator with books from Backwaters Press and Main Street Rag, and decades of teaching and community leadership. Luke is a queer, Asian-American poet and MFA candidate whose work explores identity and expression through a contemporary lens.
- July 17, 2025 Vocal Fry
Shirley Tyree Theater, 2401 N 24th St.
Omaha, 7:00 pm
Prepare to be moved, inspired, and electrified at the only spoken word event in Nebraska dedicated solely to the art of expression. This isn’t just another open mic night—it’s a celebration of storytelling and raw emotion, where voices from all walks of life take center stage. Nathan Lachner and State Poet Jewel Rodgers, MCs.
- July 29, 2025 Reflections in Verse: An Ekphrastic Writing Workshop Inspired by Seeing Double
Assemblage Gallery, 1828 N St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Inspired by the gallery’s latest exhibition, Seeing Double, this ekphrastic writing workshop invites participants to explore artwork that plays with duality, mirrored forms, and layered meaning in both image and concept. We’ll begin with a guided walk through the gallery led by art curator, Anne Pagel, taking time to find the pieces that speak to us most. Then, poet and teaching artist Zedeka Poindexter will lead participants through generative writing prompts designed to spark poetic and narrative responses to the visual work. This is more than just a gallery visit—it’s an opportunity to engage deeply with art and build new creative work that begins with the visual and transforms through words. All levels of writing experience are welcome. Come curious and leave with fresh reflections of your own. Limit 12 participants.
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.
