The sun is shining and summer is here! If you’re looking for something to do in June, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
June 4-6, 2026 71st Annual Willa Cather Spring Conference The National Willa Cather Center, 413 N Webster St. Red Cloud, All Day The Willa Cather Spring Conference returns with the theme “Memory, Myth, and Meaning: Cather in Dialogue with America 250.” This event invites readers, scholars, and artists to explore the enduring relevance of Willa Cather’s work. Centered on the publication centenary of her novella My Mortal Enemy, the program features keynote speaker Rebecca Romney, scholarly plenaries, and a mixed media exhibit by Susan Hart. Other highlights include the opening of All Aboard: West-Bound Trains in American Culture at the historic Burlington Depot and a special performance of The Bohemian by Harbor Stage Company. Set in Cather’s hometown of Red Cloud, the conference offers a rich blend of scholarship, art, and place. Please join us for a celebration of Cather’s literature in dialogue with America’s past and present.
June 6, 2026 “Roxie In Color” Book Release & Author Signing Sower Books, 914 N 70th St. Lincoln, 2:00 pm Meet the authors Diane Debrovner & Stacy Cervenka and snag their brand-new book Roxie in Color! Written for ages 9–12, but packed with things everyone will love! Roxie wants to blend in at a new school, which is hard to do when your parents are blind, in this remarkable novel about friendship, misperceptions, and family—plus a dog’s view of the world.
June 6, 2026 Shake Night Double Feature with Old School Shakespeare Omaha Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S 6th St. Council Bluffs, IA 7:00 pm Opera Omaha and Old School Shakespeare Omaha come together for a unique evening of words and art. First, experience Opera Omaha’s one-act opera, UnShakeable: Three years after a mysterious epidemic has left its survivors plagued by memory loss, two actors reunite in a desolate theater using the only common language they can find: Shakespeare. As they search for sparks of their forgotten past, they’ll need the audience’s help to connect them to memories and emotions that linger just out of reach. Next, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy an immersive performance of Hamlet, presented by Old School Shakespeare Omaha. Step into a world of grief, ghosts, madness, mirrors, and the dangerous (and beautiful) duality of the human mind.
June 8, 2026 Judy Lorenzen Poetry Reading & Discussion Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Judy Lorenzen’s poetry holds both joy and sorrow—family, forgiveness, and the quiet wonders of nature. Honest and tender, her work has been praised for the way love threads through even life’s struggles.
June 9, 2026 Visiting Author: Visiting Author – Garrett Peck “The Bright Edges of the World: Willa Cather and Her Archbishop” Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St. Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Join us as we welcome author and historian Garrett Peck, from New Mexico, to Francie & Finch Bookshop! He will be presenting his book, The Bright Edges of the World: Willa Cather and Her Archbishop. The book explores Cather’s travels to the Southwest that inspired her to write her “best book” (her words), Death Comes for the Archbishop.
June 9, 2026 History Unveiled: “Disparate Regimes in the United States, 1865-1965” Presented by Author Brendan Shanahan Nebraska History Museum, 131 Centennial Mall N. Lincoln, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Who decides the rights of immigrants? Historian Brendan A. Shanahan arrives at the Nebraska History Museum to discuss his award-winning book Disparate Regimes: Nativist Politics, Alienage Law, and Citizenship Rights in the United States, 1865–1965. This event is free and open to the public thanks to the support of the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation. This lecture is the first presentation during the museum’s summer History Unveiled program series, each month from June to August.
June 10, 2026 The No Gatekeepers Poetry Night Joslyn Castle Music Room, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Run by Castle and Cathedral Creative District Artist in Residence Matt Mason, Bring 2 poems: one of your own, one by another poet (friend, favorite song lyrics, etc.). Both poems should make us feel and/or understand some kind of experience, story, etc. You have 5 minutes, after which a horn will sound. All of us have poems that reach us, though often we don’t call them just poems, we call them song lyrics, rap lyrics, cowboy poetry, slam poetry, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein. Tonight, we give the gatekeeper the night off and welcome you to entertain us. It’s just us.
May 12, 2026 Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic with Aliyah American Horse St Mark’s on the Campus, 1309 R St. Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 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 Aliyah American Horse will feature. If time remains, Open Mic will will follow until closing.
June 13, 2026 Visiting Author: Visiting Author – Lisa Knopp “Ravelings: Essays on Love, Loss, and Wonder (American Lives)” Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St. Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Join us as we welcome author Lisa Knopp! She will read from her recent book of essays, Ravelings, published by the University of Nebraska Press. In Ravelings, Lisa Knopp takes up an older, opposing meaning of the verb “ravel” — “to entangle” — as she explores the deaths and departures of loved ones and the rituals by which we mourn and honor them, while contemplating her relationships with writing, spirituality, sense of home, aging, desire, and the relationship between body and mind.
June 17, 2026 Once Upon a Time at the Castle Joslyn Castle & Gardens, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Once Upon a Time at the Castle is a storytime adventure featuring a youth librarian who will transport you to a world of imaginary characters. After story time, we will learn about the real creatures we read about with live wildlife interactions and activities. Each month will be a new way to engage with storytelling and nature! This is a free series for the community, best suited for children ages 2-8. Wear good shoes and BOYB (bring your own blanket) and snacks! In the case of inclement weather or heat advisories, we will move inside the Castle or Carriage House.
June 18, 2026 Art Walk and Poetry Pause Joslyn Castle Carriage House, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 5:30 – 6:30 pm During the Castle and Cathedral Creative District’s Art Walk, the Nebraska Poetry Society features two local poets at different points in their writing lives who share their work, discuss poetry and the creative process, and answer questions. Featured June poets are Shyla Ann Shehan and Leta Iris.
June 18, 2026 Writers in Conversation – Third Thursday with Margaret Lukas and Claudia J. Severin Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd. Lincoln, 6:00 - 6:30 pm 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. Join for discussion between writers Margaret Lukas and Claudia J. Severin.
June 25, 2026 What’s Your American Story Writing Workshop with Matt Mason St. Cecilia Cathedral Cultural Center, 3900 Webster St. Omaha, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Castle and Cathedral Creative District Artist in Residence Matt Mason teaches a writing workshop. Mason reprises his first What’s Your American Story workshop with writing about what brings you/your family to Omaha/Nebraska/USA.
June 27, 2026 Poetry Workshop: That Bloomin’ Poetry Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Omaha, 10:00 – 11:30 am Ever really looked at a flower as it blooms—noticed the petals, wondered what each part is called, and how the bloom plays a role in the life of the plant? What does that have to do with poetry? In this outdoor workshop, we’ll explore the many ways things “bloom,” both in nature and in our lives, using observation as a starting point for creative writing. Bring a notebook, something to write with, and come prepared to spend time outside as you find fresh inspiration in the garden. Dress for the weather, bring water, and use sun protection, if needed! Led by Julie S. Paschold.
June 27, 2026 Poetry Office Hours with Matt Mason Joslyn Castle’s Carriage House, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 12:00 – 2:00 pm Drop in to talk with Castle and Cathedral Creative District Artist in Residence Matt Mason about poetry, ask a question, or bring your laptop and submit poems to literary magazines. Mason hopes to hold these on the 2nd Saturday of the month through September.
June 27, 2026 Book Launch Party: “Wheel Man” by Marcia Calhoun Forecki Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N. Cotner Blvd. Lincoln, 3:00 – 5:00 pm Join for a book launch celebration for Marcia Calhoun Forecki, author of Wheel Man. Readings and conversation will take place and snacks will be provided. Francie & Finch Bookstore will be on premises with books to sell!
June 30, 2026 Book of Poetry Launch: Nicole Lachat in Conversation with Ber Anena “The Red We Silk” Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St. Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Join us welcoming poet Nicole Lachat as she presents her new book of poetry The Red We Silk. Nicole will be joined in a special conversation with fellow writer, Ber Anena. The Red We Silk collects inherited migrations and the weight of familial journeys into a lyric investigation of displacement and longing. Memory abides in the body and the body in memory, propelling the speaker through geographical and spiritual landscapes, desires, and griefs toward the transformative work of discovery. Tender, attentive, and multivocal, these are poems of belonging beyond borders.
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.
Where Nebraska Center for the Book board members share their thoughts about the books they are reading. This month’s review is by Pat Leach, past NCB President.
Review of Godfall: A Novel by Van Jensen.
—————————————————————————
Part of the University of Nebraska Press Flyover Fiction Series, this is the story of the sheriff in a fictional small Nebraska town after it has been transformed by a big event–a three-mile-long space alien landed, dead, just outside of town. I don’t usually enjoy science fiction, but this book seemed more about people than about an unfamiliar future world. It also incorporates a murder mystery. There’s a lot going on, and so it reads quickly. Van Jensen does a great job describing Nebraska small town life; he’s from the Lewellen area.
The season is in full bloom with fun literary events around the state! If you’re looking for something to do in May, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
May 1, 2026 First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Terese Svoboda Zoom, 12:00 pm Native of Ogallala, Terese Svoboda published her second memoir and 24th book, Hitler and My Mother-in-Law in December of 2025. Publishers Weekly gave it a star, and the New York Times Book Review gave Roxy and Coco, her eighth novel, and The Long Swim, her third story collection a full page in 2024. Theatrix: Poetry Plays, her eighth book of poetry, appeared in 2021.
May 2, 2026 Bethany in Bloom Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd. Lincoln, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Bethany in Bloom returns bringing vendors, music, poetry, local businesses, and community organizations back to N. Cotner Blvd from Holdrege to Aylesworth. With 20 vendors already signed up, this year’s festival continues to grow into a full day of neighborhood activity. Events include a Write-a-Thon, Book Sale, Slam Poetry Showcase featuring Jess Badousek, Esman R.C., Alia Hurst and Alex Hamric, and Donor Recognition.
May 7, 2026 Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic with Barbara Schmitz St Mark’s on the Campus, 1309 R St. Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 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 Barbara Schmitz will feature. If time remains, Open Mic will will follow until closing.
May 8, 2026 Bethany in Bloom Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd. Lincoln, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Bethany in Bloom returns bringing vendors, music, poetry, local businesses, and community organizations back to N. Cotner Blvd from Holdrege to Aylesworth. With 20 vendors already signed up, this year’s festival continues to grow into a full day of neighborhood activity. Events include a Write-a-Thon, Book Sale, Slam Poetry Showcase featuring Jess Badousek, Esman R.C., Alia Hurst and Alex Hamric, and Donor Recognition.
May 9, 2026 The Opera Omaha Poetry & Music Project Concert Omaha Conservatory of Music, 518 N 40th St. Omaha, 1:00 pm Now in its 9th year, the Poetry & Music Project connects student poets and their words with composers to create original music and explore the connections between poetry and music. The Poetry & Music Project is a statewide program run in partnership with the Nebraska Writers Collective to amplify the voices of youth poets across Nebraska and Iowa. The project connects student poets and their words with composers to create original music and explore the connections between poetry and music.
May 12, 2026 Local Author Series: Danilo John Thomas Joslyn Castle Carriage House, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Join us in celebrating the work of local author Danilo John Thomas. The author will be mining his debut short story collection Ore Vein with the company of banjoist Robert Schmidt. Ore Vein explores the thin spaces between hardship and heroism prevalent in small-town America. Thomas captures what it feels like to come of age among the urban decay and cracked pastoral landscapes of Southwestern Montana and a fictionalized version of the town where he was raised.
May 12, 2026 What’s Your American Story Writing Workshop with Matt Mason St. Cecilia Cathedral Cultural Center, 3900 Webster St. Omaha, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Castle and Cathedral Creative District Artist in Residence Matt Mason teaches a writing workshop. Mason reprises his first What’s Your American Story workshop with writing about what brings you/your family to Omaha/Nebraska/USA.
May 13, 2026 The No Gatekeepers Poetry Night Joslyn Castle Music Room, 3902 Davenport St. Omaha, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Run by Castle and Cathedral Creative District Artist in Residence Matt Mason, Bring 2 poems: one of your own, one by another poet (friend, favorite song lyrics, etc.). Both poems should make us feel and/or understand some kind of experience, story, etc. You have 5 minutes, after which a horn will sound. All of us have poems that reach us, though often we don’t call them just poems, we call them song lyrics, rap lyrics, cowboy poetry, slam poetry, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein. Tonight, we give the gatekeeper the night off and welcome you to entertain us. It’s just us.
May 15, 2026 Spoken Word, Featured Reading and Open Mic The Ellery, 1247 S 11th St. Lincoln, 7:00 pm A spoken word featured reading and open mic hosted by Esman Rodas Calderon. 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 9:00. This month’s theme is “Voices and Versos: En celebración”.
May 17, 2026 Salon Reading Series: “Diamond and Bone” Turbine Flats, Resonator Gallery, 2124 Y St. Lincoln, 6:30 - 9:00 pm Each Salon Reading Series event features a reading of a play followed by a moderated discussion of the play’s themes and how these themes apply to the community. The theme for 2025-26 is “Find Your Place.” This month’s feature is Diamond and Bone by Jordan Morille, a talented but tormented ballplayer fighting for his last shot at the majors while battling ghosts of family, faith, and failure. Blurring memory, dream, and reality, the play explores guilt and redemption in America’s pastime with dark humor, lyrical grit, and raw emotion.
May 21, 2026 Writers in Conversation – Third Thursday with Maria Nazos and Saddiq Dzukogi Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd. Lincoln, 6:00 - 7:30 pm 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. Join for discussion between writers Maria Nazos and Saddiq Dzukogi.
May 28, 2026 Stories & Verse: A Spoken Word Competition Bellevue Public Library, 2206 Longo Dr. Bellevue, 5:30 - 7:00 pm Participants will perform original work solo with a three-minute time limit. Judges will score each performance, and one winner will be selected. Ages 18+, registration is required.
May 30, 2026 Musicality and the Long Poem with Allison Adele Hedge Coke Zoom, 10:00 – 11:30 am Let sound guide your pen. In this workshop, explore rhythm, tone, and improvisation to create long-form poems that sing—expanding your sense of structure, continuity, and flow.
May 30, 2026 Poetry Workshop: Blackout Poetry Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Omaha, 10:00 – 11:30 am Join instructor Julie S. Paschold for a morning creating blackout poetry, a form of found poetry where a poet selects words from existing text and “blacks out” part of the page to reveal a new poem. Review examples and discuss the meaning behind this art crossing into literature. Supplies will be provided, but bring your favorite markers or Sharpie, if desired, and your imaginative mind! Pre-registration is 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.
What do all of these #BookFace pictures have in common? They’ve all received a Nebraska Book Award! You could join this excellent group of authors, publishers, and illustrators, but you have to submit your book for consideration. You’ll have to act fast because the deadline for entries is May 31, 2026.
The Nebraska Book Awards recognize and honor books that are written by Nebraska authors and illustrators, published by Nebraska publishers, set in Nebraska, or relate to Nebraska. Books published in 2025, as indicated by the copyright date, are eligible for nomination. They must be professionally published, have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), and be bound. Books may be entered in one or more of the following categories: Nonfiction, Fiction, Children/Young Adult, Cover/Design/Illustration, and Poetry. The entry fee is $40 per book and per category entered. For more information about the Book Awards and how to submit visit https://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/awards/nebookawards.html.
Winners of the 2026 Nebraska Book Awards will be featured at the Nebraska Celebration of Books (NCOB) Literary Festival. Held on Saturday, November 14th, from 10:00am-5:30pm, this literary event will be on the second floor of the UNL City Campus Union and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center in downtown Lincoln. For more information about the Nebraska Book Awards visit centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/awards/nebookawards.html.
