Cozy up and enjoy these autumn festivities! If you’re looking for something to do in November, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
- November 2, 2025 Visiting Publication: Meet the Flatwater Free Press
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Join us at Francie & Finch Bookshop as we welcome our friends from the Flatwater Free Press! Lincoln reporter Emily Wolf and Managing Editor Ryan Hoffman will be here to let us know what they’ve been working on, listen to guests share what stories they think FFP should work on next, and to hand out their 2025 Commemorative Edition newspaper! - November 4, 2025 Charles Fort Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Fort’s poetry demonstrates, unequivocally, that he is a master of his craft. By turns surreal, tender, terrifying, absurd, and soulful, Fort’s work churns with passionate, forceful expression. - November 5, 2025 UNO Writer’s Workshop Fall 2025 Reading Series with Jonathan Lethem
University of Nebraska Omaha, Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom, 6203 S University Dr Rd N.
Omaha, 7:30 pm
Jonathan is a novelist, essayist, and short story writer. The “bard of Brooklyn” (LitHub) is the author of more than a dozen books—including the much-lauded novels The Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn, which was adapted into a full-length film. He is the winner of a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. In 2021, Lethem was named a Library Lion by the New York Public Library, an honor that recognizes individuals who make significant cultural and educational contributions. He holds an honorary doctorate by the Pratt Institute and is the second-ever Roy E. Disney Chair in Creative Writing at Pomona College, succeeding David Foster Wallace. Lethem’s writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, Rolling Stone, Esquire, New York Times, TheParis Review, The Believer, Granta, and McSweeney’s. He also served as a guest director at the 45th Telluride Film Festival. - November 6, 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. - November 7, 2025 First Friday Book Talk & Reading w/ Theodore Wheeler
Zoom, 12:00 pm
Theodore Wheeler is the award-winning author of four books of fiction, notably the USA Today bestseller The War Begins in Paris and the Amazon bestseller Kings of Broken Things, both of which won Nebraska Book Awards. He has won fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Nebraska Arts Council, and Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany. For fourteen years Wheeler worked as a journalist and he now teaches creative writing in the English Department at Creighton University. - November 7, 2025 Youth Laureate Poetry Party
Sozo Coffeehouse, 1314 Jones St
Omaha, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
This event features a writing workshop on connecting the abstract and the concrete as well as readings by current and former Youth Poets Laureate and finalists. Free food and drinks, all youth poets (ages 13-19) and parents are welcome. - November 8, 2025 Pop Culture Poems with Courtney LeBlanc
Zoom, 10:00 – 11:30 am
What can your favorite band, movie, or childhood toy reveal about your inner world? Join poet Courtney LeBlanc to explore pop culture as a poetic lens in this fun, generative workshop. - November 10, 2025 Visiting Author: John Stevens Berry “Second Comings, Final Tour”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Join Berry Law founder and Pulitzer nominated poet, John Stevens Berry as he presents his newest book of poetry Second Comings, Final Tour. Berry is a decorated Vietnam Veteran, Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and a Baker Street Irregular. His poetry reflects on service, justice, and the human condition — a powerful commentary on a life of meaning and impact. - November 12, 2025 Visiting Author: Ilana Masad “Beings: A Novel”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Join Max Perry Mueller in conversation with Gabriel Bruguier of the Yankton Sioux Tribe about Mueller’s new book Wakara’s America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West. The book discusses the forgotten life and complex legacies of Wakara, the mighty, once-notorious Native leader whose battles and conquests shaped the American West. - November 13, 2025 Visiting Author: Max Perry Mueller in conversation with Gabriel Bruguier “Wakara’s America”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
From the celebrated author of All My Mother’s Lovers, comes a new novel based on true events asks whether extraterrestrial life might be what ties us to one another, to history, and to reality itself. Join author Ilana Masad as she presents her new novel Beings! - November 14, 2025 Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic with Tyler Michael Jacobs and Kiara Letcher
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 Tyler Michael Jacobs and Kiara Letcher will feature. If time remains, Open Mic will will follow until closing. - November 14, 2025 Literary Trivia Night
White Elm Brewing’s Tap Room, 720 Van Dorn St.
Lincoln, 5:30 pm
Join us for a pre-festival event for the Nebraska Celebration of Books. This event will feature Nebraska themed book, author, and literary trivia and $4 pints for triva participants. - ONovember 14, 2025 Author Event with Kailee Pedersen and “Sacrificial Animals”
Sower Books, 914 N 70th St.
Lincoln, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Join Nebraska Book Award Winner Kailee Pedersen at Sower Books to discuss her brand novel, Sacrificial Animals. - November 15, 2025 Nebraska Celebration of Books
UNL Union and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, 1400 R St.
Lincoln, 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
The Nebraska Celebration of Books (N.COB) aims to celebrate Nebraska’s literary heritage and contemporary authors, the festival will honor the 2025 Nebraska Book Award authors, and will feature the State Poet Jewel Rodgers and past State Poet Matt Mason, 2025 One Book One Nebraska author Tosca Lee, writing workshops, book vendors, publishers, independent authors, presentation of the Nebraska Center for the Book’s Nebraska Book Awards, Mildred Bennett Award and Jane Geske Award, and announcement of the 2026 One Book One Nebraska selection. - November 15, 2025 Poetry Writing Workshop: To Verse or Not to Verse?
Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Omaha, 10:00 – 11:30 am
When do you know whether to keep a freeform poem all together or to break it up into verses or stanzas? When to add shape, or a tab or two? Explore final touches of freeform poetry with Julie S. Paschold in this poetry writing workshop. Bring a poem you are currently working on, or choose to write from one of our prompts. Pre-registration is required. Cost: $20 | Garden members: $15. - November 17, 2025 Poetry Writing Workshop: The Ekphrastic Poem?
Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Omaha, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Beat the winter blues with Julie S. Paschold, by diving into ekphrastic poetry, a form of poetry where the topic is based off of a work of art. Have your favorite piece in mind, or find inspiration from one of the artworks we bring and get ready to write! Pre-registration is required. Cost: $20 | Garden members: $15. - Novemberv 17, 2025 Tosca Lee at Seward Memorial Library
Seward Memorial Library, 233 S 5th St.
Seward, 6:30 pm
Join Tosca Lee at the library for a discussion of the research and writing of The Long March Home, 2025’s One Book One Nebraska! Books will be available for sale from Chapters Books & Gifts. - November 19, 2025 UNO Writer’s Workshop Fall 2025 Reading Series with Nebraska Film Initiative
Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St.
Omaha, 7:30 pm
Short films by MJ Atyai and Sam Dubas, produced by the Nebraska Film Initiative with support by BeWildReWild.org. MJ, also known as Kamari, is a screenwriter currently residing in Omaha. They graduated from UNO with a degree in Journalism, Creative Media concentration, and minored in screenwriting and Black Studies. They have worked on two film sets and are excited to continue working in the film industry and explore different roles. Outside of screenwriting, they are a photographer and dungeon master for a wonderful D&D party. Born and raised in Bellevue, Sam is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree at UNO. He has recently begun pursuing writing as a more defined role for his career, and is actively working toward a minor in screenwriting. - November 20, 2025 Vocal Fry
UNO’s Criss Library, 6401 S University Dr Rd N.
Omaha, 7:00 – 9:00 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. Hosted in the intimate and immersive setting where every performance feels personal. Whether you’re a longtime lover of spoken word or a curious newcomer, this event guarantees an unforgettable night of connection and creativity. Tonight Featuring Nathan B. Wise, with Sam Nichols and Allen Stevenson as MCs. - November 22, 2025 Visiting Author: John T. Price “Goethe’s Oak: A Holocaust Story”
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S. 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Join as author John T. Price reads from his newest work of non-fiction, Goethe’s Oak: A Holocaust Story. Writing from the perspective of the legendary Goethe’s Oak, John T. Price reimagines and honors the life of an extraordinary tree. Drawing on centuries of human remembrances, from the tree’s namesake, writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, to prisoners at Buchenwald in the 1940s, Price intertwines their stories with recent scientific research into the underground communication networks of trees. - November 23, 2025 Larksong’s 5th Birthday Celebration
Larksong Writers Place, 1600 N Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Larksong Writers Place is turning five years old, and we want to celebrate with the community that made it all possible! Join us for an afternoon of bubbly, sweet treats, and great conversation as we raise a glass to five wonderful years of writing, creativity, and connection. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re just discovering Larksong, we’d love to see you. - November 27, 2025 NEWISH Poetry Slam
North Omaha Music and Arts – NOMA, 2510 N 24th St.
Omaha, 7:00 – 10:00 pm
NEWISH is presented by the Nebraska Writers Collective and hosted by Zedeka Poindexter at NOMA. We invite you to take risks, say what hasn’t been said. This is a curated space & environment for you to express yourself and grow amongst your community. Enjoy the poetry slam with live music! Registration is $10, and the grand prize is $100.
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.