Every April, the nation celebrates the vital art of poetry. Join Writers & Books at any of our numerous events throughout the month to celebrate the writing & reading of poetry.
Sign up for any poetry class during the month of April and receive an additional 5% discount on the class. Contact the front office (585-473-2590 x107) to claim the discount.
Click here to see all of our upcoming Poetry workshops!
30/30 for National Poetry Month Challenge (Online Class)
Friday, April 1st
$35 Deal!
April is National Poetry Month. For the Month of April, sign up and receive a daily writing prompt via email. Post your results in the forum and read the works of others. Individuals who successfully complete all 30 Days get bragging rights and receive a certificate from Writers & Books. Come celebrate the end of the month at the 30/30 open mic during the Poetry, Pinot, & Potluck celebration on Saturday, April 30!
First Friday
Friday, April 1st
6:00 – 10:00 PM
Free
National Poetry Month Kick off – Grab a poem to keep in your pocket, get started with writing prompts, and write a poem on a flower to be hung up at Writers & Books all month. Also that night we’ll have a reception with author Deborah Gregory from 5:30 – 7:30, followed by Wide Open Mic hosted by Norm Davis starting at 7:30 PM
Earth Daughter’s Readings
Friday, April 8th
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Member’s Price: $ 3
General Public Price: $ 6
Kastle Brill, Jennifer Campbell, Joyce Kessel, Janna Willoughby-Lohr, and Ryki Zuckerman are travelling to Rochester Friday April 8 in celebration of the 45th continuous year of publishing Earth’s Daughters. These poets are members of the editorial collective for the feminist literary and arts periodical, the oldest extant continuously published feminist literary arts periodical in the US.
Reading: Bill Zavatsky with special guest 
Friday, April 15th
7:00 PM
Member’s Price: $ 3
General Public Price: $ 6
$3 for Eastman School of Music students (Call W&B for more information)
Bill Zavatsky, a former Editor-in-Chief of The SUN, will be in Rochester to give a special reading accompanied by talented musicians from the Eastman School of Music. This will be a special evening full of poetry and music.
Breathing Fire: Grand Slam
Friday, April 29th
6:30 PM
$1 Students & members / $5 General Public
Location: Rochester Academy of Medicine
This is it! After months of slams at Press Coffee House, the Grand Slam is here. Listen to some Rochester’s most exciting young voices. Participate in the judging! Be a part of this new movement in the community!
Poetry, Potluck, & Pinot
Saturday, April 30th
2:00 – 7:00 PM
Free, but bring a bottle of wine or a dish to pass!
Join us for readings by poets and members of the Writers & Books community. Each hour of this poetic celebration will include five poets who will read original poems, in addition to work by other poets. The afternoon and evening will celebrate our literary community with a sharing of poetry, food, and drink (Pinot, both Noir and Grigio). Free, but bring a dish to pass and/or a bottle of pinot!
The line up:
2PM
1. George Steele
2. David Michael Nixon
3. Harlow Crandall
4. Norm Davis
3PM
1. Wanda Schubmehl
2. Toren Reaves
3. Paulette Swartzfager
4. Sarah Freligh
Break
4PM
1. Lytton Smith
2. Allison Brown
3. Ralph Black
4. Megan Backer
Break
5PM
1. Roc Bottom Slam Team
6PM
Open Mic
Poem in Your Pocket Day
Saturday, April 30th
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
On “Poem In Your Pocket Day, people throughout the United States select a poem, carry it with them, and share it with others in their neighborhood and community. Stop by Writers & Books during our business hours that day (9:00 AM – 7:00 PM) and pick one up!