The National Poetry Month Reading Series features published poets whose books have been released within the last year.

Quarterly author readings, signings, book sales, and conversation at Lake Lit, every three months on the fourth Thursday of the month. For 2026, Lake Lit will present authors on January 22, April 23, July 23, and October 22, with Lake Lit Out Loud, a poetry and prose open mic, to follow the featured readers.

Lake Lit Out Loud Guidelines:

Open mic will begin after the featured author is done reading, selling books, and signing books. Lake Lit Out Loud will be limited to 15 readers.

Please keep your total reading to 5 minutes or less, and please plan on presenting 3 or fewer pieces, all at the same time, within the 5-minute time limit. The sign-up sheet at the beginning of the event will reflect the order in which we read.

Please plan on standing or sitting at your chosen spot in the room to read your piece(s) aloud. Feel free to introduce yourself and give an overview of your writing background. Then, you may read your piece(s), the group will clap or snap in appreciation, and the next reader will go.

Please preface your piece with any content warnings regarding violence, sexual assault, excessive drug or alcohol use, or other potentially triggering content. No hate speech of any kind will be tolerated.