Poetry Society of Tennessee

EST. 1953

Opportunities Abound: Summer 2026 Roundup

Back by popular demand, we’re retooling our roundup. This roundup will be updated periodically through the end of summer. In it you will find various opportunities brought to our attention by organizations, members, and friends or discovered organically. Grow your skills, find submission opportunities, and more!

Workshops

  • Poetry Society of Tennessee’s virtual monthly workshops are open to members. An email with link is sent out in advance. Recent presenters include Shan Overton and Jeffrey Heath. Check out some of our past presenters.
  • The Bert C. Bach Written Word Initiative offers programs related to literature and creative writing at ETSU
  • Shuly Cawood virtual generative and craft-focused writing workshops
  • John Davis Jr. “Metacreativity: The Process Behind the Poetry” mail-based tips and insights

Submission Opportunities

JUNE DEADLINES
July Deadlines

TBA

AUGUST DEADLINES

TBA

rolling deadlines / ALWAYS OPEN

Hate deadlines? Here are a few randomly selected literary venues that are always (or almost always) open to submissions:

Events & Opportunities

Take your poetry off the page at an open mic! You’ll find them across the state and in the virtual realm. Venues, dates and times are sometimes subject to change. Check with venue or organization in advance.

WEST
  • Java Cabana hosts an open mic every Thursday from 7:00-10:00 pm, featuring poetry and music. Java Cabana is located at 2170 Young Ave, Memphis.
  • The Hu Hotel Rooftop Monday open mic by Keeping it P may be coming out of hiatus. Stay tuned for updates. Follow them on instagram (@https://www.instagram.com/wekeepingitp/).
  • Every last Friday of the month, 7:00 pm, is Thee Last Friday at the Rumba Room, 303 S. Main, Memphis. Poetry/Music/Live Art. There is a cover charge at the door, but anyone can sign up for the open mic. Also try the Thursday open mic at 627 Chelsea Ave, Memphis but I haven’t been to that one.
  • PizzaMe hosts a weekly Monday open mic at 7:00 pm. 2857 Kirby Rd #117, Germantown.
  • Third Saturday of each month 3:00 pm at Coffee Central, 5627 Getwell Rd. Southaven, MS 38672: Bring original poetry or short prose (3 minutes) to share with other poets and poetry lovers. Good listeners are also welcome.To encourage young children, we would like to hear them read anything they write or just read their favorite poem. We do not censor any social, political, religious, or philosophical viewpoint. We do ask, when it comes to graphic content and profanity, remember that Coffee Central is one of our most gracious sponsors and we should not and will not offend other customers or negatively affect business.
MIDDLE

Poetry in the Boro is a monthly open mic and featured reading series hosted in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, currently held at the Dapper Owl Coffee Pub & Bakery and at many other locations when collaborating with other organizations in the community. Often meet the second or third Sunday evening of each month but dates can vary, especially when partnering with other organizations and groups. Get details.

MIDEAST

Sawmill Poetry is a poetry reading and open mic held at the ​The Plenty Bookstore in Cookeville, Tennessee. Get details.

SOUTHEAST
EAST
  • Third Thursdays at The Maker’s Space, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Knoxville, TN. Former Knoxville Poet Laureate Rhea Carmon hosts. Check with venue beforehand.
  • The Declaration: I Am Tennessee project launches July 16, 6:30-8:30 pm, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St, Knoxville. This project is funded by TN 250 and a partnership of Knoxville’s poet laureate, Linda Parsons, the Knoxville Writers Guild, and the East Tennessee Historical society. Thirty Knox County residents write how Tennessee has shaped them as part of the U.S. 250th anniversary celebration. In addition to the July 16 launch of the Declaration project, five of the authors will perform at the East Tennessee History Center’s East TN History Fair on August 15
  • Apply to participate! Book Fair at the King Family Library in Sevierville on October 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Details and a form you will need to complete in order to participate are in the link below. 
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqS5pZ65qNUtg1PYUD66xzGhjy6sSg7xmkv3YNxU9IE4QXWA/viewform?pli=1
  • Applications are open for the Appalachian WordFest, a one day celebration of “the voices, stories, and creativity that flow from our beloved Appalachian Mountains.” You can apply to be a presenter, sell your books ($50 booth fee), etc. To be held Saturday, February 27, 2027, 9-3,  at Event Center at The Ridge, 1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862.  https://seviervillechamberofcommerce.wufoo.com/forms/m1maxksr1qk02me/ 

NORTHEAST

VIRTUAL
  • Sunday, June 28,, 2-4 p.m on Zoom: The Sundress Academy for the Arts presents Poetry Xfit hosted by Shelby Hansen. This is a generative workshop event via Zoom.  Join at the link tiny.utk.edu/sundress with the password “safta”. While this event is free and open to the public, donations are appreciated.
  • Monday, June 29, 7 p.m.: POETRY PIE meets  via Zoom at 7 p.m. Poets of all levels welcome to read up to three poems. Contact Pat Hope at thetwohopes@aol.com for details and the monthly link.

Are we missing an open mic in Tennessee? Let us know!

On Demand

Find More Opportunities

So little time, so many ways to find homes for your work. Are we missing a good one? Let us know!

poetrysocietyoftennessee

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