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
AUGUST DEADLINES
SEPTEMBER DEADLINES
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 is active. 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.
  • Third Saturdays join The Poetry Club, 3:00 pm at Coffee Central, 5627 Getwell Rd. Southaven, MS 38672. Share up to 3 minutes of original poetry or short prose. Good listeners also welcome. Young children are also invited to read original works or a favorite poem. We do not censor any social, political, religious, or philosophical viewpoint. However, please no graphic content and profanity in consideration of Coffee Central’s public space: 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
  • The Red Branch Review holds a monthly open mic on the first Friday of each month, 8:00 p.m. at Pretentious Beer, following their First Friday reading series at Union Avenue Books held from 6:00-7:30 p.m..
  • 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.
  • Saturday, August 15, 9 am-4 pm, The East Tennessee History Fair, at and around the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S Gay St, Knoxville. Knox County writers featured in Declaration: I Am Tennessee will read/perform: Black Atticus, Henry Wilson, Jack Rentfro, Kevin Keck, Kristen Combs, and Margy Ragsdale. This is a project of Knoxville Poet Laureate Linda Parsons. https://www.easttnhistory.org/event/east-tennessee-history-fair/
  • Monday, August 17, 9-10 a.m.: In this first part of a Nature Writing Workshop presented by John C. Mannone, attendees will record photographs and notes while on a nature hike and learn how to use free tools to identify flora. Nature Writing Workshop: Part 1—Nature Hike: Hike at the UT Arboretum on Highway 62 southeast of Oak Ridge (guided by ranger)
  • Tuesday, August 18 (10-noon): In this second part of a Nature Writing Workshop presented by John C. Mannone, attendees will see examples of how to transform those nature photographs to a piece of creative writing. There will be an opportunity to write and share. Nature Writing Workshop: Part 2—Craft Lecture: Senior Center, Oak Ridge, TN
  • Tuesday, August 18, 5-9 pm, At the annual Febb Burn Banquet, sponsored by the Suffrage Coalition, Linda Parsons will perform an original poem in the voice of Febb Burn. Febb’s son Harry cast the tie-breaking vote in the Tennessee legislature that passed the vote for women’s suffrage in the United States in 1920. Bridgewater Event Center, 205 Bridgewater Road, Knoxville. https://womenssuffragemuseum.org/event/febb-burn-banquet-2026/
  • Wednesday, August 19, 12-1 : A Friends of the Library lecture, presented by John C. Mannone, In Celebration Our Nation’s 250th Birthday: How Our Shared History Can Inspire Fresh Ideas for Creative Writing. Find inspiration for your creative writing by exploring how historical moments, such as the dawning of the American Revolution, can ignite a sense of purpose, power, and beauty in your in poetry and prose. Craft Lecture: Oak Ridge Library Auditorium
  • Wednesday, August 26: PST Knox meets 4th Wednesday evenings, covering various topics. For details, contact Sharon at sharon.knoxville.tn@gmail.com
  • Sunday, August 30,, 2-4 p.m on Zoom: The Sundress Academy for the Arts presents Poetry Xfit . 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.
  • Saturday, August 29, 12:00 noon (after the band): John C. Mannone will host a probative and interactive poetry reading at the Reef Coffee House, Farragut, TN
  • 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
  • Monday, August 31, 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 or other event 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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One response to “Opportunities Abound: Summer 2026 Roundup”

  1. A couple more opportunities for the East region:

    Curated Poetry at the Bird and the Book in Maryville: July 24, 7:15 p.m. Several PST members will be reading their work.

    SECOND ANNUAL EKPHRASTIC POETRY PERFORMANCE, July 25 | 1:30 – 3PM
    UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY | 106 S. Gay St., Knoxville. An afternoon of poetry inspired by visual art. The performance will feature readings by Dr. Natalie Graham, Rhea Carmon, Corey Hodge, Arinze Akpa, Chiagoziem Jideofor, and original music recorded by Tula B. Strong, and Hannah Mayree.

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