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9 MAY 2023 — tuesday

  • City Lights Books presents poet, editor, and translator Gillian Conoley, A Little More Red Sun on the Human, winner of the 2020 Northern California Book Award, reading from her new collection, Notes from the Passenger, with poet and translator Norma Cole, Poetry Room at City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, as well as online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
  • Randall Mann, author of Complaint in the Garden and winner of the Kenyon Review Prize in Poetry, reading from and discussing his latest collection, Deal: New and Selected Poems, in conversation with D.A Powell, National Book Critics Circle Award, Green Apple Books, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-randall-mann-da-powell)

10 MAY 2023 — wednesday

11 MAY 2023 — thursday

  • Poetry Flash presents An Evening of Poetry with poet and translator Dan Bellm, celebrating Counting, a chapbook, and his translation of Balam Rodrigo's Central American Book of the Dead, reading with Ann Fisher-Wirth, celebrating her new collection, Paradise is Jagged, in person, Art House Gallery & Cultural Center, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, two blocks north of Ashby BART, refreshments, free, 7:00 pm PDT (poetryflash.org).
  • Green Apple Books presents poet Matthew Zapruder, author of The Pajamaist, winner of the William Carlos Williams Award, reading from and discussing his new memoir, Story of a Poem, in conversation with Bonnie Tsui, author of American Chinatown: A People's History of Five Neighborhoods and winner of the 2009-2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Green Apple Books, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-matthew-zapruder-bonnie-tsui)
  • City Lights Books presents short story writer Ada Zhang, celebrating her debut collection, The Sorrows of Others, in conversation with novelist Belinda Huijuan Tang, A Map for the Missing, longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, co-presented with A Public Space, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)

12 MAY 2023 — friday

  • Beyond Baroque presents poet Francesca Bell, Bright Stain, finalist for the Washington State Book Award, celebrating the launch of her latest collection, What Small Sound, joined in a reading by poets Rebecca Foust, Only, Douglas Manuel, Testify, winner of an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and Suzanne O'Connell, A Prayer for Torn Stockings, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, doors open 7:30 pm, reading begins 8:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
  • Skylight Books presents novelist and short story writer Andrew Porter, The Theory of Light and Matter, reading from and discussing his new collection, The Disappeared, in conversation with short fiction authors Holiday Reinhorn and Jonathan Blum, The Usual Uncertainties, Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 3:15 pm PDT (More information here: www.skylightbooks.com/event/skylight-andrew-porter-presents-disappeared-w-holiday-reinhorn-jonathan-blum)
  • Village Well presents an open mic reading, open mic performances must be family-friendly, part of a monthly reading series every second Friday of the month, Village Well Books and Coffee, 9900 Culver Blvd, Culver City, free, 7:00 pm PDT

13 MAY 2023 — saturday

  • City Lights Books presents novelist Gina Apostol, Gun Dealers' Daughter, winner of the 2013 PEN/Open Book Award, discussing her new book, La Tercera, in conversation with poet and novelist Zack R. Zamora Linmark, The Evolution of a Sigh, part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, online via Zoom, free, 11:00 am PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)
  • Point Reyes Books presents best-selling author Hernan Diaz, In the Distance, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award, reading from and discussing his new novel, Trust, winner of the 2022 Kirkus Prize and longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, Dance Palace Church Space, Point Reyes Station, free, 4:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/hernan-diaz-person)
  • Enjoy a reading of Homer's The Iliad, translated by Caroline Alexander, the first English translation by a woman, follow along with the words on a large screen, and even read aloud a pre-assigned passage on the Grace Cathedral podium, The International Readers of Homer 25th anniversary event, $55 for the entire day, $35 for students, Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, 10:00 am-10:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.internationalreadersofhomer.org)
  • Las Positas College Literary Arts Festival presents a day of poetry and literary arts at the featuring keynote speaker Tommy Orange, There There, winner of the American Book Award; the 20th Annual LPC Poetry Slam and workshop with Bri Blue and Natriece (Tri) Spicer; best-selling author Bruce Henderson, Bridge to the Sun: The Secret Role of the Japanese Americans Who Fought in the Pacific in World War II; "The Poetry of Place," a conversation between California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick and Livermore Poet Laureate Peggy Schimmelmann; "Drag Queen Storytime" with Ava LaShay and Avery Night; novelist Randy Ribay, Patron Saints of Nothing, National Book Award-finalist; "Memoir Master Class" with Tamim Ansary, Northern California Book Award-winner; "Native Nations Poetry Panel," with former San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck and poet Jennifer Elise Foerster; "Talking to Paintings: The Art of Poetry and Poetry of Art," with Dean Rader, Before the Borderless: Dialogues with the Art of Cy Twombly; "Feminist Writing Workshop" with poet Judith Serin, Gravity; Nancy Davis Kho and Tomás Moniz speak about tips and tricks for getting your work published; Catherine Ceniza Choy on Asian Americans in the U.S. scholarly writing, and publishing; and Awards Ceremony for Havik: The Las Positas College Journal of Arts and Literature, celebrating the release of its 2023 edition with live readings by contributors, Mertes Center for the Arts, Building 4000, Las Positas College, Livermore, free (Register to attend: www.laspositascollege.edu/literary-festival)
  • Lone Glen Reading and Performance Series presents a celebration of new Apogee Press releases by poets Barbara Tomash, Her Scant State, Laura Walker, psalmbook, Miah Jeffra, Violence Almanac, and Shelly Wong As She Appears; they will read from and discuss their work, private residence, 1409 Derby Street, Berkeley, registration is free and required for attendance, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: loneglen.com/events-past-and-future)
  • Book Passage presents "Why Write, What to Write, and How to Write," a workshop led by best-selling author Anne Lamott, Hallelujah Anyway, Hard Laughter, this workshop explores how to begin writing, why we write, and finding the sources of inspiration inside of us, online, $75, 1:00-4:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.bookpassage.com/lamottclass2023)

14 MAY 2023 — sunday

15 MAY 2023 — monday

16 MAY 2023 — tuesday

  • Green Apple Books presents Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Friday Black, reading from and discussing his highly-anticipated debut novel, Chain Gang All-Stars, in conversation with novelist Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize-finalist, off site event includes an audience Q+A, The Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, $35 tickets include a copy of the book, 8:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/offsite-nana-kwame-adjei-brenyah-tommy-orange)
  • Cobalt Poets presents a reading with featured poet and editor Fred Dodsworth, who is involved in the local Berkeley poetry scene through his work with Poetry Flash and the literary journal Milvia Street, followed by an open mic, free, online via Zoom, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
  • City Lights Books presents poet and critic Fred Moten, The Feel Trio, finalist for the National Book Award, celebrating his latest book, perennial fashion presence falling, in conversation with poet Garrett Caples, editor at City Lights Books, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)

17 MAY 2023 — wednesday

  • San Francisco Public Library presents a reading and conversation on modern Filipino/a/x poetry, featuring Christian Aldana, celebrating their debut collection, The Water We Swim In, joined by poets Dawn Angelicca Barcelona and antmen pimentel mendoza, My Boyfriend Apocalypse, co-sponsored by Sampaguita Press, Excelsior Branch Library, 4400 Mission Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm PDT (More information here: sfpl.org/events/2023/05/17/performance-filipinoax-poets)
  • Beyond Baroque presents "When Fire. Myth. Echo," a reading celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month, featuring interdisciplinary writer and artist Angela Peñaredondo, nature felt but never apprehended; poet and scholar Janice Lee, Separation Anxiety, finalist for the 2023 Oregon Book Award; poet Kay Ulanday Barrett, More Than Organs, recipient of a 2021 Stonewall Honor Book Award; poet No'u Revilla, Ask the Unbridled, winner of the 2021 National Poetry Series; and poet Simon Shieh, Master, winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize, online, 6:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
  • City Lights Books presents Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and novelist Héctor Tobar, Deep Down Dark, discussing his new book, Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myth of "Latino," in conversation with John McMurtrie, senior editor at ZYZZYVA, City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: citylights.com/events)

18 MAY 2023 — thursday

19 MAY 2023 — friday

  • Mill Valley Library and Marin Poetry Center present a celebration of "Poets for Science" with a reading by Pulitzer-prize winner Forrest Gander joined by Jane Hirshfield, Kimiko Hahn, and Meryl Natchez; Poets for Science started on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, when demonstrators around the world participated in a March for Science in a call to support and safeguard the scientific community, fact-based decision making, basic research, and freedom of speech for scientists; Jane Hirshfield joined poets and scientists in a March for Science on the National Mall in Washington D.C., Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, 7:00 pm PDT. (Advance registration required for this in-person event: millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/9962598)
  • The Beat Museum presents an evening of poetry featuring poet Kurt Schweigman, reading from his new collection, Confluences of Solitude, joined by San Francisco Poet Laureate emerita Kim Shuck, Exile Heart, The Beat Museum, 540 Broadway Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.kerouac.com/beat_event/confluences-of-solitude-kurt-schweigman-kim-shuck)

20 MAY 2023 — saturday

  • The Beast Crawl of Fame All Star Jam presents Oakland Poet Laureate Dr. Ayodele Nzinga and San Francisco Poet Laureate Emerita Kim Shuck, Natasha Dennerstein, Reggie Edmonds, Nazelah Jameson, M.K. Chavez, Kimi Sugioka, Joel Landmine, Intersection for the Arts, 1446 Market Street, San Francisco, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, proceeds will go to support the Beast Crawl Lit Festival, 6:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/beast-crawl-of-fame-all-stars-tickets-616795280287?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1&mc_cid=46aa7a49d5&mc_eid=79a8cbbc3f)
  • Beyond Baroque presents a four-hour marathon reading for the "Beat Not Beat Anthology Tour," hosted by Alexis Rhone Fancher, Rich Ferguson, Eric Morago, and S.A. Griffin, celebrating the publication of Beat Not Beat: An Anthology of California Poets Screwing on the Beat and Post-Beat Tradition, published by Moon Tide Press, the reading will feature numerous contributors and editors, including Iris Berry, Elisabeth Adwin Edwards, Kevin Ridgeway, Don Kingfisher Campbell, Susan Hayden, Bill Mohr, Jerome Dunn, Luke Johnson, Kim Dower, Brendan Constantine, Richard Modiano, Nelson Gary, Michael C. Ford, K.R. Morrison, Pam Ward, Conney Williams, Steve Abee, Cassandra Dallett, Harry Northup, Nicelle Davis, Milo Martin, David Ulin, Sarah Maclay, Kathryn de Lancellotti, A.K. Toney, Henry Mortensen, King Daddy, A. Razor, Matt Sedillo, Luivette Resto, Majid Naficy, Bucky Sinister, Pegarty Long, Bob Branaman, and Daniel Yaryan, for sale and signing after the show, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 2:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)
  • Point Reyes Books presents Eirinie Carson, program coordinator for Mesa Refuge, a writers' retreat located in Point Reyes, Carson will be discussing her new memoir, The Dead Are Gods, in conversation with Mesa Refuge alum and board member Susan Ito, Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station, free, donations welcome, 1:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.ptreyesbooks.com/event/eirinie-carson)
  • The Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents a reading with poet Lois P. Jones, winner of the 2023 Alpine Fellowship and author of Night Ladder, finalist for the Julie Suk Award, and poet and translator William O'Daly, The New Gods, followed by an open mic, hosted by poet Tim Kahl, Sacramento Poetry Alliance, 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento, free, 4:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/sacramentopoetryalliance/)
  • 3rd Saturday Poetry features a reading by Gail Mitchell, Bone Songs, and Dave Holt, plus open mic, Clarion Performing Arts Center, 2 Waverly Place, Chinatown neighborhood, San Francisco, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm PDT (www.theclarionsf.org)
  • Poets in Conversation presents a reading with Greg Santos, Ghost Face, and Bunkong Tuon, Dead Tongue, online via Zoom, free, 7:00 pm PDT (Email: poetry@phyllispoetry.com to RSVP and get the Zoom link)
  • Beyond Baroque presents "Listening to Images," a workshop led by poet and multimedia artist Diana Khoi Nguyen, Ghost of, finalist for the National Book Award, participants explore how writers use the intersection of text and image, inspired by scholar Tina Campt's Listening to Images, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, $65 for members, $75 general admission, 11:00 am-2:00 pm PDT (Purchase tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/listening-to-images-a-workshop-with-diana-khoi-nguyen-tickets-617302176427?aff=ebdsoporgprofile)

21 MAY 2023 — sunday

  • Second Sunday Readings presents poets Elizabeth M. Castillo, Cajoncito: Poems on Love, Loss, y Otras Locuras, Donna Spruijt-Metz, General Release from the Beginning of the World, and Farnaz Fatemi, Sister Tongue, hosted by curator Siân Killingsworth, online via Zoom, registration is free and required for attendance, 3:00 pm PDT (More information here: secondsundayreadings.com)
  • Bird & Beckett Books and Records presents a reading with poets Rebecca Faulkner, Permit Me to Write My Own Ending, Francesca Bell, What Small Sound, and Dion O'Reilly, Ghost Dogs, shortlisted for The Eric Hoffer Award, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: birdbeckett.com)
  • Poetry of the Sierra Foothills presents a reading by poet Lois P. Jones, winner of the 2023 Alpine Fellowship and author of Night Ladder, finalist for the Julie Suk Award, and poet and translator William O'Daly, The New Gods, followed by an open mic, hosted by Lara Gularte, El Dorado County Poet Laureate, Chateau Davell Winery, 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, Camino, free, 2:00 pm PDT
  • Weavers Press presents poet Sophia Naz, Open Zero, celebrating the launch of her new collection, Bark Archipelago, a Q&A will follow the reading, luggage store gallery, 1007 Market Street, San Francisco, free, donations welcome, 3:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.luggagestoregallerysf.org/2023/04/book-launch-and-poetry-reading-by-sophia-naz)

22 MAY 2023 — monday

  • The Mechanics' Institute presents psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Stevan M. Weine, When History Is a Nightmare: Lives and Memories of Ethnic Cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina, discussing his new book, Best Minds: How Allen Ginsberg Made Revolutionary Poetry From Madness, a pivotal look at how the late great poet Allen Ginsberg transformed experiences of mental illness into powerful poetry, Mechanics' Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco, free for members, public sliding scale $5-$10, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.milibrary.org/events/best-minds-how-allen-ginsberg-made-revolutionary-poetry-madness-may-22-2023)

23 MAY 2023 — tuesday

  • Green Apple Books presents writer and actress Anne Berest, co-author of the best-selling How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, reading from and discussing her novel, The Postcard, in conversation with Barbara Lane, former book columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Green Apple Books, 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.greenapplebooks.com/event/9th-ave-anne-berest-barbara-lane)
  • Cobalt Poets presents an all open reading, emceed by Jon Wesick, regional editor of the San Diego Poetry Annual, and author of A Foreigner Wherever I Go, among others, online via Zoom, free, 7:30 pm PDT (Register to attend: www.poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt/calendar.html)
  • City Lights Books presents Ruth Wilson Gilmore, cofounder of the California Prison Moratorium Project and author of Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California, celebrating the paperback edition of her new book, Abolition Geography: Essays Towards Liberation, in conversation with journalist and activist Dr. Clarence Lusane, 20 Dollars and Change, co-presented by Verso Books, online via Zoom, free, 6:00 pm PDT (Register to attend: citylights.com/events)

24 MAY 2023 — wednesday

  • Medicine for Nightmares celebrates the launch of the Spring 2023 issue of Forum magazine, with readings by poets, fiction, and nonfiction writers featured in the issue, including Emily Zimmerman, Hannah Star Rogers, Paulina Turcios, Finn Finneran, Miriam Soto, Lindakay Brown, Elise Cappadona, Mimi Mueller, Liberty Collier, Grace D'Anca, Carla Schick, Ekaterina Levina, Zareen Choudhury, Alana Rodrigues, Gretchen Telzrow, Miriam Soto, Gene Thompson, Jeff Kaliss, Stephanie Ortiz, Angela Alberto, Jeff Kaliss, Dee Allen, C.M. Crockford, Jason Szydlik, Elise Cappadona, Karem Rodriguez, Christopher Williams, Gloria Keeley, Jon Freeman, Hannah Star Rogers, Florina Petcu, Oliver Pu, Jon Freeman, Finnegan Murray, Nelson Maxwell, Talia Rubenstein, Megan Duffy Brown, Karem Rodriguez, Jeff Kaliss, Max Muhlberg, Kellie Henning, Christian Bogada Marsá, Florina Petcu, Len Legaspi, Veronica Voss-Macomber, Ben Finateri, William Lautner, Kata Piedra, Kate McDowall, Suzanne Notario, Nelson Maxwell, Karem Rodriguez, Ekaterina Levina, Vicki Gomez, Joel Alas, Ekaterina Levina, and Angelica Love de Villa, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore, 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm PDT (More information here: medicinefornightmares.com/events)

25 MAY 2023 — thursday

  • Writers Read Ukiah presents featured poet Connie Post, Floodwater, winner of the Lyrebird Award, Between Twilight, with open mic to follow, maximum six-minutes per reader, Grace Hudson Museum, 431 S. Main Street, Ukiah, free, 7:00 pm PDT
  • The Green Arcade presents authors and organizers Lydia Hughes and Jamie Woodcock, discussing their new book, Troublemaking: Why You Should Organize Your Workplace, about the benefits of organizing and how organizing at work can lead to a better world, in conversation with educator and labor trainer Gifford Hartman, The Green Arcade, 1680 Market Street, San Francisco, free, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: thegreenarcade.com)
  • City Lights Books presents novelist Max Porter, author of Lanny, longlisted for the Booker Prize, and Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, winner of the International Dylan Thomas Prize, discussing his new book, Shy, in conversation with novelist Susan Steinberg, Machine, Kerouac Alley, between Broadway and Grant Avenues, San Francisco, free, 6:00 pm PDT (More information here: citylights.com/events)
  • Beyond Baroque presents "Farewell, L.A.!," a poetry reading featuring Anna Journey, The Judas Ear, If Birds Gather Your Hair for Nesting, selected for the National Poetry Series, and David St. John, The Last Troubadour: New and Selected Poems, both poets will be moving from Los Angeles to Richmond, Virginia, so come to celebrate their years in L.A. with an evening of poetry and tacos, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 8:00 pm-10:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)

26 MAY 2023 — friday

  • Beyond Baroque presents "Grief Speak," a poetry reading on loss and healing, featuring Crystal AC Salas, Grief Logic, co-winner of the inaugural Alta California Prize, Cynthia Guardado, Cenizas, Diana Khoi Nguyen, Ghost Of, finalist for the National Book Award, and Nicholas Reiner, Levitations, co-winner of the inaugural Alta California Chapbook Prize, a brief Q&A will follow the reading, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice Beach, Los Angeles, free, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm PDT (RSVP to attend: www.beyondbaroque.org)

27 MAY 2023 — saturday

  • A memorial for Indigo (Joanne) Hotchkiss, a founder of the Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Sacred Grounds Café, 2095 Hayes Street, at Cole, San Francisco, Noon PDT (415/387-3859, or see the Haight Ashbury Literary Journal Facebook page for details)
  • Fourth Saturdays Reading Series presents poets Donna Spruijt-Metz, General Release from the Beginning of the World, and Carol V. Davis, Below Zero, Helen Renwick Library, Claremont, free, 2:00 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/fourthsaturdayspoetry)
  • Apogee Press presents poet Barbara Tomash, celebrating her new book, Her Scant State, joined in a reading by poets Gillian Conoley, Notes from the Passenger, Elizabeth Robinson, Also Known As, Cole Swensen, Art in Time, and Brian Teare, The Empty Form Goes All the Way to Heaven, free, online via Zoom, 11:00 am PDT (Zoom link here: www.facebook.com/apogeepress/)

28 MAY 2023 — sunday

29 MAY 2023 — monday

  • Come celebrate the book launch of When the Moon Had Antlers, the debut collection by Tresha Faye Haefner; she reads with poets Tracey Knapp, Mouth, and David Perez, former Santa Clara County Poet Laureate, Bazaar Café, 5927 California Street, San Francisco, free, 4:00-6:30 pm PDT (More information here: www.facebook.com/BazaarWritersSalon)

30 MAY 2023 — tuesday

31 MAY 2023 — wednesday

  • Bird & Beckett presents short story writer Angelo Presicci, reading from his book, Fighting the Bad War, a collection of vivid stories based on his experiences as a gay draftee in Vietnam, free, Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco, 7:00 pm PDT (More information here: birdbeckett.com/)

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