It’s Spring! This is my second-favorite season, and it’s this particular time, the early spring, that I love the most, when new hope is literally sprouting from the ground. Daffodils, crocuses, redbuds, hollyhocks, and even those Bradford pears make me so excited! But more than anything, I’m especially excited about the purple finches who have returned to the nest on my porch they made last year. But besides all that nature is throwing at us, April is also National Poetry Month! And, man, if you’re interested in poetry, have we got some cool stuff happening this month!
Events
Saturday, April 5th, 9 AM, Smyrna Library (400 Enon Springs Rd W): Run to Read Fun Run
To kick off National Library week, the Smyrna Library is hosting their fun run for literacy! There will be prizes for most laps for kids and adults, and it’s free to register! Register at foslr2r.com and click the image for more information.
Sunday, April 6th, 12-5 PM, at Crying Cat Books and Records (504 N Maney Rd.): Crying Cat’s Fourth Birthday Party!
Something a little different here, but this looks too fun not to share! Crying Cat is turning 4 and having a little shindig to celebrate! Go stop by to check out some local musicians and vendors and check out the bookstore’s great selection!
Monday, April 7th, 1:30-2:30 PM at Linebaugh Library (105 W Vine St.): Terri Lee Book Signing
We always love celebrating our local authors! Terri Lee will be at the library selling and signing copies of her children’s book, The Adventures of Modern Megan.
Thursday, April 10th, 4:30 PM at MTSU Sam Ingram Building (2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd.): In Process Spring Fete Day 1
Come hear from author Rob Davidson to celebrate spring with writers at MTSU! He’ll be reading some of his writing and also talking about his process and craft. Free and open to the public!
Friday, April 11th, 12-4 PM, at MTSU Sam Ingram Building: In Process Spring Fete Day 2
To continue the spring celebration, the In Process crew will be hosting a staged reading of three student-written plays by Ryn, Jessica Pruit, and Stephanie Hall. Come support student playwrights and get some inspiration!
Sunday, April 13th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl Coffee Pub (2412 E Main St.): Writer’s Mingle
For RAA/Poetry in the Boro/MTSU Write’s third monthly writers’ mingle, the amazing Aaron Shapiro will be hosting! Connect with other writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experience levels in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Learn more and RSVP here!
Friday, April 25th, 6:30 PM, at MTSU Foundation House (324 W Thompson Ln.): Poetry in the Boro and Poetry Society of Tennessee Poetry Festival Kickoff
April is National Poetry Month, and we are SO excited that the Poetry Society of Tennessee has decided to team up with Poetry in the Boro and MTSU Write to hose the 68th Annual Poetry Festival here in Murfreesboro! We’re kicking it off Friday night PitB style, with Christian J. Collier being the featured poet, followed by an open mic to follow. Come listen to some amazing local poets—and maybe share some of your own work too! More info here.
Saturday, April 26th, 8:30 AM-5 PM, at MTSU Academic Classroom Building and Zoom: Poetry Society of Tennessee 68th Annual Poetry Festival
The festival keeps going all day Saturday, featuring Christian J. Collier as the keynote speaker but also sessions with Claudia Stanek, Donovan Mcabee, and John Mannone; and a roundtable discussion with our own Bryanna Licciardi, Kory Wells, James Croal Jackson, and Cynthia Storrs. Learn more and register here!
Groups
I wanted to take a minute to highlight some various writing groups that meet around the county regularly. You may have noticed that at the end of these blogs, I always remind you to check with your local bookstores and libraries about their events because doggone if there ain’t a lot of regularly-scheduled events out there! So if you’re looking for a writing group to join, check these out!
Poetry Workshop - second Saturday every month, 4-5 PM, at The Spine Bookshop in Smyrna
Teen Creative Writing Club - first Tuesday 4-5:30 PM and third Tuesday 4:30-6 PM, at Linebaugh Library
Raiders Write - Mondays, 6-8 PM, at MTSU Student Union Building Room 210
Murfreesboro Writers Group - Wednesdays, 6 PM, at Linebaugh Library in Murfreesboro
Written Word - third Thursday every month, 6:30-7:30 PM at the Smyrna Library
And that’s April! Enjoy the flowers, the birds, the poetry, and all the literary things. Remember: check bookstores and libraries in your area for special events, and if you have any future events you’d like me to let others know about, be sure to email me at taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. Thanks, and we’ll see you next month! :)
Image courtesy of @elin_mel
