December Lit News: Events, Yays, and Opportunities!

Okay, yes, I’m going to start with the obligatory “I can’t believe it’s already December!” thought. But seriously—this year (like many as of late) has felt both horribly long and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it short. I can’t decide which is worse …. But as we wrap up 2024, at least there are some great bookish things to check out!


Events

Sunday, December 1st, 10 AM-6 PM, at The Spine (304 S. Lowry St., Suite A3, Smyrna): Banned Book Read-In

Lindsay Schultz at The Spine is passionate about decrying book banning, so if you’d like to participate in a “peaceful, civic-minded demonstration aiming to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom and the right to access information,” then come bring a banned book and join in! More information here.

Thursday, December 5th, 7 PM, at the Walnut House (116 N Walnut St., Murfreesboro): “Winter Chill, Wonder, and Awe” by the Bloom Stage

It’s this quarter’s Bloom Stage show!! If you consider yourself a creative and you still haven’t been to a Bloom Stage show, you’re missing out. Come for a night of music by the Miles Damaso Trio, live art by Nadine Shillingford, storytelling by Kara Kemp and Jacqui Swift, and featured readings of poetry, fiction, and more by the likes of Holly Allen, Sally Amkoa, Cameron Mitchell, Jazzmin Mitchell, Kory Wells, and even a particular person you may be reading right now …! There’s a $10 suggested donation at the door but also complimentary snacks and drinks. It will fill your little creative heart—I promise!

Saturday, December 7th, 12 PM-3 PM, at The Spine: Book Release Party with Loyd Elmore Jr.

Loyd Elmore Jr. will be selling and signing copies of his books, including his most recent release, Little Ronin. Come celebrate! Click the image for more information.

Sunday, December 8th, 9 AM-9 PM, at Barnes & Noble in the Avenue (2615 Medical Center Pkwy, Murfreesboro): Friends of Linebaugh Library Annual Bookfair Fundraiser

If you’re looking for some bookish things to buy for someone on your list, consider shopping at Barnes and Noble on this day because a percentage of eligible purchases will go to FOLL! If you have to feed the corporate beasts, at least do it in a way that supports the little guys, right?

Thursday, December 12th, 10 AM-1 PM at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro): Book Signing with Carol Ghattas

Carol Ghattas will be selling and signing copies of her books, including her newest releases, The Life I Now Live (Xulon Press, September 2024) and When Serving Gets Tough (William Carey Publishing, October 2024). Click the picture for more information!

Thursday, December 19th, 5:30 PM-7 PM, at Dapper Owl (2412 E. Main St, Murfreesboro): Silent Book Club Christmas Party and Dirty Santa Book Exchange

In addition to SBC’s regular read-ins (on December 3rd and 10th), this is the annual Christmas party, where you can mingle with other book lovers and get books! How fun is that?! Click the image for more information.

Saturday, December 21st, 4 PM-5 PM, at The Spine: Local Author Book Club with Amy Anguish

Amy Anguish will be discussing her book, Mamma Dated Santa, and answering questions about inspiration, her creative process, and anything else guests would like to know! Click the image for more information.

Sunday, December 22nd, 6 PM, at Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro Annual Solstice Poetry Reading with Jacqui Swift

It has become a tradition for Poetry in the Boro to light up the longest night of the year with poetry! This year, the featured poet is Jacqui Swift, to be followed by a time of open mic, when we will hear from some of the most talented poets in the area—maybe including you! Come get some complimentary coffee, settle by the fire, and enjoy a night of poetry, poetry, poetry! Click the image for more information.


Opportunities

Murfreesboro 2025-2026 Poet Laureate Program

Are you a professional poet living or working in Murfreesboro with a well-established body of work that maybe even highlights Murfreesboro life? Will you be around from February 2025 to February 2026? Are you over 18? If the answer is yes, yes, and yes, then head over to Submittable and fill out an application before January 31 to be a poet laureate! Past Murfreesboro poet laureates have been Kory Wells, Amie Whittemore, and Mike James. Will you be the next one?? The worst that could happen is that they’ll say no!

MTSU’s Writing Center Arts Magazine, Off Center, is open for submissions!

Off Center is taking submissions from the MTSU community (students, faculty, staff, and alumni) for their next issue. For writing, they’re looking for essays, personal writing, creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. The deadline is January 20, 2025, so you’ve got a little more than a month to get something ready! More information here.


Celebrations

Our very own Charles Thomas has released his first collection of poetry, Love Too Much from Books Fluent! Charles explains, “The book has three sections - as if three chapbooks - which consider love in the contexts of community, personal, and family/nature. Interspersed are what I would call abstract poems. And each section begins with a different piece of visual art by Jessica Eichman.” If you have a poetry lover you’re shopping for this holiday season, consider buying a copy!


And that’s a wrap on 2024! Don’t forget to check out your local library and bookstore for any book clubs, writing groups, special events, etc.—there’s SO much happening in RuCo!! And if you have any events or news you’d like to share for an upcoming blog, please let me know! Goodbye 2024, hello 2025!

Image courtesy of @kellysikkema