Poetry This Fall: New Books, Open Mics, and a Festival

Written By Scott Krieger

Hello, poets and friends! Welcome to September’s Collective News. Our recent gatherings at Fountain Street Church have made room for new books, personal stories, and the shared work of poetry. This fall brings more chances to write together, step up to an open mic, and celebrate the poets in our community. Here’s a look back and a few dates to put on your calendar.

Recent gatherings at Fountain Street Church

On August 13, Shayna “Akanke” Marie facilitated My Story, My Truth, My Power: The Universe Within, a poetry workshop and open mic centered on the stories we carry.

Our September 10 Second Thursday book launch celebrated Lamont Arrington’s The My Heart Blues: Love and Blues Poems and GF Korreck’s The Pope’s Astronomer, with a community open mic and featured readings in the Chapel at Fountain Street Church. Thank you to Shayna, Lamont, and GF for sharing your work, to Fountain Street Church for welcoming the poetry community, and to everyone who read at the open mic or came to listen.

New in the bookstore

Our recent bookstore additions offer more ways to spend time with poets in our community. Follow each title to its order page:

Thank you to these writers, and to everyone who supports local poetry by buying and sharing their books.

Watch and listen

Revisit the September 10 readings at Fountain Street Church on our YouTube channel:

You can also listen to Christine Stephens-Krieger’s August 17 conversation with Shelley Irwin on WGVU about “Hello, Future,” our poetry time capsule for Grand Rapids. Thank you to Shelley and WGVU for helping share the invitation, and to Lamont and GF for bringing their poems to listeners near and far.

From The River

The September Feature

The September 10 edition of The Feature pairs the readings with six poems you can read in The River:

Poems from The Current

A few poems from June through August to read and share:

Thank you to Martin, Barbara, Neil, Gabby, Lamont, and GF for sharing your work with The River, and to everyone reading and passing these poems along.

“Hello, Future” submissions close October 1

What would you say to Grand Rapids in 2076? Poets whose work is connected to Grand Rapids are invited to submit one poem, no longer than one page, by October 1, 2026. Fifty selected poems will be sealed in a time capsule at the Grand Rapids Public Museum until 2076. Read the call and share your poem through The River.

Bring your poems to a critique group

Looking for conversation about your work? Our poetry critique groups offer regular opportunities to share poems and give and receive feedback. Thank you to Soliloquey and Dailynn Dietz for guiding these conversations, and to Schuler Books and the Grand Rapids Public Library for making room for poets.

  • Wednesday, September 16, 5:30–7:30 p.m. — Schuler Books, 2660 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, facilitated by Soliloquey. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. September meeting details.

  • Saturday, October 3, 3:00–5:00 p.m. — Grand Rapids Public Main Library, fourth floor, 111 Library Street NE, facilitated by Dailynn Dietz. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month, and poets of all levels are welcome. October meeting details.

October 8: Celebrate The Confluence

The Confluence: An Anthology of Grand Rapids Poets brings together 208 poems by 76 writers connected to the Grand Rapids poetry community. We’re excited to celebrate its publication with an evening of readings from the anthology. Thank you to all 76 contributing writers for entrusting us with your poems, and to everyone helping bring this anthology into readers’ hands.

Join us on Thursday, October 8, at The Chapel at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE, Grand Rapids. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the anthology open mic runs from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Come hear the work and meet the poets.

Preorder your copy for $15, with shipping when books arrive or free pickup at the October 8 launch. See the launch details, and explore The Confluence in The River.

October 15–17: Poetry Saves Lives Festival

Join us for three days of poetry and community at 106 Gallery, 106 Division South, Grand Rapids. All festival events are free and open to the public.

  • Thursday, October 15: Crock Pot-Luck Poetry begins with a potluck from 5:00–6:30 p.m. Bring a dish to pass, then stay for an open mic hosted by Carolyn Ferrari from 6:30–9:00 p.m.

  • Friday, October 16: An ekphrastic poetry workshop and open mic with Hannah Notess runs from 3:00–5:00 p.m., followed by an open mic and discussion, “How Has Poetry Saved Your Life?”, with Neil Kaufman from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

  • Saturday, October 17: Meg Johnson and Shayna “Akanke” Marie lead a youth/all-ages poetry workshop and open mic from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. A panel on poetry and mental health follows from 1:30–3:30 p.m., and Dr. Kimmy Copeland of Tanztheater Michigan leads a dance workshop from 4:00–5:30 p.m. The Grand Finale Celebration runs from 6:00–8:00 p.m., hosted by Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Christine Stephens-Krieger, with community dance and an open mic with jazz ensemble Art Sauce.

Explore the full festival schedule and choose the sessions you’d like to join.

Our thanks to every workshop leader, open-mic host, performer, and volunteer helping bring these three days to life. We’re grateful to 106 Gallery for hosting us and to festival supporters Dwelling Place, Avenue for the Arts, Hendrik Meijer, and John Hunting.

Whether you come with a new poem, a book to sign, a dish to share, or simply a willingness to listen, we hope to see you this fall. Keep an eye on our events calendar for more ways to take part.

Scott Krieger
Next

The Confluence Is Now Available for Preorder!