How to use this Page

How are you celebrating National Poetry Month?

Since 1996 the Academy of American Poets has been encouraging people everywhere to embrace and celebrate the history, passion, and art of poetry.  Around the country people are planning readings, write-ins, talks, and events that could inspire a haiku out of anyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just interested in seeing what poetry has to offer, Columbus offers a few great ways to take part in the celebration.  

Meet the Authors: Celebrating National Poetry Month
Tuesday, April 17, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Westerville Library, Meeting Room B.
Three published poets from the Westerville Poetry Group share their work. An open mic gathering and discussion will follow the readings.

Pen and Pallete Poetry Open Mic
Thursday, April 18, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Travonna Coffee House.
Free poetry open mic, hosted by local poet Hanif Abdurraqib. All work is welcome to be shared!

Borderlands: Poetry On the Edge
Saturday, April 20, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Main Street Books (Mansfield, OH).
These poetry readings feature writers we have invited from all over the state; the readings by our hand-picked poets will be followed by a brief open mic.

National Poetry Month Publishing Workshop with M. Scott Douglass, Publisher of Main Street Rag
Thursday, April 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Bexley Public Library.
To celebrate National Poetry Month this year, OPA members are invited to attend a publishing workshop where they can get great ideas and advice to help them compile a manuscript for a book or chapbook.

Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Every Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.
Kafe Kerouac.
Every Wednesday Writers’ Block Poetry has their weekly slam followed by an open mic for anyone in the audience.  

Even if you can’t make it to one of these events, celebrate poetry on your own terms! Whether you’re doing a little extra writing or reading, take the opportunity to further explore this fantastic multi-faceted art form. So indulge in your favorite poet, find your favorite line, and spread your love of poetry!

Are you doing something to celebrate National Poetry Month? If so, let us know in the comments below!

Did you catch our inaugural First Book Blogger Book Club? We asked some of our favorite book bloggers to read ‘Slam’ by Nick Hornby, and tell us what they thought. It’s a great way to let more people know about the young adult titles we carry on the First Book Marketplace, and get people talking about some of the books we love.

And now we want you! You’ve always wanted to join a book club, right? Book bloggers in particular, but anyone with a blog or a website, or even just a Facebook page is welcome to participate. Read the book, think it over, and tell us what you think! We’ll be spotlighting everyone’s posts and reviews on February 19, and then we can discuss the book here on the First Book blog.

This month’s selection is: Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by E. Lockhart.

Follow Frankie from her 14 year old geeky, shy self to her 16 year old criminal masterminded self her wont take no for an answer, not even from her boyfriend and his secret all-male club. This is the story of how she got that way.

So pick up a copy of the book at your favorite bookstore or library, share your thoughts on Feb. 19th (or a few days before, if you like), and send us the link to your post.

Questions? Just ask them in the comments section of this post, and we’ll get back to you right away.

As you might be able to guess, we love books here at First Book, and we get excited about some of the great titles that we’re able to offer to children in classrooms and programs all across the county through the First Book Marketplace, our award-winning online store.

When you’re excited about something, you want to share it, so welcome to the inaugural First Book Blogger Book Club! We invited some of our favorite book bloggers to read a young adult title that we carry on the First Book Marketplace and post about it on their blog.

February’s book was Slam, Nick Hornby’s story of a teenager unexpectedly facing fatherhood, and his search for wisdom in the autobiography of pro skateboarder Tony Hawk.

Check out the reviews and blog posts about ‘Slam’, and check back later this week when we’ll reveal next month’s title, and tell you how you can get involved.

Links to the participating blogs will appear here as they are posted, so check back and see what our bloggers had to say. And if you’ve read ‘Slam’, leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.