Sonoma County Literary Update

Ongoing Writers’ Groups, Readings and Open Mics

DURING THE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS, ONGOING GROUPS AND OPEN MICS WERE EITHER CANCELED, POSTPONED OR ONLINE. CONTACT FACILITATORS TO INQUIRE, IF NOT NOTED BELOW.

A list of  online open mics in the Bay Area and beyond has been compiled by poet Dan Brady at: http://www.drdan.solutions/The_Global_Open_Mic2.htm (updated 10/3/23).

SUNDAYS

Every Sunday: Rivertown Poets is partnering with Petaluma Community Access (103.3 FM in Petaluma) or live streaming at KPCA.FM. The show Rivertown Poets airs every Sunday at 4:00 p.m. We’ll be sharing audio from our Zoom readings. In the future, we’ll air some new interview shows with poets.

Every Second Sunday. Penngrove Market Reading Series, 8:00-9:30 p.m. Poetry, prose, CNF, acoustic music, at 10070 Main Street, Penngrove. Join our audience on the second Sunday evening of every month at 8 pm at beautiful Penngrove Market. For each event, we select two to three featured readers and host an open mic. Anyone can sign up for the open mic upon arrival, and as many people will read as time allows. Please limit your time to five minutes each. All genres welcome. Dates and featured readers: https://www.penngrovereadingseries.com. READINGS ON PAUSE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS.

Third Sundays, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Literary  Open Mic: Coffee Catz Poetry Reading. Donations Appreciated. 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707 829-5643.

Third Sunday Salon. The monthly Healdsburg Literary Guild’s Third Sunday Salon meets at Bean Affair, 1270 Healdsburg Ave., Ste. 101, Healdsburg from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. every third Sunday. Open mic sign-ups start at 1:30 p.m.  See our web site at www.hbglitguild.org.

Word by Word: Conversations with Writers on KRCB 91.1 FM on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Round-table interviews of or about authors with host Gil Mansergh. Can be streamed live at http://radio.krcb.org/programs/word-word#stream/0 or via podcast (http://radio.krcb.org/rss).

Fourth Sunday Meditation Gatherings, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Writers, artists, beginning and seasoned meditators welcome. Drop-in on Zoom by donation. Clara Rosemara will lead the meditation and follow with a question, answer and discussion period. RSVP to receive the Zoom invite: rosen@sonic.net

Last Sunday of each month, 6:00-8:30 pm: Poetry, Pints, and Prose. For more information, contact Michelle at 707-326-3773 or Catherine at 707-338-1554 or e-mail them at PoetryPintsProse@aol.com.

MONDAYS

Snoopy’s Writers is changing its name to Wordists Writers, as of October 2025. More information for this online writers’ group will be forthcoming later this month. Contact Georgette at ggdeb@sonic.net.  (Updated 9/30/25)

Jumpstart Mondays. Jumpstart: a writing workshop where creative prompts inspire writing. Mondays, 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. Petaluma Copperfield’s. Marlene Cullen and Susan Bono facilitate alternate months. Details: www.TheWriteSpot.us. WORKSHOPS ON PAUSE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS.

Virtual meetings on first Monday of each month via Zoom. Rivertown Poets (Poetry Night at Aqus). At 6:15 p.m. Featured readers with open mic signups at 5:45 p.m. Sign in at aqus.com/rivertownpoets. No need to tell us about yourself unless you are new to us! (One sentence is enough!) For more information, see: https://www.facebook.com/RivertownPoetsAMuseingMondays. Rivertown Poets’ YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJGhlRyK54dc7M_fn7fs_CA. Contact: Sande Anfang: wrdpntr51@gmail.com. See Sunday listing for KPCA-FM show. 

Second Monday of every month, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Dine with Local Authors at Gaia’s Garden International Vegetarian Buffet, 1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa. Call 544-2491 or email info@jeaneslone.com to request dining at a specific authors table. $5 minimum food purchase. Dining With Authors is looking for authors who have not presented their book there before. Please contact Jeane Slone, info@jeaneslone.com. For info on specific events, see: http://jeaneslone.com/dine-with-authors

Fourth Monday. Redwood Writers Open Mic. The FREE Monday Open Mic Series meets at Gaia’s Garden, 1899 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Signup at 5:30 p.m. For further information, see http://redwoodwriters.org/events/openmic. OPEN MIC ON PAUSE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS.

TUESDAYS

Ongoing Tuesday workshops: Not Contained Between My Hat and Boots: Creative Writing as Spiritual Practice, on Zoom with Clara Rosemarda. For information or to register (707) 567-7117 or rosen@sonic.net. Details on Workshops page.

Jumpstart Tuesdays. Jumpstart: A writing workshops using creative prompts to inspire writing. Bring a notebook and a fast-moving pen, as we travel on a journey of exploration and experience meaningful writing. Tuesdays 10:00 am to 11:30 a.m. Copperfield’s Books, 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma. Marlene Cullen facilitates. WORKSHOPS ON PAUSE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS. Details: www.TheWriteSpot.us

Poetry Club at the Napa Bookmine meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. We talk about one book of poetry, a must-read that we skipped or want to read again. Facilitator is Napa Poet Laureate Jeremy Benson, who tries to pick diverse books. Don’t usually read poetry? Awesome. Didn’t like the book, and want to figure out why not? Great. Books can always be found at the Napa Bookmine, though purchase isn’t necessary to participate. Napa Bookmine, 964 Pearl St, Napa. Contact: Jeremy Benson, jer.benson@gmail.com.

Third Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m. North Bay Poetics Open Mics. Free events on Zoom. Join. Share. Shine. Send an email (info@northbaypoetics.net) to be added to their list.

Poetic License Sonoma has a brand new venue. After a brief hiatus, our Poetic License Sonoma Zoom readings will take place on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July, and October, 2025 on a quarterly basis. There will no longer be a registration fee; readings will be free. Questions? Call Steve Trenam: (707) 696-9441. For information about Poetic License Sonoma:
https://poeticlicensesonoma.com (Updated 1/22/25)

Last Tuesdays, Poetry Salon Happy Hour Presented by Timothy Williams. Come join us for a night of poetry, drinks, and good vibes at Barrel Proof Lounge (501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa)! Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just looking to enjoy some spoken word, this gathering is the perfect way to unwind after a long day. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts and raise a glass to the power of words! Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. with $6 beers & $2 off wine. Free popcorn! Poetry starts at 5 p.m. Are you a poet or an author? Let’s connect! Email SRPoetrySalon@gmail.com for booking. (New 6/27/25)

WEDNESDAYS

First Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. West Side Stories. At Polly Klaas Community Theater, 417 Western Avenue, Petaluma. West Side Stories believes that everyone has a story. Our goal is to give those stories a forum. Following the success of stand-up comics telling their stories, Dave Pokorny sought to accommodate all the people who asked, “When can I tell my story?” And to encourage those who doubted they had a story worth telling. Polly Klaas Community Theater provides a stage and a microphone. A theme inspires and shapes the evening and Dave Pokorny hosts the festivities. West Side Stories are limited to five minutes, and ten stories are heard. The stories are scored by a random audience-member, and a winner is announced who wins $50 cash. Cost: $5.00. More information at www.westsidestoriespetaluma.com.

Santa Rosa Poetry Slam. Every third Wednesday of the month (Signups at 5:30 p.m. and show starts at 6:00 p.m.). At Brew Coffee and Beerhouse (555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa). Contact Santarosapoetryslam@gmail.com. Social Media: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/Santarosapoetryslam, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571774108946 (New 10/31/25)

Random Acts Open Mic on Third Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Random Acts showcases local performers and writers of poetry and verse, fiction and non-fiction prose—including essay and memoir. Singers, comedians, and storytellers take the stage for five minutes each to share their talents with a receptive audience. If time permits, performers have a second chance at the mic. See Random Acts facebook page for zoom link: www.facebook.com/groups/203264823114726. More info: Gary Angell or Meta Strauss, sonomarandomacts@gmail.com.

Word Play Open Mic on Third Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Hosted by Isabell VanMerlin, at the Sonoma Community Center, Room 211 (Conference Room), Sonoma. All writers are welcome. Free.

THURSDAYS

Ongoing Thursday sessions, 1:00-3:00 p.m. TRANSITIONS: Finding Your New Narrative, A Zoom Creative Writing and Meditation Workshop with Clara Rosemarda. For information or to register (707) 567-7117 or rosen@sonic.net. Details on Workshops page.

The Speakeasy Cafe’s Sound of Ink, open-mic poetry show airs every Thursday at 4:00 pm.  Hosted by Nyla Alisia and Q, this show offers non-stop poetic entertainment where it is all about YOU the POETS! The Speakeasy Cafe is an eclectic, supportive, passionate and inspiring place to come share your words, listen to other poets, inspire and be inspired! Poets write because they have something to say. Come take the mic and say it! You are always welcome at the Speakeasy Cafe! www.blogtalkradio.com/speakeasycafe. Suggestion: When you call in to voice your poem, use SKYPE. Otherwise the cost is prohibitive. POSTPONED.

Second Thursdays. Speakeasy Poetry and Singers/Songwriters, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Featured readers followed by poetry and prose Open Mic and light refreshments. At Santa Rosa Arts Center, 312 South A Street, Santa Rosa. See: https://santarosaartscenter.org/index.php/speakeasy/. 

Second Thursday PoetryPlus, 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. at Friends House, 684 Benicia Drive, Santa Rosa. On the second Thursday of every month, outstanding poets are invited to present their works, together with a musician or other genre artist, to entertain and inspire in a program of “poetry-plus.” Free and open to the public. Sorry, no open mic at this time. Contact co-hosts Clare Morris (foolwise@me.com), and Vilma Ginzberg (vilmaginz@aol.com, Ph. 707-433-7119).

Why There Are Words, curated by founder Peg Alford Pursell and named Best of the Bay for Literary Events 2012 in its second year, draws a full house of Bay Area residents every second Thursday of the month. Studio 333 is located at 333 Caledonia Street, Sausalito. Phone Studio 333 at 415-331-8272. More info at: http://whytherearewords.com

Books on Stage, an every-other-month reading series featuring one poet and one prose writer, each with 30 minutes to read. An alliance with the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center (CPAC), the 99-seat theater where the event is held. Free. CPAC is located at 209 North Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, 707-894-2214; www.cloverdaleperformingarts.com.

Last Thursday of the month. SebArts Writers’ Salon—a monthly in-person gathering for literary enthusiasts. Each participant will have 5 minutes to read their work (any type of writing is welcome including prose, poetry, essay, etc.)  Enjoy sharing feedback and insights! Light refreshments will be served. Facilitator: Linda Loveland Reid. $10 to RSVP: sebarts.org

Last Thursday of the month (beginning March 25, 2021), 7:00-8:00 p.m. LOBA Poetry Series at Ukiah Library. Live, virtual open mic readings on Zoom. Join in to read or just listen to great poetry ! This free event is open to both teens & adults – all are invited to share poems in any form or style. Registration is required. Please contact Melissa at the Ukiah Library for the Zoom link: carrm@mendocinocounty.org

FRIDAYS

Literary Open Mic, Third Fridays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Share a short story or poetry. Email johnnybodega1@gmail.com for Zoom link. Hosted by John Christian, http://flyingchairproductions.weebly.com

SATURDAYS

Russian River Books and Letters Open Mic, first Saturday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Music, readings, and more. Performers must arrive by 6.30 to sign up. Beer, wine, food and books. In Coffee Bazaar next to the bookstore, 14045 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. See:www.booksletters.com/events/open-mic-night

Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA) meets the Second Saturday of the month, 9-12:15 at the The Key Room at the Next Key Center, 1385 North Hamilton Parkway, Novato, CA 94949. Free to members, $15 for non-members. For more information go to www.baipa.org.

Redwood Writers general meetings (Updated 12/27/23) are held on the Third Saturday of the month, from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at The Finley Community Center, 2060 W. College Ave, Santa Rosa, 95401). A small fee of $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers is asked to cover costs. Redwood Writers is a branch of the California Writers Club. For more information, see www.redwoodwriters.org. 

Central Open Mic. Third Saturdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Santa Rosa Central Library Forum Room. Music, poetry, comedy, spoken word, and more. All ages welcome. Slots are 5-10 minutes long and space is limited, so please register in advance. Event details and registration can be found by searching for “central open mic” at https://sonomacounty.libcal.com.

Intermittently Scheduled Events

Haiku Poets of Northern California. Join us for our free quarterly readings & workshops. A featured reader, often longtime HPNC members, will present a short reading of haiku and/or other Japanese genre poetry. Each meeting also offers a lengthier program (usually a presentation or workshop related to one of the Japanese forms). There will be one or more round-robin readings, where all attendees have an opportunity, open-mic style, to read and share one or more haiku and tanka. Also news and announcements, including upcoming events, submission calls and brief introductions of any new books of interest, as well as time for socializing and refreshments. A book table is set up for the sale and purchase of HPNC and other books (you may bring your own publications if you have some to sell). Our meetings and special events, which are open to both members and nonmembers, are held quarterly at San Francisco’s Fort Mason, building C, room 235, from 1 to 5 pm. For more information, or to become an HPNC member (which includes a subscription to our renowned semiannual journal Mariposa and a quarterly newsletter) go to the HPNC website at www.hpnc.org.