Programs

The Writers Place offers a variety of workshops, readings, and special events. Check out our event calendar for more information.

Reading Series

We host readings throughout the year by local, regional, and visiting writers of poetry, fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction.

Riverfront Readings - 2nd Fridays, 8 PM

Since 1986, Riverfront Readings of poetry and literature have taken place the second Friday of each month at 8 PM. Regular readings feature two readers (poets and fiction writers), who may be established regional writers or more local, emerging ones. Riverfront also hosts special readings and open mics throughout the year. Readers are selected by an independent committee. Those interested in reading should contact Riverfront directly.

The Writers Place Reading Series - 3rd Fridays, 7 PM

The Writers Place Reading series reviews and schedules requests to read, so anyone interested in reading must send in a request form. Each reading usually features three local, regional, emerging, and/or nationally known writers of mixed genres. The Readings and Special Events committee schedules readings by the end of each calendar year for the following year with some exceptions and partnerships. This series also supports five Celebration Events each year including an LGBT Reading, Day of the Dead, an Ethnic Celebration of mixed arts, and a mixed arts collaboration celebrating improvisational dance, music and poetry in partnership with River Cow Orchestra, the Kansas City Contemporary Dance Company, and poets from The Writers Place. If you would like to request to read, please download our Reading Request Form and submit in electronic version.

TWP Open Mic Reading -- 4th Mondays, 7 PM

TWP Open Mic reading series is open to all emerging and established writers. It's a great place to try something new out, do a first public reading, and get to know other writers in the community. It's a supportive experience and meets every 4th Monday at the Quaker House at 4405 Gilliam Road. All writing is welcomed--fiction, poetry, nonfiction, memoir, songs, and passages from plays. Readers have a total of four to five minutes. Sharon Eiker has been hosting this series since TWP opened in 1992. No need to let anyone know you want to read ahead of time for this series - just show up.

Request a Reading

If you are interested in reading on TWP Reading Series, our Readings and Events Committee receives Reading Request forms that they consider based on the mission of TWP and its goals. The committee dates and files each of the requests and books readings for the following calendar year in September and October until the year's schedule is full. If you want to read on that series, download the Reading Request form, and submit it electronically. Most readings are scheduled far in advance, so if you want the reading to be a book signing, be sure to submit months ahead of the release of your book. TWP Series books poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and drama. Readers read with two other people and have about 15-20 minutes of reading time. We do not book lectures, talks, religious writing (unless it is part of a special spiritual program), or inflammatory or salacious writing.

If you are interested in reading for the Riverfront Series, you can apply to Phyllis Becker. They also schedule their readings a year in advance, so be sure to get on their list as early as you can.