by Paula Treick DeBoard
Is 2026 the year you do the writing? (Your memoir, a poem, that graphic novel, the kids’ book you’ve had in your head for years?) Modesto has plenty of outlets for writers to explore, plan, write and share! Here are a few things happening this month:
– Monday night Write Club meet-ups continue in February on the 9th and 23rd at 6:30pm at Bookish (811 W. Roseburg Ave). This is a low-key event where you choose your focus – we’ll do a writing prompt to wake up that side of our brains and then dig into our individual projects, whatever they might be. Tickets are $5 and revert to a $5 in-store voucher upon entry.
– Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center is hosting several big events this month, beginning with the Stanislaus County Poetry Out Loud, a recitation contest for students at local participating schools held at the Prospect Theater Project on Tues, February 3 at 6:30pm. Winners may advance to regional or state competitions. Second Tuesday Poetry (February 10 at 7pm at Bookish) continues to be a packed crowd, with two featured poets and an open mic. This month’s readers are William O’Daly and Linda Maria Prather Nelson. MoSt board president Gillian Wegener especially encourages new and emerging poets to share at the monthly open mic. “We at MoSt Poetry love to hear poems by people who are sharing their work for the very first time,” she says. Also, Saturday at the Carnegie is back on February 21 at 2pm with featured poets Cleo Griffith and Jesse Wolf, followed by an open mic. Find out more at www.mostpoetry.org<www.mostpoetry.org/>
– And the Queen Bean’s writing events are killing it, bringing packed crowds to second Wednesday Write Nights and fourth Wednesday Poetry Slams. These are newbie-friendly events; all are welcome in this supportive space. Check out their monthly calendar on Instagram @queenbean_coffehouse
Looking for a writing group or meet-up spot? Have an idea for a workshop or reading?
Feel free to reach out at bookish@bookishmodesto.com<mailto:bookish@bookishmodesto.com>.
