Poetry Happens Here
Santa Barbara is a thriving creative community which includes poets and poetry lovers of all kinds. Santa Barbara even has its own poetry press, Gunpowder Press, which includes local poets in its Shoreline Voices series.
Upcoming Poetry Events
- Virtual Info Workshop for Next Poet Laureate Candidates, Dec. 8An opportunity to learn more about the role and its responsibilities and the application process.
- Book Release Readings–Chiavelli, Davis, Walker, Dec. 5Susan Chiavelli, Frances Davis, and Isabelle Walker read from new works at Tecolote Books, Dec. 5, 3 pm.
- Mahri Kerley receives the 2026 SB Literary Champions Award, Nov. 23Kerley, longtime owner Chaucer’s Bookstore, will be the county’s 2nd Literary Champion.
- SB County Competition, Poetry Out Loud, Nov. 18SB County students recite poetry, hoping to move to the statewide competition.
- Three Counties, Three Poets Laureate, November 16A reading by Mary Ann McFadden, Poet Laureate of Ventura County, Caleb Nichols, Poet Laureate of San Luis Obispo County, George Yatchisin, Poet Laureate of the City of Santa Barbara.
- Let’s Chat About Poetry with Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Nov. 15Join local poetry professor and esteemed author, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, for a reading of favorite poems. Sun., Nov. 15, 4-5 pm, domecil