Not just a poetry post, but what poet in town hasn’t spent hours and dollars at Chaucer’s Bookstore?

Join Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin at Chaucer’s Bookstore, 3321 State St., on Monday, November 23, at 6 p.m. as he presents Mahri Kerley with this year’s Santa Barbara Literary Champions Award.

Kerley founded Chaucer’s in 1974 and spent five decades supporting authors and readers through author events, school book fairs and independent bookselling. Since selling the store in 2024, she has continued her longtime arts advocacy, serving on the boards of Opera Santa Barbara and the Community Arts Music Association. Join us to celebrate her lasting contributions to Santa Barbara’s literary life.

This award follows in the tradition begun when Perie Longo won the 2025 SB Literary Champions Award.