EVENTS
Each year, the GWC hosts more than 100 events, including monthly open mics, readings year-round, and Fish Tales, our popular storytelling showcase. All are welcome, always.
Browse upcoming events using the calendar, or scroll to see a full listing below.
Looking for workshops or writing groups? Click here.
Scroll Down for List Layout of Upcoming Events
Learn more about: Fish Tales Reading Series Charles Olson Lecture
Fish Tales: FIESTA!
Tickets are on sale now for Fish Tales: FIESTA!
Come hear eight talented storytellers — Tom Aiello, Amy Clayton, Mike Diliberti, Steve Leblanc, Joe Palmisano, Anita Pandolfe Ruchman, Rosalie Rolentini, and Joe Sanfilippo — tell their true Fiesta stories about the traditions, ceremonies, competitions, spirit and fun!) of this treasured anchor to Gloucester’s rich history.
We will be joined by special musical guests jazz vocalist Rhiannon Hurst, accompanied by three-time Grammy nominee Adria Smith.
Ticket proceeds will help the Gloucester Writers Center continue to bring free and low-cost readings, lectures, workshops, open mics, and storytelling to the community.
Presented at The Cut, 177 Main Street, Gloucester. June 21: showtime at 8 pm, doors open at 7 pm. Reserved seating: $40-$60.
Tickets are selling fast! Get yours today: https://thecutlive.com/pages/events/fishtales-true-stories-told-live
Photo of six-time Greasy Pole champion Matza Giambanco by Roger Ward
Lecture: Thomas Jefferson & the Beginnings of Democracy in Anglo-Saxon England with Richard Rosenfeld
Historian and author Richard Rosenfeld, whose book American Aurora: A Democratic-Republican Returns was named “Best History Book” by the Los Angeles Times in 1997, challenges a centuries-old understanding of where Anglo-American democracy began. Starting with Thomas Jefferson’s 1776 proposal for the Great Seal of the United States—which honored the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa as founders of England’s democratic traditions—Rosenfeld argues that Jefferson and generations of historians got the story wrong.
This thought-provoking lecture offers a fresh perspective on the origins of democratic government and previews a presentation Rosenfeld will deliver at University of Cambridge this fall.
Literary Walk with Phil Storey
Join raconteur Phil Storey on his famous literary walk through downtown Gloucester! Phil will share information, rumor, and gossip about Gloucester’s most well known writers!
Poetry Reading with Daniel Bouchard and Elizabeth Young
Join us for a poetry reading!
Daniel Bouchard
Razor Zigzag is Daniel Bouchard’s fifth book. Chris Nealon wrote of it “Bouchard’s
rhythms straddle the ease of everyday speech and the compressed speed of silent
curiosity, so the poems shimmer from phrase to phrase and line to line.” Marcella
Durand said, “This is the true rebellion of Bouchard’s powerful work: that while others may scream ‘everything in poetry/ is failure by default,’ the poet will witness, the poem will resist.”
Elizabeth Young
Elizabeth Marie Young, a Boston-based poet and educator, is the author of the poetry collections An Inventory of Almost Everything (Subpress) and Aim Straight at the Fountain and Press Vaporize (Motherwell Prize Winner, Fence Books) as well as Translation as Muse: Poetic Translation in Catullus’s Rome (U Chicago Press), a book about the ancient Roman understanding of lyric translation and literary creativity.
Phil Storey's Literary Walk Begins Again!
We are very pleased to announce that noted raconteur Phil Storey will start up his Literary Walk on select weekends again this summer.
These tours of Gloucester's historic downtown and through the sordid history of the many writers connected to Gloucester are funny, entertaining, and informative -- a great combinaton!
First up will be May 30th. As in previous years, it begins at 10:00AM at 80 Main Street.
Night At Jalapeno's
Join us on May25th from 4pm until close at Jalapeno's in Gloucester! Jalapeno's is donating 10% of all sales to the Gloucester Writers Center that evening, eat in or take out. This is a wonderful opportunity for the GWC community to celebrate all of our many accomplishments.
At the end of the night, we will pull a raffle winner for the production of Bad Books by the Gloucester Stage Company.
Milo Todd Workshop: Writing Exercises For Character Development
Join Milo Todd as he discusses character development. This workshop will be full of writing exercises to help writers unlock the ideas they have for their characters.
Poetry Open Mic Night
Join us for Poetry Open Mic Night! Snacks & conversation, open to all.
Rockport International Poetry Festival
Rockport Poetry has consistently supported Poetry communities and poets on the North Shore for almost a decade.
As part of National Poetry Month, we host the annual ROCKPORT INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL April 17, 18, & 19, 2026,
Readings and presentations will be at the Rockport Community House, the Rockport Public Library and other venues throughout the town. Various poetry workshops will take place throughout the weekend. It opens on Friday evening April 17 with a reading by the First Poet Laureate of Massachusetts, Regie Gibson. On Saturday afternoon we will feature a bi-lingual poetry presentation by the acclaimed poet Jennifer Jean. An Open Mic will celebrate local and regional poetry talent. On Sunday morning poets from around the world will join together for an International Poetry Reading on Zoom.
There is also an International Haiku Contest! Submissions are currently open until the deadline of April 1st. Email RockportPoetry@gmail.com for details and contest rules. Winners will be announced by email on Sunday, April 19.
For local poets there is a Cape Ann Poetry Contest for residents of Rockport, Gloucester, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea. There will be 5 divisions each having 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Contact RockportPoetry@gmail.com for further information.Throughout the year we partner with community organizations like the Gloucester Writers Center to offer a variety of poetry events
Poetry Open Mic Night
Join us for Poetry Open Mic Night! Snacks & conversation, open to all.
International Women’s Day
Join the Gloucester Writers Center and the Coalition to End Domestic Abuse as we celebrate International Women’s Day. Led by Nicole Richon Schoel.
Gerrit Lansing Love Fest
Come celebrate our friend Gerrit on his 98 Birthday at the
Gerrit Lansing Love Fest. Bring Gerrit a poem to read.