2026 Sun & Moon Poetry Festival: May 15–17 in Yellow Springs

The 2026 Sun & Moon Poetry Festival Invites Attendees to “Navigate with Poetry.”

The Ohio Poetry Association (OPA), in partnership with Miami Valley Astronomical Society, presents the fifth Sun & Moon Poetry Festival, May 15–17, 2026, in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Poets and poetry lovers are invited to explore the theme, “Navigate with Poetry,” during a weekend of writing workshops, readings, stargazing, and other activities that culminate in a celebration of poetry and the cosmos. Keynote guest Geoffrey A. Landis is an award-winning poet, science fiction writer, and scientist whose writing has appeared in more than twenty languages.

“At Glen Helen, Poetry and Nature become one in the ravine, the open sky, and our words,” said Susann Moeller, OPA First Vice President and festival chairperson.

Additional workshop leaders for the weekend are renowned poets Lauren Camp, Manuel Iris, Paula J. Lambert, and Dior J. Stephens. A special haiku hike led by Ray McNiece will offer visitors a chance to hear poems in the beautiful setting of Glen Helen Nature Preserve. The weekend also offers street poetry in downtown Yellow Springs, a haiku “death match,” native flute music, sound bathing, and an open-mic for festival attendees to share their own poetry.

"Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we have a remarkable lineup of poets and activities planned for this year's Sun & Moon Poetry Festival, which is a signature OPA event that demonstrates our commitment to expanding poetic craft and community in inclusive spaces," said Holly Brians Ragusa, OPA President.

Sponsors for the festival include the Ohio Arts Council, Full/Crescent Press, Lit Youngstown, LitCincy, Sheila-Na-Gig Editions, and Crisis Chronicles Press.

Complete festival information, a program schedule, and accommodations information is available on the OPA website at ohiopoetryassn.org/sun-moon-festival

Registration is available through April 22th at eventbrite.com/e/sun-moon-poetry-festival-tickets-1892651303999.

The Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) is a nonprofit, educational volunteer organization with a 501(c)(3) Federal designation and a member state of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

A Confluence of Poems: 2025 Edith Chase Reading, May 16th at Kent State

Friday 16 May 2025 at 4 p.m., poets from all over Ohio will gather for a dramatic reading on the theme of tributaries. There will be music, and an anthology of the poems performed will be available at the reading.

Kent State College of Architecture + Environmental Design
132 S. Lincoln Street
Kent, Ohio 44240

More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1007338138041745.

Get Blasted (and more) at PoetryElyria

Cleveland Poetics blog contributor T.M Göttl is also a brilliant poet who has a new chapbook available from Cleveland's Blasted Press. Pick up a copy and hear T.M. read Sunday February 20th 2011 at 1 p.m. during PoetryElyria at Jim's Coffeehouse and Diner, 2 Kerstetter Way in Elyria, Ohio. This event will also feature readings by poets Steve Thomas (of Cleveland) and Tina Puckett (of Stark County). An uncensored open mic will precede the features. Visit Blasted Press at www.blastedpress.com and on Facebook. Jim's Coffeehouse is a beautiful venue and their ownership and staff have been incredibly supportive of poets, even staying open 24 hours a day (with the staff working for nothing but tips) during our recent 150-hour Snoetry poetry marathon. Many thanks to everyone in the literary community who has supported Jim's Coffeehouse back! If you can, please check out these upcoming events: Feb. 20th: We'll feature T.M Göttl, Steve Thomas & Tina Puckett Feb. 27th: Columbus poets Louise Robertson, Paula Lambert, Laraine Seidl March 6th: Grand finale at Jim's Coffeehouse, featuring John Dorsey (Toledo), Zach Ashley (Detroit), Steve Goldberg (Cleveland) & Steve Brightman (another Blasted Press author, from Kent).