Alabama Writers' Forum

A NewSouth Bookstore Holiday Special: A little literary, a lot of cheer!
2025-12-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
The NewSouth Bookstore officially kicks off the 2025 holiday season with a very special event on Sunday, December 7 at 3pm. Enjoy an afternoon of short holiday-themed readings — from the works of Damon Runyon, Della Lutes, and others — with musical interlude. The talented cast includes Wanda Battle, Rodney Clark, Greta Lambert, Maire Martello, Greg Thornton, and the producer himself, John Martello. The NewSouth Bookstore loves a holiday tradition. Ringing in the holidays with Martello and friends is fast becoming a wonderful such tradition. Don’t miss the fun!

Jacqueline Allen Trimble, Alabama Poet Laureate elect: Reception with reading from “American Happiness,” Now in Paperback!
2025-12-10 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Join us for a reception in honor of Jacqueline Allen Trimble on her Alabama Poet Laureate nomination (2026—2029). Trimble will read briefly from American Happiness, her first collection of poems, newly released in paperback. It’ll be a joyful occasion. Come celebrate with us.

Scrooge! The Musical at Bean-Brown Theatre, Tuscaloosa
2025-12-11 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-12 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-14 14:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-17 14:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-20 14:00 - 16:30, 2025-12-21 14:00 - 16:30 | Bean- Brown Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35405, United States
Scrooge! is a 1992 stage musical with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Its score and book are closely adapted from the music and screenplay of the 1970 musical film “Scrooge” staring Albert Finney and Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol. Bricusse was nominated for an Academy Award for the song he wrote for the film, and most of those songs were carried over to the musical.

Scrooge! The Musical
2025-12-12 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-13 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-14 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-17 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-20 14:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | Bean- Brown Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35405, United States
Scrooge! is a 1992 stage musical with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Its score and book are closely adapted from the music and screenplay of the 1970 musical film Scrooge starring Albert Finney and Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. Bricusse was nominated for an Academy Award for the song score he wrote for the film, and most of those songs were carried over to the musical.

Writer's Fellowship on Martha's Vineyard
2025-12-22 08:00 - 2026-01-19 17:00 | The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing, 215 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, MA, 02539, United States
Our 2026 Fellowships include full tuition & lodging to our Summer Writers’ Conference on Martha’s Vineyard, and we’d love to support your authors and poets! Our Emerging Writer Fellowships are open to all writers ages 18+ who have yet to publish a book/chapbook. And this year we also have full fellowships for Writers of Color, Queer Writers, Parent Writers, Teachers & Educators and a brand new fellowship for Full-time Caregivers. We are offering over $20,000 in Fellowships to attend, and the deadline for application is Jan 19th, 2026.
Alexander Weinstein
Director
THE MARTHA’S VINEYARD INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE WRITING
954-242-2903 | mvicw.com

Alabama State Poetry Society Online Open Mic
2025-12-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Join us for online poetry open mics the 4th Monday of each month!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85693609367
Meeting ID: 856 9360 9367

Geminga Contest 2026
2025-12-31 - 2026-01-31 | Online, NC
Authors and artists can submit to Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest, which honors the power of micro works in all genres/categories. Opens January 1, closes January 31. Entry fee: $5. Prize: $100 cash and publication. See guidelines and entry form, along with the journal’s other open calls, here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.

Author Joe Cuhaj Book Signing
2026-01-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Page and Palette, 32 South Section St., Fairhope, AL, 36532, United States
Author Joe Cuhaj will be signing copies of his latest book, “Notable Women of Alabama,” Saturday, January 10th from 1 to 3pm at Page & Palette, 32 S. Section Street, Fairhope, AL.

In-conversation & Book Signing with Gabriella Saab!
2026-01-11 16:30 - 18:30 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us on January 11, 2026, 4:30pm at The Haunted Book Shop for an exclusive afternoon with Gabriella Saab as she presents her latest historical novel, The Star Society. This in-conversation event will offer an intimate look at the inspirations behind the novel along with a signing line and photo op with Gabriella.
In The Star Society, the captivating tale of two extraordinary sisters will transport readers from the shadows of the Dutch Resistance to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Inspired by the indomitable spirit of Audrey Hepburn, this gripping story follows Ada and Ingrid as they reunite after World War II, embarking on a journey of justice, survival, and secrets amid the backdrop of the Red Scare in Hollywood.
Gabriella Saab will share insights into the creation of her characters, Ada and Ingrid, highlighting their distinct paths from war-torn Europe to the charged atmosphere of Cold War America. Following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to get their copies of The Star Society signed by the author herself. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of compelling women’s narratives, or simply a fan of beautifully crafted fiction, this event promises to engage and inspire.
Jodie Cain Smith, event coordinator with The Haunted Book Shop, praises Gabriella’s work, “Beautifully crafted historical fiction that weaves a rich and tense narrative with moments of history that fascinate us. I’ve loved each of her previous books and cannot wait to read The Star Society!”
Don’t miss the chance to explore the complex layers of justice, identity, and reconciliation in an era marked by political paranoia and cinematic dazzle. Please join us at The Haunted Book Shop for a memorable evening steeped in the intrigue and emotional depth of Gabriella Saab’s remarkable storytelling.
Book purchase from The Haunted Book Shop is required for attendance.

Nora's Playhouse reads from “Back Porch Play” at The NewSouth Bookstore!
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We are excited to host Nora’s Playhouse again, this time a reading of a play by Montgomery’s own Adrian Lee Bush, titled “Back Porch Play.” Come discover the pleasure of these intimate salons — there are only front rows at The NewSouth Bookstore.

Black Clouds Launch Party with Jodie Cain Smith
2026-01-16 17:30 - 19:30 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us on January 16th at The Haunted Book Shop for a book launch party with Jodie Cain Smith as she presents her latest novel, Black Clouds, the second installment in her Brackish Waters Series. Guests will enjoy a meet-and-greet with the author, light refreshments, and a one-night-only Jodie Cain Smith-themed cocktail menu available next door at Alchemy Tavern. Guests (21+) may grab a to-go cocktail at Alchemy then join the party in the bookstore. (You know you want to sample a Boozy Bellefontaine, a Saucy Swamp Water, or whatever else Jodie and the Alchemy bartenders will concoct!)
As a special treat, a one-night-only popup shop featuring Maragild jewelry will be onsite. Maragild was born on the beaches of Fort Morgan, Alabama, where local artist Amanda Gibson picked up a few shells and bones and imagined them gleaming in gold. Each piece is foraged, crafted, and gilded by hand. A portion of every sale supports Alabama coastal conservation nonprofits working to protect the waters and wildlife that inspire us all.
But at this party, the real star of the show is Jodie’s new book. Black Clouds continues the harrowing tale of Jules, whose brief respite is upended by the resurgence of old adversaries and the emergence of new dangers that target the heart of her family.
About Black Clouds:
When monsters come for your kid, you go after the monsters.
Jules wants nothing more than to recover from the injuries sustained during her captivity and to live peacefully with her family, but in Bellefontaine, wishes are rarely granted. With her former captor missing and new threats on the horizon, Jules’ sense of peace and relief is shattered. The Knights may be down, but they are heading back up to come for Jules through the ones she loves. And they are aiming directly at the one she loves the most…
Book two of Jodie Cain Smith’s Brackish Waters Series goes back to Bellefontaine and back into the storm’s mouth in Black Clouds.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your copy of Black Clouds signed and to meet the mind behind the monsters of Bellefontaine. Book purchase from The Haunted Book Shop required to attend.

John K. Bollard with Protesting with Rosa Parks: From Stagecoaches to Driving While Black
2026-01-20 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
In a first event co-sponsored by the Freedom Rides Museum, The NewSouth Bookstore is proud to announce a talk by historian John K. Bollard about his new book, Protesting with Rosa Parks: From Stagecoaches to Driving While Black. The work details the history of the intersections between Black activism and travel, over a span of nearly two hundred years. Deeply informed and powerfully written, this new work reveals Rosa Parks’s refusal to move from her seat on the bus as part of the long Black protest tradition. Join us for this special event on Tuesday, January 20 at 5:30pm.

James B. Conroy - The Devils Will Get No Rest: FDR, Churchill, and the Plan That Won the War @ Alabama Booksmith
2026-01-21 17:00 - 18:00 | Alabama Booksmith, 2626 19th Pl S Homewood, AL, 35209, 2626 19th Pl S, Homewood, AL, 35209, United States
Come meet one of America’s most respected historians, James Conroy as he signs copies of his deeply researched book about the secret plan to win World War Two.
You may purchase signed copies of THE DEVILS WILL GET NO REST (34.00) to pick up at the event, at the store later, or have them carefully wrapped and mailed worldwide by Clicking Here.

Barbara Wiedemann reading from Following the Snow Leopard
2026-01-22 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Publication of Barbara Wiedemann’s next chapbook is reason to celebrate. Join us for a reading by the poet from Following the Snow Leopard on Thursday, January 22 at 5:30pm, with book signing to follow. Wiedemann’s work is a profound exploration of our connection with the natural world expressed through solitude and stillness — generously human, gorgeously vivid. Importantly, it urges us to cherish the wilderness in the world and ourselves.
