Alabama Writers' Forum

Alabama State Poetry Society Online Open Mic
2027-07-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-06-28 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-05-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-04-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-03-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-02-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-01-25 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-12-28 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) and 7 more dates | 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

"Big Fish" at Bean-Brown Theatre, Tuscaloosa
2026-07-26 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-23 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-22 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-19 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-17 19:30 - 22:00 and 1 more date | Bean- Brown Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35405, United States
Dive into a world of tall tales and heartfelt connections as a father and son navigate the complexities of family and the search for their own “home”. This enchanting musical set in Alabama celebrates the power of storytelling and the enduring bonds that tie us together. The 2003 movie version, which was filmed in Alabama, featured Albert Finney (33 years after Scrooge) as Edward Bloom (the elder).

Patricia Smith with her National Book Award-Winning poetry collection, The Intentions of Thunder
2026-06-09 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We are honored to host Patricia Smith for a program at The NewSouth Bookstore, a talk about and reading from her 2025 National Book Award-winning book, The Intentions of Thunder. Smith is a poet, spoken-word performer, playwright, author, and writing teacher, whose work has been called life-changing, “abundant, brilliant, and unprecedented.” Don’t miss her Montgomery appearance!

An afternoon of music with Thick Editions and guest Dylan Hawes-Glynn
2026-05-31 15:00 - 16:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Kick off summer with some great sounds at The NewSouth Bookstore! On Sunday, May 31 at 3pm we welcome Thick Editions, a legendary local improv group starring Jeff McLeod, Marshall Marrotte, and Tracy Harris — on guitar, bass, and drums, respectively — all longtime stalwarts of the underground Southeastern music scene. If you love music, you will love the heady mixture of written and improvised stuff this group always concocts. Dylan Hawes-Glynn, a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Nashville, opens for them on vibraphone. Fun!

Shannon Milliman talk about What If God Is? What If I Am?
2026-05-19 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
It’ll be a lovely evening on Thursday, May 19 at 5:30pm when we welcome Shannon Milliman, a nationally staged playwright, poet/essayist, and TEDx speaker, whose work blends humor, heart, and a keen eye for the beauty in everyday moments. She will read from her book of selected verse, What If God Is? What If I Am?, and a work in progress, These Mountains Should Be Ours. Let’s welcome this talented Alabama transplant!

Matt Dinniman Unveils A Parade of Horribles
2026-05-16 18:00 - 20:00 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us on May 16th at The Haunted Book Shop for an in-store party celebrating A Parade of Horribles, the next installment in the best-selling Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Dive into Carl’s latest adventure with the new book, specialty Dungeon Crawler-themed cocktail menu at Alchemy Tavern (next door to the shop, 21+ with valid ID), and an in-store crawl with mini quests, loot boxes, and snacks. The fun starts at 6pm at 9 S Joachim St. Trust us when we say the AI will not be pleased if you refuse.
In A Parade of Horribles, we return to the underground world where Carl and his trusty sidekick Donut are thrust into a perilous set of races on the tenth floor of the dungeon. As the environment grows increasingly treacherous and the enigmatic eleventh floor looms, Carl devises a risky plan to reclaim control. Fans are also treated to bonus material exclusively available in this print edition, titled “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.” Talk about a loot box!
Whether you’re a long-time follower, consider yourself Donut’s true companion, or new to this series, The Haunted Book Shop is the perfect venue to explore the depths of author Matt Dinniman’s imaginative exploits. Get ready to face the crawl, The Haunted Book Shop way!
Reservations required. Ticket price includes hardcover edition of the book, in-store activities, and snacks. Limited space available.

Reading and Signing, Charles Ghigna's The Very Hungry Caterpillar's First Poems, at Impact Book Festival
2026-05-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Fultondale Event Center, 1210 Old Walker Chapel Road, Fultondale, AL, 35068, United States

Daniel Rood with In the Shadow of the Great House
2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
It is our great pleasure to welcome Daniel Rood to The NewSouth Bookstore for a talk about his new book, In the Shadow of the Great House, an astonishing ecological, architectural, cultural, and, above all, economic history of one of the primary emblems and engines of American history. It’s an revelatory and important new work. Join us for this special event.
