Alabama Writers' Forum

"Big Fish" at Bean-Brown Theatre, Tuscaloosa
2026-07-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-07-26 14:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | 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).

Alabama State Poetry Society Online Open Mic
2026-07-27 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-28 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-11-23 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-12-28 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-01-25 18:30 - 19:30, 2027-02-22 18:30 - 19:30 and 8 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

We celebrate the release of photographer Warren Simons's new book, The Art of Seeing
2026-07-28 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Join us in celebrating the release of Warren Simons’s new book, The Art of Seeing: Visual Surprises in the Everyday
World. One of our favorite local photographers — whose work regularly stuns us with its beauty — will talk about how we can all “see” like an artist with a little effort and understanding. Let’s reframe our world together! At The NewSouth Bookstore on Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30pm.

Lee Farrow leads discussion of Heart of a Dog for our annual group read
2026-08-06 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We are thrilled to announce the return of Dr. Lee Farrow, who will lead discussion about our next group read, Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov. The novella is a hilarious, brilliantly inventive story, as timely today as it was when written — one of Farrow’s favorite books by a Russian author. Join us as she takes us into the book, telling us what makes it great.

Bards and Brews Open Mic
2026-08-07 18:00 - 20:30 | Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL, 35203, United States
Birmingham Public Library’s Bards and Brews will be back on Friday, August 7, at the downtown Birmingham Public Library for another unforgettable evening of poetry, creativity, and community!
Doors Open: 6:00 PM., Open Mic Begins: 6:30 PM
Central Library, 2100 Park Place
Hosted By: Thed Weller
Featured Poet: Ava Walker
Guests must be 18 or older to attend and participate, and 21 or older to enjoy complimentary beer samples. We look forward to seeing you in August!
Bards & Brews is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Denise Kiernan with Obstinate Daughters
2026-08-11 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
History has always celebrated our Founding Fathers. In an act of correction, we’re bringing Denise Kiernan to The NewSouth Bookstore for a talk about her new book, Obstinate Daughters: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegade Women Who Ignited the American Revolution. The work is a sweeping chronicle that challenges the traditional mythology of the nation’s beginnings, championing the unsung women behind it. Kiernan is an award‑winning author, journalist, and producer with three decades of storytelling experience, so you just know this is going to be a great event and her book a must to read. See you at the bookstore on Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30pm.

It's Local Authors Day!
2026-08-15 12:00 - 16:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Our Local Authors Day has become a much anticipated annual bookstore event — and for good reason. People enjoy meeting authors working locally and talking to them about their work. And authors love the opportunity to meet potential readers! Saturday, August 15, starting at noon, we welcome another sixteen authors to the bookstore for this enjoyable program. Authors, register now with Jessala White at jessala.white@newsouthbookstore.com or 334-834-3556. Y’all, mark your calendars to be with us!

Book Bedazzling for Bookstore Romance Day
2026-08-15 16:00 - 18:00 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
You bring the book. We’ve got the BLING!
Join us for a sparkly afternoon at The Haunted Book Shop as we celebrate Bookstore Romance Day on August 15th, 4-6pm, with BOOK BEDAZZLING! Whether you are new to book bedazzling or a sparkling pro, we’ve got you covered. So, to celebrate the genre we love that’s all about love, you are invited to join your fellow book and crafting enthusiasts, especially romance fans, to cover your favorite book cover with rhinestones. Yes, for one special afternoon, we are turning our shop at 9 S Joachim St. into an art studio and you the artist!
Advance ticket purchase is required for this event. Your ticket gets you a deluxe bedazzling kit including gems, wax pencil, scoop, tweezers, tray, and glue, all organized for ease of use. Worried that you may not finish your book cover masterpiece during the event? Don’t! The kit is yours to keep so that you can take your work-in-progress home to finish with all the supplies and tools you need.
This event is all about friendship – old and new – the books we love, and sparkling creativity. Bring the book you wish to bedazzle and cozy up for an afternoon of crafting and sparkles.
Not a romance reader? No worries! We’d love to bedazzle with you, too. Bring your favorite fantasy, mystery, thriller, literary…any genre, any book cover!
See you and your favorite book on August 15th at 4pm.

An Evening with Adam Cesare at The Haunted Book Shop
2026-08-25 17:30 - 20:30 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Why dread the horror of back-to-school when you could celebrate with us and ADAM CESARE at The Haunted Book Shop on August 25th? Yes, you read that correctly. Adam Cesare is coming to Mobile as part of his national tour for book four in the series, “Lights! Camera! Frendo!”
This is your chance to meet Adam, author of the wildly popular horror series CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD, and have him sign your copy of Lights! Camera! Frendo! After the signing, Adam and select ticket holders will head down the street to the Crescent Theater for a special screening of the slasher film Clown in a Cornfield, followed by a Q&A with Adam. Only 95 screening tickets are available, so if you snooze on this invitation you will face the horror of a “sold out” banner.
The fun officially starts at 5:30PM at The Haunted Book Shop, but Alchemy Tavern will start slinging their Adam Cesare-themed cocktails earlier that afternoon to get you in a festive mood. There’s nothing scary about an Alchemy cocktail.
So, horror fans, who’s with me? Ready for all the jump scares and suspense of Adam Cesare and Clown in a Cornfield? Grab your ticket today. A paid, advance ticket is required for entry to the event. In the ticket ordering section, you will have your choice of ticket level for this event.
There will be three ticket types for this event:
1st tier – Book & Signing Line only (Includes book)
2nd tier – Movie & Q&A only (does not include book)
3rd tier – Book, Signing Line, & Movie & Q&A (includes book)

It's a Celebration! Presented by the River Region Rainbow Chorus
2026-08-25 18:00 - 19:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Our world is rich in different voices. Come enjoy the music of many in our greater Montgomery area. The River Region Rainbow Chorus is a radiant group, beautiful and with songs to be heard. At The NewSouth Bookstore on Tuesday, August 25 at 6pm.

Patricia Smith with The Intentions of Thunder
2026-08-27 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 on Thursday, August 27 at 5:30pm!

Emily Yellin talk about Nonviolent, book she coauthored for Rev. James Lawson Jr.
2026-09-22 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Join us for a talk by Emily Yellin, New York Times contributor and coauthor of the posthumous memoir of Rev. James Lawson Jr., peer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., mentor to Congressman John Lewis and the Freedom Riders, and a principal architect of a nonviolent resistance movement that changed the world. Nonviolent delivers an intimate self-portrait of Lawson as a man who recognized the inherent dignity of everyone, and challenged all forms of violence, Of the work historian Jonathan Eig, author of King: A Life, says, “This book is a gift to be treasured, from a man who has already given so much.” Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30pm. Co-sponsored by the Freedom Rides Museum, SPLC Alabama, Civil Rights Memorial Center, and SPLC Learning for Justice.

Opelika Book Festival
2027-02-18 - 2027-02-20 | Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn Street, Opelika, AL, 36801, United States
