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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Tomorrow's Bauder Lecture at Howard Community College (in Columbia, Md.) with graphic novelist Mat Johnson. 12:30 p.m. (Hybrid ) Monteabaro Recital Hall in the Horowitz Center. More info and live stream link: howardcc.edu/bauderlecture 6:00 p.m. Monteabaro Recital Hall in the Horowitz Center

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It's the Baltimore Book Festival this weekend. The festival takes place in the Waverly neighborhood along Waverly Main Street (centering on 30th, 31st, and 32nd streets near Greenmount Avenue). For all you need to know, visit: baltimorebookfest.com

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Turn the corner into September and a new season begins. For information on these and other upcoming events, visit hocopolitso.org (Events are in and around Columbia, Maryland.)

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Here we go again, in honor of our dear Ellen. The submission window for this year's Ellen Conroy Kennedy Poetry Prize is now open. All you need to know and the entry form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

City Lit says #SAVETHEDATE. It's on our calendars. Better make sure it is on yours.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Not good news: "Daily reading for pleasure among five to 17-year-olds fell from 39% in 2012 to 25% in 2025, data shows, while the proportion of children who rarely or never read for pleasure tripled from 5% to 15%." Better stats in the link: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/a...

theguardian.com

‘Relentless’ focus on literacy undermines reading for pleasure, says report

New HarperCollins study finds that daily reading for pleasure among five- to 17-year-olds fell from 39% in 2012 to 25% in 2025

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

While our HUGE event -- The Blackbird Poetry Festival with Sarah Kay -- happens this Thursday, our friends at Little Patuxent Review are holding another in their series of The Author Next Door presentations tomorrow evening (details in image). More on Sarah Kay here: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Just two weeks out from the Blackbird Poetry Festival, bringing spoken word poet Sarah Kay to Columbia, Md! Join us for the Nightbird Reading, an unmissable evening for lovers of storytelling, spoken word, creative expression, and inspiration. 🗓️ April 23rd, 7 pm 🎟️ www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Mark that calendar and get ready to join us for TED speaker and world-renowned spoken word poet #SarahKay on Thursday, April 23rd on the campus of Howard Community College, #ColumbiaMD. #BlackbirdPoetryFestival #SpokenWord #HoCoPoLitSo #ArtsCulture hocopolitso.org/blackbird-po...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

It's National Poetry Month & there's a crazy amount of great LIT things to do: Saturday, it's the CityLit Festival in Baltimore, 10 till 6, at the Md. Center for History & Culture (610 Park Ave). Schedule here: www.citylitproject.org/wp-content/u... That looks a great way to spend your Saturday!

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

How eagerly we count down the days until April 23rd when the fantastic Sarah Kay brings her spoken word magic this year's #BlackbirdPoetryFestival on the campus of Howard Community College in #ColumbiaMaryland! hocopolitso.org/blackbird-po... #SarahKay #HoCoPoLitSo #PoetryInMotion #SpokenWord

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Residences at Vantage Point presents The Author Next Door on Friday, April 10, 11 a.m. Reading & discussion, featuring novelist Tudor Alexander & Howard County Youth Poet Laureate Penelope Tofigh, moderated by literature instructor George Clack. Free & open to the public. patch.com/maryland/col...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Check it out, the Wilde Readings series is in the news. Take a look at the article to get an idea and join us next week for a great evening of readings at Queen Takes Book in Columbia, Md. Second Tuesdays of every month Sept. thru June. Starts at 7 p.m. www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/local-poetry...

thebeaconnewspapers.com

Local poetry reading series marks 10 years | Beacon

Poets, it’s said, are solitary people, but not in Howard County. On a given Tuesday evening in Columbia, you may stumble upon a gathering of poets reading their work aloud in a bookstore. That’s Wilde...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Marking National Poetry Month, last week Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Truth Thomas has been re-appointed for a second term as Howard County’s inaugural Poet Laureate. Congratulations, Truth! We love the work you do.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Who will be the next Howard County Youth Poet Laureate? Could it be you? To learn what you need to do and to submit, visit www.hocoarts.org/grant/youth-... Pictured is the 2025 Youth Poet Laureate Penelope Tofigh at the announcement reading at Busboys and Poets in Columbia, Maryland.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

It's another one of those Wilde Readings Tuesdays. Featured readers and an open mic, all at Queen Takes Book. Starts at 7 p.m.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Wilde Readings' partner Queen Takes Book is holding a local author fair on March 26: queentakesbook.com/event/2026-0...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Just on the other side of yesterday's The Little Patuxent Review reading debuting the poem, let's share congratulations to @chrissystegmanpoet.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Ellen Conroy Kennedy Poetry Prize! Winning poem & learn a bit about the poet in the link. hocopolitso.org/2026/02/17/m...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Saddened to hear of the passing of Coleman Barks this week. Here is a treasure of an interview with Bill Moyers at the Dodge Poetry Festival when was held in Waterloo, New Jersey. Obituary in the comments. vimeo.com/33285728

vimeo.com

Sounds of Poetry: Coleman Barks (1999)

Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Coleman Barks taught poetry and creative writing at the University of Georgia for 30 years. A prolific translator of the…

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Caoilinn Hughes, acclaimed author of The Wild Laughter and The Alternatives, as our featured guest for the Annual Celebration of Irish Writing & Music. 🗓️ Saturday, February 7th, 7:30 p.m. 📍 Smith Theater-HCC Campus-Columbia, Maryland 🎟️ hocopolitso.org/irish-evening/

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

OK, was this on ANYONE'S radar? Paul McCartney, Phillip Glass, Lenny Kaye in different versions of this out there. Wow. Yes, you will. #dayofthedead youtu.be/4KWcmI802mw?...

youtu.be

Allen Ginsberg & Paul McCartney: Ballad of the Skeletons

YouTube video by Optic Nerve Ltd

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Next up for HoCoPoLitSo, it's our annual Irish Evening. This year featuring novelist and poet Caoilinn Hughes. For more information and tickets,https://hocopolitso.org/irish-evening/

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Tonight's the night, @queentakesbook's the place. #StartTheYearOutWrite Featured readers: Steven Leyva and Julia Tagliere.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Tomorrow evening at @queentakesbook in Columbia, Md. it is the first Wilde Readings of the year. Two featured readers and an open mic (and plenty of books to buy). Featured readers: Steven Leyva @sdleyva and Julia Tagliere @julia_justscribbling. Join us!

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Ross Gay is delight full. Come see for yourself as he joins us for a Happiness Hour at 5:30 on Friday, November 7th in Columbia, Maryland. For all you need to know and tickets, visit hocopolitso.org. Direct ticket link: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket... Tickets just $25.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

You kept telling us. We kept looking in the wrong place. Thanks for your persistence. The ghost of last year's contest that has been haunting our website has now been exercised. Sincere apologies for that inconvenience. You can now visit HoCoPoLitSo.org for a no-ghosts go at entering the contest.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

How are YOU practicing delight? One of the things that is delighting us to no end is that we have Ross Gay coming to Columbia on November 7th. It is the not-to-miss end of our 50th season. We'll be even more delighted if you join us. Details in the comments. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2EE...

youtube.com

HOW TO FIND DELIGHT TODAY (AND EVERY DAY) WITH ROSS GAY: WCDHT EP 216

YouTube video by Glennon Doyle

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Tickets, just $25. www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Are you the next Ellen Conroy Kennedy Poetry Prize winner? We are looking forward to seeing your work! For all you need to know and to enter, visit: hocopolitso.org/2025/08/08/t...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Readings are America's new favorite past time? Come see what the hype is about next Tuesday at Queen Takes Book in Columbia, Md, where we will be hosting another Wilde Readings. Featured readers: Hannah V. Sawyerr and Ronald L. Smith. Details in the comments. electricliterature.com/readings-mig...

electricliterature.com

Readings Might Be Turning Into America’s New Favorite Pastime - Electric Literature

Many people arrive looking to meet someone and enjoy a shared cultural experience

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

“Krasznahorkai, I noticed, loved the snaking sentence, the high-wire act, mild panic steering towards a shivering fear felt by his characters, followed, in clause after clause, by fitful realisations and further reasons for gloom or alarm, and then…” Read on: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

theguardian.com

Colm Tóibín: Why I set up a press to publish Nobel winner László Krasznahorkai

The Irish novelist discovered the Hungarian writer two decades ago, and was excited by the verbal pyrotechnics of a rule-breaking storyteller

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

"Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, whose surreal and anarchic novels combine a bleak world view with mordant humor, won the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for work the judges said upholds the power of art in the midst of “apocalyptic terror.”" apnews.com/article/nobe...

apnews.com

Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai wins the Nobel Prize in literature

Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai has won the Nobel Prize in literature for his "compelling and visionary oeuvre."

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

A very special event coming up a week from this Friday at the Residence of Vantage Point. The community will host Howard County's Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate, Mai-Anh Nguyen in a conversation with Felix Facchine, Deputy Chief of Staﬀ for the County, exploring the experience the young poet.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

For more information on these and all of our upcoming events, visit hocopolitso.org.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

We took a moment to visit the #BannedBooks event at Howard Community College where we found students ghoulishly guarding the tombstones of books that have been banned. Impassioned students talked about books and the freedom to read. Great work, students. #CensorshipIsSo1984 #FreedomToRead #Freadom

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

It's Banned Books Week. How are you celebrating your fREADom?

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

The announcement is TODAY! We are on the edge of our seats. We actually won't know the winner until the announcement later today at Busboys and Poets.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Two opportunities to see Safia Elhillo -- author of the acclaimed Bright Red Fruit -- for #FREE tomorrow on the campus of Howard Community College. 12:30 p.m. Monteabaro Hall & streamed via Vimeo (link below). 6:00 p.m. Monteabaro Hall All you need to know: www.howardcc.edu/discover/art...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Our new poet laureate, Arthur Sze. "Because every U.S. poet laureate designs a special focus for their term, Sze plans to explore the art of translation, with the goal of compiling an anthology of translated poems from various languages & time periods." www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

Arthur Sze Named U.S. Poet Laureate

The Library of Congress has named Arthur Sze as the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2025-2026.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

There's a book festival in Baltimore tomorrow. baltimorebookfest.com/full-stage-s...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

New season of Wilde Readings launches Tuesday evening at Columbia's fantastic independent bookstore, Queen Takes Book (6955 Oakland Mills Rd E, Columbia, MD 21045). Featured readers and open mic. Starts at 7. We'd love to see you there.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Put down that book you are reading and jump into a stream.

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Calling all local (Howard County, Md) artists. Our Arts Council will have STUDIO SPACES available in their new location. Read through for details. Submission deadline is Sept 15. www.hocoarts.org/rentals-and-...

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HoCoPoLitSo @hocopolitso.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Coming up this Monday, Columbia Town Center Rotary Club is hosting an event at Cured / 18th & 21st to raise funds for youth literacy related causes, helping support county kids through signature book & reading programs. More information and tickets through the link. patch.com/maryland/col...

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