Upcoming Events
Poetry Takeover! of Encinitas Library
That's right, we're taking over! For the second year, we bring you a full day of poetry programming, with workshops for young and old, a poetry reading featuring inspiring teen poet, entrepreneur and activist Otto Lana, and all-day book fair. Join us for a beautiful day of Poetry-by-the-Sea!
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First Friday: Poems from the Salon
An evening of poetry with members of The Poetry Salon, a committed clutch of poets who have been writing and sharing together since the pandemic. If you've never experienced a poetry reading before, I highly recommend First Fridays at SD Writers, Ink, located in beautiful and historic Liberty Station.
Previous Events
K!SDPA Workshop at Escondido Library
​Join poet and educator Jen Laffler at the dynamic Escondido Library for an inspiring day of creative word-play! This poetry workshop will dive deep into personification, and explore how this poetic device brings poetry to life. Poems created in this workshop may be published in the 2023 Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.
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This workshop is free of charge and all supplies will be provided.
15 Poets: Poetry Reading at San Diego Writers Ink, May 20, 2023
Join 15 of San Diego's finest female poets for an evening of inspiration, celebrating the reveal of the new cover for Bethel Swift's "Conversations with Good Men".
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KidsWrite! Short Story Workshop, Online (Zoom)
Sunday March 26, 2023
Join Jen for an online, fun, *free* short story workshop for children and teens! We'll jump right into creating unique and immersive worlds using the theme of: The Day You Begin. Participants will be well on their way to creating a short story to submit to the KidsWrite Children's Writing Contest, with the chance to earn prizes and a free laptop. RSVP to poemseeds@gmail.com
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Short Story Workshop Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5821202643
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December 10, 10:30am - 12:30pm: Cursive, Kindness & Card-making @ Encinitas Library, Encinitas, CA
Join us in the Encinitas Library's Study Room, with its breathtaking ocean views. Jen will teach students of any age cursive handwriting basics (or beyond, depending on where they are at); students will create handcrafted cards to be given to North County hospice patients. This workshop is free of charge and card-making supplies will be provided. All ages are welcomed! Library link for more information:
https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/events/6362f7ff6ee0ff3600ceb380
10/22/22: Poetry Takeover! and K!SDPA Workshop @ Encinitas Library
Join us for a day of creative word-play! KSDPA and The Encinitas Library present a free poetry workshop with Jen Laffler, poet and educator. The theme? Personification. Poems created in the workshop may be published in the 2023 Kids San Diego Poetry Annual.
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Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Save your spot by emailing Jen at poemseeds@gmail.com.
Young Writers: From Inspiration to Publication October 4, 2020! (Online)
Are you a young writer who dreams of getting published? Don't wait! Young Writers: From Inspiration to Publication is a 1.5 hour online class created to launch you on your journey! From that first moment of inspiration, through research and editing, all the way to finding the perfect contest or publication that's looking for work like yours -- we'll cover it all. For more information and to register: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/october-young-writers-jen-laffler/
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Teen writer or poet? Join me for Teen Writers: From Inspiration to Publication. You will be amazed at all the opportunities out there for ambitious writers of all ages.
KidsWrite! Now Until January 5, 2021
Calling young writers, ages 6-18, who live in San Diego County:
KidsWrite! San Diego Children's Writing Contest is now accepting submissions for its 2020/21 theme: What The World Needs Now. No cost to enter. Winners and Finalists receive cash prizes. Please visit the KidsWrite! webpage at www.kidswriteSD.com for more information and to enter. Submissions close Jan. 5, 2021.KidsWrite! is a program of the San Diego Writers Festival, and is partnered with the Coronado Library and Union-Tribune Festival of Books.
Ongoing: Motivated Young Writers, A Resource For You!
New Pages is a useful,credible resource for publishing-minded writers of all ages to find contests and publications. While the information is not always perfectly up-to-date, the reviewers have done an excellent job of filtering out less-reputable contests and publications (the kind that are more about taking your money than helping you grow as a writer)
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Young Writers Guide to Publications Magazines and journals seeking submissions from young writers.
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Young Writers Guide to Contests Contests and competitions seeking submissions from young writers.