Upcoming events.
Upcoming events.
Baltimore Book Festival Kickoff Event - Poetry Open Mic & Panel
Baltimore Book Festival! We’re back this year with some new faces for the Kickoff Event Poetry Open Mic and Panel!
This year, I am joined by @saysomethingpoet , @poet_km , @retro_tr , @edwardgillespie04 , @synaiathewriter , & @the.trans.panic will be our MC for the evening!
We’ll be reading pieces of our own, with a panel discussion after the readings, then we’ll open the floor to those who would like to sign up for the open mic portion of the evening.
Special thanks to Red Emma’s Books, City Lit Project, and Peabody Heights Brewery for hosting us!
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City's parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). They have been nominated for Baltimore Magazine's Reader's Choice Best Poet of Baltimore (2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, RAGE Zine, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory vol. 1, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, "The Sound of Spring," was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
E. Doyle-Gillespie
E. Doyle-Gillespie is a Baltimore City poet and writer. He holds a BA in History from George Washington University, and a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. His poems are drawn from his world travel, and his work in education, and law enforcement. He served as a Baltimore City police officer for 19 years, working in patrol, operations, intelligence, and instruction. He currently teaches English at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women.
These poems represent his fascination with history and culture, and how those forces play roles in the most intimate parts of our lives. He gathers the raw material of the human condition as he travels the globe, reads, teaches, and learns. His books of poetry include Masala Tea and Oranges, On the Later Addition of Sancho Panza, Socorro Prophecy, Gentrifying the Plague House, Aerial Act, and Father of the Red Grotto Used Bookstore. His most recent title is The Slow Lament of Dying Ice.
He lives in Baltimore, with his wife, a wee bairn, and one rather rotund guinea pig. In his free time he enjoys reading, martial arts, a hearty primal workout, and a proper cup of green tea.
Retro
Jason Jackson commonly known as Retro is a Baltimore Native. His poetry is considered both raw and prolific. He uses poetry to both examine and interrogate unique challenges and complexities that young Black men face in the inner city. He was ranked top five of Baltimore’s grand slam in 2024. He has been featured at open mics around the region, and competed in slams throughout the united states. In March of 2025 Nevermore slam a Baltimore slam team he was a part of placed 3rd in Chicharra regional slam in New Mexico
Katia
Katia Matychak is a Ukrainian and Pennsylvanian poet who now lives in Baltimore. She has been writing poetry for over ten years, while earning her Bachelor and Master of Science in the meantime. Because Katia has a love for both poetry and science, her work is often the result of the combination of the two. She is the author of four poetry collections, her latest being Poems about Death and Transformation. Her work has also been featured in many literary magazines, including Overgrowth Press, reference mollusk, and Pennsylvania Bards. Her Instagram is @poet_km
Kenneth Something
Kenneth Something is a spoken word artist, playwright, organizer and educator. However, he is best described as an “artivist”. Kenneth is a 5x national poetry slam champion. On and off the stage he works at the intersection of art and social Justice. Kenneth Something is the former executive director The Pride Center of Maryland and DewMore Baltimore. He currently serves as the Director of Programming for the Black Arts District and the founder and producer of the most talked about poetry slam series in the country “Charm City Slam.”
Sinai DeVaughn
Synaia is a poet, author, and creative storyteller who is passionate about using words to inspire, encourage, and connect with others. She is the author of the poetry collection Growing Pains, a heartfelt exploration of life’s challenges and personal growth, as well as the children’s coloring book Always Write, which encourages creativity and self-expression. Through her writing, Synaia hopes to inspire readers of all ages to embrace their unique voice, find strength through life’s experiences, and never stop creating.
Baltimore Book Festival Eco-Poetry Festival
An eco-poety panel to inspire action.
As climate change and capitalist extraction continue to reshape our landscapes, declining species and habitat stand as both warning and possibility. This discussion explores how ecopoetry and eco lit fiction and nonfiction can deepen our relationship with the natural world and inspire real-world conservation efforts.
Hillary Gonzalez
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City’s parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). They won Baltimore Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Best Local Poet of Baltimore (2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, RAGE Zine, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory vol. 1, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, “The Sound of Spring,” was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
Joanne Durham
Joanne Durham is an award-winning poet and teacher, author of Chasing Justice (Shanti Arts 2026), To Drink from a Wider Bowl, winner of the Sinclair Poetry Prize (Evening Street Press 2022), and the chapbook, On Shifting Shoals (Kelsay 2023). A multiple Pushcart Prize nominee, over 100 of her poems appear in literary journals and anthologies. Recent awards include the Miriam Chaikin Poetry Prize, the Poetry Society of Louisiana’s Annual Poetry Prize, and finalist for the Lascaux Poetry Prize. Her ecopoetry appears in Cold Mountain Review, Cider Press Review, Feral, Banyan Review, Kakalak, and The Nature of Our Times anthology, among others. She has studied ecopoetry with Martha Silano, Liz Bradfield, and Camille Dungy, and is headed to the first Hellbender Gathering in October 2026. She has taught ecopoetry workshops through the Osher Lifelong Learning Center at UNCW and online through Yellow Arrow Publishing and Maine Media, and co-hosts a monthly poetry event sponsored by the Island Arts Council of Carolina and Kure Beach. Visit her at https://www.joannedurham.com.
J.D. Smith
J.D. Smith has published seven collections of poetry, most recently The Place That Is Coming to Us, and he has received Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. His other books include the fiction collection Transit and the essay collection Dowsing and Science. Smith lives in Washington, DC. Additional information and occasional updates are available at www.jdsmithwriter.com.
Emily Decker
Emily Decker is a Baltimore-based poet, actor, and singer. Her debut chapbook, Homing: Poems, was published in 2025 by Yellow Arrow Publishing. She is a 2026 Pushcart Prize Nominee, and her poems have appeared in Yellow Arrow Journal, Full Bleed, Hole in the Head Review, and Campfire Stories: Chesapeake Bay. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s in teaching secondary English Education from Georgia State University. In addition to writing, Emily enjoys dabbling in the Baltimore theater scene and serves on the leadership team for Manor Mill Playhouse in Monkton, MD. Her other loves include sailing and exploring the nature of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. You can find Emily online at emilydeckerpoetry.com and on Instagram @emadeck.
Patapsco Literary Festival Open Mic
Hello Poet! You're invited to participate in the Patapsco Literary Festival Open Mic, hosted by poets and authors Katia Matychak and Hillary Gonzalez. The open mic is from 2-3pm at The Market at Caplans stage. Every poet will have the opportunity to share one poem. Please sign up ahead of time, so we can ensure your spot to read.
Sign up on the Google Form Here ←———
Cooper Library Reading With the Virginia Osprey Foundation
Join author and eco-poet, Hillary Gonzalez, who will be reading from their new collection of poetry, Where the Osprey Nest. Hillary will be joined by conversation partner, Joanie Millward from the Virginia Osprey Foundation.
Where the Osprey Nest Book Reading With Wild Birds Unlimited
Join author and eco-poet Hillary Gonzalez, who will be reading from their new book, Where the Osprey Nest, published by Palewell Press, and will be joined in conversation with Wild Birds Unlimited.
Learn about what’s affecting East Coast and Chesapeake Bay ospreys, and how we can help.
Where the Osprey Nest Book Description:
A call to save the Chesapeake Bay's beloved sea hawks. Where the Osprey Nest is a poetic love letter to the natural world–and a rallying cry for its defense. Rooted in the principles of climate justice, this collection draws attention to the vanishing habitats of species like the osprey, whose populations along the Chesapeake Bay are in alarming decline. Gonzalez, a queer and AuDHD birder, writes with aching tenderness and sharp clarity about what we lose when we allow our ecosystems to collapse. Composed entirely outdoors–in forests, marshes, and along shorelines–the poems evoke deep kinship with wild spaces and the creatures who call them home. From meditations on ospreys and herons to reflections on grief, healing, and interdependence, Where the Osprey Nest asks readers to listen, to remember, and to act. These poems remind us that we are not separate from nature–we are nature, and if we are to survive, we must rise in defense of the living world.
Afterlight Poetry Open Mic
Join us between the stacks of Dreamers & Make Believers Books as the sun sets, where your poetry becomes the light in the dark. This is a space to speak your truth–setting words alight.
This is a space for writers, artists, and poets. If you have a piece, whether poetry or prose, we want to hear you. Whether you’re raising your voice and stepping to the mic for the first time, or are an experienced veteran of verse, we welcome you to Afterlight! Verse poets, spoken word poets, slam poets–all are welcome.
This poetry after hours open mic, is led by Baltimore City eco-poet, activist, and author, Hillary Gonzalez, and hosted by the fine folks at Dreamers & Make Believers Books.
Where the Osprey Nest Book Launch Party
Join author and eco-poet, Hillary Gonzalez, for the release of their new collection of eco-poetry from Palewell Press, Where the Osprey Nest - featuring special guests: poet and sailor Emily Decker, Ecologist Kelsey Jennings, and a representative from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
Where the Osprey Nest is a poetic love letter to the natural world–and a rallying cry for its defense. Rooted in the principles of climate justice, this collection draws attention to the vanishing habitats of species like the osprey, whose populations along the Chesapeake Bay are in alarming decline. Gonzalez, a queer and AuDHD birder, writes with aching tenderness and sharp clarity about what we lose when we allow our ecosystems to collapse. Composed entirely outdoors–in forests, marshes, and along shorelines–the poems evoke deep kinship with wild spaces and the creatures who call them home. From meditations on ospreys and herons to reflections on grief, healing, and interdependence, Where the Osprey Nest asks readers to listen, to remember, and to act. These poems remind us that we are not separate from nature–we are nature, and if we are to survive, we must rise in defense of the living world.
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City's parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). They have been nominated for Baltimore Magazine's Reader's Choice Best Poet of Baltimore (2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, RAGE Zine, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory vol. 1, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, "The Sound of Spring," was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
Emily Decker is a Baltimore-based poet, actor, and singer. Her debut chapbook, Homing: Poems, was published in 2025 by Yellow Arrow Publishing. She is a 2026 Pushcart Prize Nominee, and her poems have appeared in Yellow Arrow Journal, Full Bleed, Hole in the Head Review, and Campfire Stories: Chesapeake Bay. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a master's in teaching secondary English Education from Georgia State University. In addition to writing, Emily enjoys dabbling in the Baltimore theater scene and serves on the leadership team for Manor Mill Playhouse in Monkton, MD. Her other loves include sailing and exploring the nature of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. You can find Emily online at emilydeckerpoetry.com and on Instagram @emadeck.
Kelsey Jennings (they/she) is a PhD student studying the human aspects of wildlife conservation. She has worked with local, state, and national organizations on many issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor recreation; equitable participatory science; support for state fish and wildlife agencies; and private lands conservation for birds. Kelsey holds a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech. She has worked as an environmental educator, bird trainer, and outreach specialist to increase access to conservation and outdoor recreation for all. Their debut non-fiction feature, Inclusive Nature, will be published in Fall 2026 with Johns Hopkins University Press. When not behind a computer, Kelsey is an avid birder in and out of Baltimore, vegan foodie, and 90s/early aughts TV enthusiast. Find her across platforms @conservationkels.
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay brings together communities, companies, and conservationists to improve our lands and waters.
With offices in Annapolis, MD, Lancaster, PA, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, VA, the Alliance implements local programs that connect people to their local rivers and streams.
Instagram Live With the Virginia Osprey Foundation
Join me and Joanie Millward from the Virginia Osprey Foundation on Instagram Live. We’ll be talking about ospreys, my book, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Afterlight Poetry Open Mic
This month, the host for Afterlight will be Baltimore poet, Gabriel Carter.
Join us between the stacks of Dreamers & Make Believers as the sun sets, where your poetry becomes the light in the dark. This is a space to speak your truth–setting words alight.
This is a space for writers, artists, and poets. If you have a piece, whether poetry or prose, we want to hear you. Whether you’re raising your voice and stepping to the mic for the first time, or are an experienced veteran of verse, we welcome you to Afterlight! Verse poets, spoken word poets, slam poets–all are welcome.
This poetry after hours open mic, is led by Baltimore City eco-poet, activist, and author, Hillary Gonzalez, and hosted by the fine folks at Dreamers & Make Believers Books.
Author Signing at Bethany Beach Books
Surprise! I’ll be at Bethany Beach Books on the evening of July 14th signing copies of my new poetry collection, Wild, Unfelt World.
Many of the poems from my book were written in the marshes of Bethany Beach and the Delaware Coast, so this book event means a great deal to me. I hope I’ll see you there!
First Thursday’s Open Mic at Peabody Heights Brewery
Every First Thursday, join us in the Peabody Heights Brewery courtyard for a monthly poetry open mic, hosted by yours truly!
I can’t wait to hear your pieces!
3rd Annual Local Author Bazaar
Join us outside People's Book for our third annual Local Author Bazaar! Authors will be available from 10am-2pm to chat about their newest publication, sign, and sell their books. Let's show up for this great line-up of DMV authors! Bios below.
Seble Lemma Dessalegne is the author of Bond Beyond Borders, inspired by her experiences living and working across multiple cultures. Through her work, she helps people better understand cultural differences, build stronger relationships, and feel more confident navigating diverse and international environments.
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer, whose work explores themes of nature, identity, and healing. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City's parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by open_in_newBi+ Book Gang, open_in_newYellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: open_in_newUnderstory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, open_in_newIn Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, "The Sounds of Spring," was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
Chris Pickett is the founder and former leader of Indivisible Montgomery, a grassroots activist organization located in Montgomery County, Maryland. He is an activist working in science policy and is an avid runner. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and two daughters.
Teaching ESL and writing, Ruth Ticktin encourages sharing stories. She’s an author: Around & Around Poetry Chapbook (Bottlecap Press 2024;) Was Am Going, Recollections—Poetry & Flash (NewBayBooks 2022;) co-editor: Psalm Contemplation, 2020; co-author: What's Ahead? (ProLingua Learning 2013;) and more— open_in_newhttps://rticktindc.wixsite.com/ruth
Dominick Rabrun is a Haitian-American author and voice actor. His first book, Vèvè-Punk: Birth of the Dream, is a collection of Afrofuturist short stories set in a world where Haiti is a dominant political superpower. In this universe, spirits have replaced corporations, death is currency, and the afterlife itself has become a corrupted, tech-fueled machine.
Sill is a SFF author from Severna Park, a genderqueer parent, suburban chicken farmer. Their stories often come from vivid dreams with fight scenes and recurring characters. Expect complex characters, witty prose, trauma informed dark themes and cozy queer-normative found family in the middle. Their work geeks out into neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and mycology.
L.M. Sypher is an author, artist, and research historian from Alexandria, Virginia. They write on themes of mythological adventure, and can be found sampling every coffee shop within a 20-mile radius.
Libertroph is a collection of art and stories about white anti-racist organizing efforts past and present. It is a reckoning with what white culture is and what exists beyond it. And it is an invitation for more white people to take up the life-giving work of anti-racist organizing.
Birch Tree Books Presents: Poetry Reading & Discussion With Author Hillary Gonzalez
https://events.humanitix.com/author-event-eco-poet-hillary-gonzalez-wild-unfelt-world
Join us for ecopoetry and terrarium-building with poet Hillary Gonzalez on Saturday, June 13th as she launches her new poetry collection Wild, Unfelt World.
The fun starts at 6:15 with a mini glass animal terrarium class, and followed with nature poetry reading and discussion.
About the Collection
When was the last time you allowed yourself to listen to birdsong? Sat with it in your heart, and truly took it in? In this dazzling and stirring collection of eco-poetry, written by Hillary Gonzalez, Wild, Unfelt World bridges the connection between the physical and spiritual, urging readers to reconnect with the natural world, and begging the question: why haven't you listened to birds lately? Written by an autistic, queer, and disabled birder, this collection of poems is rooted with the changing seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, and the heartbeat of the world around us.
Written during bird walks in the early morning hours, Gonzalez invites the reader to come on a journey with them. Smell the salt of the marshes, feel the roughness of tree bark beneath your hands, and listen to the call of the owl as evening nears. Exploring themes of conservation, neurodivergence, spirituality, and a deep love for the environment, the reader will be transported with Gonzalez. Each carefully crafted poem serves as not only a meditative reflection, but a rallying cry to celebrate our ecosystems and confront the urgent need to protect them.
Wild, Unfelt World combines lyrical language with vivid imagery, to inspire the reader to, as Mary Oliver would say, "find your place in the family of things."
Whether you're a lifelong lover of poetry, conservation, birding, or are discovering your love for the first time, Wild, Unfelt World will help you find your place. It's been waiting for you here all along.
About the Poet
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City's parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, "The Sounds of Spring," was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
June - Afterlight Poetry Open Mic
Afterlight Poetry Open Mic is back on 06.09 at Dreamers & Make Believers Books in Highlandtown, Baltimore!
Bring your poems to read, or show up to hang out!
Artwork by the incredibly talented, Adelaide Ritter (@adelaideritter)
Join us between the stacks of Dreamers & Make Believers as the sun sets, where your poetry becomes the light in the dark. This is a space to speak your truth–setting words alight.
This is a space for writers, artists, and poets. If you have a piece, whether poetry or prose, we want to hear you. Whether you’re raising your voice and stepping to the mic for the first time, or are an experienced veteran of verse, we welcome you to Afterlight! Verse poets, spoken word poets, slam poets–all are welcome.
This poetry after hours open mic, is led by Baltimore City eco-poet, activist, and author, Hillary Gonzalez, and hosted by the fine folks at Dreamers & Make Believers Books.
Author Signing With Browseabout Books
My book tour continues in June! I hope you’ll join me for a book signing at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!
I absolutely love this bookstore, and am so excited to meet new readers!
First Thursday's Poetry Open Mic
Introducing First Thursday’s at Peabody Heights Brewery! Join us every first Thursday! I’m so excited to be hosting this new poetry open mic, and hope to see you there!
Author Signing With Clint Bowman & Hillary Gonzalez
Join authors Hillary Gonzalez and Clint Bowman for a signing at Sassafras on Sutton, in Black Mountain, NC.
Clint Bowman is a writer from Black Mountain, NC. His debut collection of poetry, “If Lost” was published in 2024 by Loblolly Press. More of Clint's work has appeared in Poetry South, Louisiana Literature, The Indianapolis Review, O. Henry Magazine, and elsewhere.
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer. They are the Vice President of the Baltimore City nonprofit, Sacred Parks and Waterways–an organization dedicated to preserving Baltimore City's parks and watershed for future generations, and the authors of Seasons (2025), and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press, and their visual poem, "The Sounds of Spring," was accepted by The Maryland Film Festival (2026), in their Vertical Shorts category.
Rooted & Rising Open Mic with Micki Topham
Join author and activist, Hillary Gonzalez, and spoken word poet Micki Topham, for an evening of queer joy and poetry. Bring your poems on climate justice, queer resistance, & envisioning a better future.
Hillary will be reading from their new collection of poetry, Wild, Unfelt World.
RSVP to reserve your spot! Sign-ups begin at 6:15pm
Sign up online by filling out the Google Form here.
Workshop: From Field Notes to First Drafts - Writing Poetry in the Wild
Reserve your spot HERE
Learn how to turn your field notes into a first-draft ecopoem, with author and eco-poet, Hillary Gonzalez.
From Field Notes to First Drafts: Writing Poetry in the Wild
An in-person interactive poetry writing workshop, where participants will learn how to translate their observations in the field, to first-draft poems.
Course | In Person
Course Information
Date & Time: April 28th, 11:00 AM
Duration: 2.5 hours
Skill Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Price:
Standard Fee: $50 per participant
Abundance Tier: $60 Higher fee includes pay-it-forward option for another participant & supporting the artist. For those with financial stability who want to support others’ access to the workshop. Helps cover community access and artist labor.
Sustainer Tier: $40 covers the cost of the workshop only.
Supported Tier: $15, for students, disabled folks, or anyone with limited income.
Community Scholarship: a few fully supported spots available upon request–limited availability.
Course Description:
This regenerative and reflective workshop is designed for poets, birders, nature lovers, and writers of all levels who are interested in crafting poetry grounded in the natural world. Participants will learn to engage with their environment through sensory awareness and guided field notes, then transform their observations into compelling poetic drafts. The workshop draws on Hillary Gonzalez’s process of writing Wild, Unfelt World–a collection written entirely outdoors while birding across forests, marshes, and meadows.
Set in a natural environment, this workshop invites writers of all levels to slow down, pay attention, and gather sensory details directly from the landscape. No prior experience with poetry or birding is required.
The class begins with a brief introduction to ecopoetry, exploring how contemporary poets engage with place, ecology, and environmental awareness. Participants will learn practical techniques for taking field notes with the specific intention of later shaping them into poems: focusing on sound, texture, movement, light, and emotional response.
Through guided observation, structured writing prompts, and quiet reflection time, participants will begin crafting their field notes into first-draft poems on-site. The workshop emphasizes presence, curiosity, and attentiveness rather than perfection.
The session concludes with optional sharing and group discussion, allowing participants to reflect on the creative process and the relationship between noticing and writing.
Participants Will Learn:
What ecopoetry is and how it connects writing to place
How to take effective field notes for poetry
Techniques for translating sensory detail into vivid imagery
How to move from observation to first draft
Ways to cultivate attention and creative presence in nature
Strategies for continuing a personal nature-writing practice
This workshop encourages participants to see the natural world not only as subject matter, but as collaborator and kin, reminding us that poetry often begins with listening.
Nature Is a Movement - Park & People Arbor Day Poetry
https://www.parksandpeople.org/events/nature-poetry-open-mic
Nature is a movement/Water is a force: Poetry to reckon with
on nature, wonder, and our environment
Hosted by Gabriel David Carter & Hillary Gonzalez
@ Parks & People
2100 Liberty Heights Avenue
Inside the Stone House
Charm City Books Presents: Author Talk with Hillary Gonzalez, in Conversation with Natasha Montgomery
Join author Hillary Gonzalez and Natasha Montgomery at Charm City Books
Earth Day Liberation Reading & Open Mic
Join us for an Earth Liberation Reading & Open Mic featuring eco-poet and activist Hillary Gonzalez, author of Wild, Unfelt World, a luminous collection of eco-poetry rooted in birdsong, seasons, and radical attention to the living world.
The evening will begin with an open mic, inviting attendees to share original poetry or prose centered on climate justice, environmental grief, resistance, healing, and love for the natural world. Pieces may be polished or in-progress. All voices are welcome.
Following the open mic, Gonzalez will read from Wild, Unfelt World and join us for a conversation and audience Q&A. Written during early-morning bird walks, the collection is shaped by forests, marshes, and mountains, inviting readers to slow down, notice, and reconnect. To smell salt marshes, feel bark beneath their hands, and listen as owls call the evening in.
A queer, genderfluid, and AuDHD poet who grew up on a farm in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Gonzalez writes at the intersection of neurodivergence, queerness, disability, spirituality, and environmental advocacy. Their work asks a simple but urgent question: why have we stopped listening?
RSVP and sign up for the Open Mic here: https://www.fourseasonsbooks.com/gonzalez.html#/
Snug Books Evening of Poetry & Open Mic with Special Guest E. Doyle Gillespie
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/snug-books-presents-an-evening-with-poets-open-mic-book-readings-tickets-1984392967785?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join Baltimore based poets, E. Doyle Gillespie and Hillary Gonzalez. Both Gonzalez and Gillespie will be reading from their new collections.
Bring a poems to read with you for the Open Mic portion of the evening!
Event timing:
6:15 - arrival & signup for the Open Mic
6:30 - Open Mic begins
7:00pm - Readings with Hillary Gonzalez & E. Doyle Gillespie
Wonder As Resistance - Open Mic & Poetry Reading with Hillary Gonzalez
Bring a poem about how paying attention to this beautiful and fragile world we belong to might be what we need to save it.
Wild, Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing), a spiritual collection of ecopoetry, rooted in the landscape of the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula, is an urgent plea to reconnect with this beautiful world we call home, resist the greed of capitalism that's destroying it, and a lesson on how to see the world with new eyes for a better tomorrow. Red Emma's spirit of resistance in this capitalist society we find ourselves in, would be the perfect setting for my book.
Hillary Gonzalez (she/they) is a queer, genderfluid, and AuDHD ecopoet and activist, whose work explores themes of identity and healing. Writing from the unique perspective of a birder, Hillary's poetry draws deeply from personal experiences in forests, marshes, and mountains–weaving together reflections on the natural world with a call to protect it. Growing up on a farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, it was there where Hillary’s love of nature was kindled. They are the author of the poetry collections, Seasons, Wild, Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press). Their poems have been published by South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in the following anthologies: Bi All Accounts (Bi+ Book Gang) , Unfurl (Yellow Arrow Publishing), In Praise of Despair (Beyond the Veil Press), The Body Archive (Cosmic Daffodil Journal), and Understory (Loblolly Press), a fundraising zine to benefit the victims of Hurricane Helene. Hillary lives in Baltimore, MD, with their husband and dog Wilbur, where they continue to connect with readers on the intersections of neurodivergence, queerness, disability, and environmental advocacy.
@hillarygonzalezpoetry (Instagram and Threads) www.facebook.com/hillarygonzalezpoetry
Afterlight Poetry Open Mic
New Poetry Open Mic Alert!
Join us between the stacks of Dreamers & Make Believers as the sun sets, where your poetry becomes the light in the dark. This is a space to speak your truth–setting words alight.
This once monthly open mic is for writers, artists, and poets. If you have a piece, whether poetry or prose, we want to hear you. Whether you’re raising your voice and stepping to the mic for the first time, or are an experienced veteran of verse, we welcome you to Afterlight! Verse poets, spoken word poets, slam poets–all are welcome.
This poetry after hours open mic, is led by Baltimore City eco-poet, activist, and author, Hillary Gonzalez.
Artwork by the incredible Adelaide Ritter.
Hot L Poetry Series
Sunday April 12, 2026 at 4pm, The HOT L Poets Series continues at The Ivy Bookshop (Baltimore) with poets John Wall Barger & Hillary Gonzalez! The reading includes an open mic so bring a poem (1 poem, 3 min. or less). Now in our 8th year, the reading series is sponsored by Baltimore Poets Theatre and Smartish Pace. Hosts: Clare Banks, David Yezzi and Stephen Reichert.
John Wall Barger was born in New York City and grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He’s the author of six books of poems and one book of essays. His new poetry collection, Resurrection Pie, just came out with LSU Press. He is a contract editor with Frontenac House, lives in Vermont, and teaches at Dartmouth College.
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, whose work explores themes of eco-poetry, identity, and healing. They are the authors of Seasons, and the eco-poetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (2026 Gnashing Teeth Publishing), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press 2026). Their poems have been published by South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, and In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press.
VA Osprey Festival
Join me at the Virginia Osprey Festival, April 11th from 9am-4pm. I will be vending, and will have copies of Wild, Unfelt World on hand for purchase.
https://www.virginiaospreyfoundation.org/2026-festival
More about the festival & guests:
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Richard (Rob) Bierregaard
Dr. Richard (Rob) Bierregaard is a research associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia and president of the Raptor Research Foundation.
From 1979 to 1988, working for the World Wildlife Fund and the Smithsonian Institution, he directed—in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon—the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, which has been described as the largest and most ambitious ecological experiment ever undertaken.
Upon his repatriation in the late 80s, he taught in the Biology Department of UNC-Charlotte and returned his studies to his true passion—birds of prey.
His work over the past three decades has focused on Barred Owls in Charlotte, NC, and Ospreys in northeastern North America. In 2014 he was the lead author on a paper chronicling the post-DDT return of the Osprey population in southern New England. From 2000 to 2017, Rob and his colleagues deployed satellite transmitters on 108 Ospreys, from South Carolina to Newfoundland. The data from 67 juvenile Ospreys, tracking their first migration to South America and back, have provided startling insights into how naïve Ospreys discover the migration route taken by virtually all adults.
In 2018 he published his first children’s book, Belle’s Journey, a narrative non-fiction account of a young Osprey’s first migration to southern Brazil and back again. Belle’s Journey received one of two Honorable Mentions in the 2018 National Outdoor Book Awards' Children's Division, was placed on the National Science Teachers' Association list of outstanding trade books for 2019, and was listed in the University of Wisconsin's Cooperative Children's Book Center's Choices 2019.
Dr. Ann-Marie Jacoby
The Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project (pcdolphinproject.org) is a nonprofit research organization based out of Georgetown University with the mission to better understand and protect the Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
Dr. Ann-Marie Jacoby is the associate director of the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project and a postdoctoral associate at Georgetown University. Her research focuses on reconstructing the historical occurrence of dolphins in Potomac River and establishing a baseline of their current occurrence in the region using interdisciplinary approaches.
Will Poston
Will Poston is a lifelong fisherman, hunter, and conservationist, who has leveraged these passions for a career in conservation and fisheries policy. He currently works for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as its Forage Campaign Manager, primarily working on menhaden issues in the Bay. In this role, Will serves as CBF's point contact on menhaden, coordinating the organization's advocacy, policy, and education efforts around this critical forage fish.
Will's background as an avid outdoorsman and experience in fisheries management assists his work to build a broader group of effective and passionate advocates to promote much-needed menhaden conservation and awareness here in Virginia. Will can be reached at wposton@cbf.org.
Romaric (Remy) Moncrieffe
Policy Manager, Marine Conservation
Romaric (Remy) Moncrieffe is the Marine Conservation Policy Manager for the National Audubon Society. His focus is on promoting a healthy marine ecosystem, particularly fishing regulations, wetland and estuary protection, and the expansion and creation of marine national sanctuaries and marine protected areas. Remy is located near Washington, D.C., and works to engage the Audubon network in ocean conservation.
Prior to joining Audubon, Remy studied fisheries policy and aquaculture in the European Union. There, he led research on microplastics and their effect on bivalves. Remy has a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University and a joint M.S. in Aquaculture and Fisheries Policy from the University of Nantes, University of Crete, and Scottish Association for Marine Science.
Wild, Unfelt World Launch Book Party
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wild-unfelt-world-book-launch-party-poetry-reading-tickets-1984248964066?aff=oddtdtcreator
In partnership with Urban Reads Bookstore, join author Hillary Gonzalez, for the launch of their new collection of eco-poetry, Wild, Unfelt World.
Hillary will be joined by local Baltimore and DMV poets, Retro, Katia Matychak, Ted Eccleston, Micki Topham, Gabriel Carter, and hosted by Keith Pinkston II. This is a true evening of revolutionary poetry. In the spirit of eco revolution, each poet will read a piece of their own, before we hear the poems from Wild, Unfelt World, followed by a panel discussion. Signed copies of Wild, Unfelt World will be available for purchase.
Hillary Gonzalez (they/she) is a Baltimore based queer, disabled, and AuDHD poet, activist, birder and wildlife photographer, whose work explores themes of nature, identity, and healing. They are the authors of Seasons, and the ecopoetry collections, Wild Unfelt World (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, April 2026), and Where the Osprey Nest (Palewell Press, August 2026). Their poems have been published in numerous publications, including South Broadway Press, Canid Press, and in anthologies by Bi+ Book Gang, Yellow Arrow Publishing, Loblolly Press’ anthology: Understory, a fundraising anthology for the victims of Hurricane Helene, The Body Archive by Cosmic Daffodil Journal, and In Praise of Despair, an anthology for disabled artists and writers by Beyond the Veil Press.
Jason Jackson commonly known as “Retro” is a Baltimore Native. His poetry is considered both raw and prolific. He uses poetry to both examine and interrogate unique challenges and complexities that young Black men face in the inner city. He was ranked top five of Baltimore’s grand slam in 2024. He has been featured at open mics around the region, and competed in slams throughout the united states. In March of 2025 Nevermore slam a Baltimore slam team he was a part of placed 3rd in Chicharra regional slam in New Mexico.
Katia Matychak (she/they) is a Baltimore-based poet, inspired by her Ukrainian and Appalachian upbringing. She is the author of 4 poetry collections, including her latest, Poems about Death and Transformation. Her work has been featured in many literary collections, such as Overgrowth Press, reference mollusk, and Pennsylvania's Best Emerging Poets. Being a neuroscientist, she explores the aesthetics of the human body and how we react to the world, from molecule to measure.
Gabriel David Carter is a Baltimore writer tracing grief and grace through worlds seen and felt. He writes about big feelings and the natural world, moving as both witness and wanderer. His work is featured in Reverie Literary Magazine, Campfire Three of the Campfire Poets Anthologies, and the Baltimore Tree Trust's Canopy Literary Magazine.
Micki Topham (she/her) is a spoken word artist and poet. She has participated in countless poetry events, slams, and competitions, and has taught poetry workshops and performed across the nation, including featuring at an official 2025 World Pride poetry reading. Her poetry has been published in the Mid-Atlantic Review. She was a finalist in the 2025 DC Poet Project and is now an assistant editor with The Mid-Atlantic Review. You can find her most weeks passionately snapping for the incredible poets and performers across the DMV.
Keith Pinkston II is a designer, storyteller, and mentor with 10+ years of experience shaping brands and visual narratives. As he continues stepping into teaching, he’s driven by a passion for creativity, connection, and expression. With a sharp eye and an engaging presence, Keith is excited to guide tonight’s conversation and celebrate the power of poetry.
Ted is a person, husband, father, friend and poet living in Baltimore City. His poetry spans ten years trying to build relationships with the creatures and beings living in city neighborhoods. Ted turns to the page to share the lessons that the creek, the winged ones, and the blossoms share with him, inspiring readers to remember our intimacy with the living, breathing world. Ted's writing was first published in Baltimore Tree Trust’s Canopy Lit Magazine. You can often find him in Stony Run, lightly crossing the creek or perched up on a boulder with his gaze toward the sky. To read more of his work you can go to: tedinbaltimore.substack.com
Seeds of Resistance: A Poetry Open Mic for Stony Run and the Remington Ave Trees
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seeds-of-resistance-poetry-open-mic-tickets-1983988538125?aff=oddtdtcreator
A poetry open mic in honor of Stony Run Park and the Remington Ave trees. Join host Hillary Gonzalez, of Sacred Parks and Waterways, and Crow’s Nest Baltimore, for an evening of poetry on climate justice, the Baltimore City parks we love, trees, and the harms of AI.
Each poet will have 5 minutes to perform. This is a free event, but space is limited, so be sure to RSVP!
The Poetry of Noticing Online Writing Wokshop
The Poetry of Noticing is a gentle, accessible poetry workshop that teaches participants how to transform attention into language. Designed for writers and non-writers alike, this class invites participants to slow down and rediscover creativity through observation of the natural world.
Through guided video footage and curated nature soundscapes of birds, water, wind, and seasonal environments, participants will practice mindful noticing even from inside their homes. The workshop demonstrates that meaningful connection to nature does not require wilderness or prior knowledge of poetry. It begins with paying attention.
Participants will learn how poets gather sensory details, record field notes, and shape those observations into a first draft poem. Short writing prompts and reflective exercises will help students translate sight, sound, memory, and emotion into language. The focus is not on critique or perfection, but on presence, curiosity, and wonder.
By the end of the session, participants will:
Understand the concept of “noticing” as a creative practice
Learn simple techniques for collecting sensory details
Write at least one original poem draft
Develop tools they can continue using independently
The workshop is suitable for beginners, experienced writers, educators, nature lovers, and anyone feeling creatively stuck or overwhelmed. It is particularly supportive for participants who may find traditional workshop environments intimidating.
The Poetry of Noticing emphasizes that attention itself can be restorative, and that writing can become a way of reconnecting with both the natural world and one’s inner life.
Local Author Fair - March '26
Come to our Boozy Local Author Fair and meet an amazing group of local authors! This is an opportunity to learn about incredible new books directly from the authors themselves. That means you can get them signed, personalized, and ask any questions you may have! All while enjoying great food and drinks from Cushwa & Rad Pies Taproom. We can't wait to see you there!
