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.

RSVP HERE

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.

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. For this month’s open mic, bring your spookiest poems!

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. 

Join us for an evening of poetry!

Hear from poets Nicole Yurcaba, Hillary Gonzalez, Amber Koch, Katia Matychak, Ria Barnhart, and Isabella Newman.

Author, Hillary Gonzalez, returns to Four Seasons Books for the release of their new collection of poetry, Where the Osprey Nest. There will be a poetry open mic before the reading of their new book, and poets are encouraged to bring one-two poems to read.

RSVP HERE.

Join us for the October edition of First Thursday’s Poetry Open Mic at Peabody Heights Brewery, hosted by author and eco-poet, Hillary Gonzalez.

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 ←———

Join author, eco-poet, and activist Hillary Gonzalez for an evening of radical ecopoetry. Hillary will be reading from their new collection

Join author, eco-poet, and activist Hillary Gonzalez for an evening of radical ecopoetry. Hillary will be reading from their new collection of poetry, Where the Osprey Nest, followed by a discussion on the importance of environmentally centered writing in the age of increased climate disasters, and the role eco-poetry can play in inspiring action.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A MASK REQUIRED EVENT

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.

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.

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.

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.

RSVP HERE

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.

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. 

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.

The official book release date!

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. 

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!

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

FREE TICKET LINK

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.

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.

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

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#/