The idea is to write it so that people hear it, and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.
MAYA ANGELOU
2026 EVENTS
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
- Saturday, May 30, 6:45-8:45pm (sign up at 6:30pm)Open Mic Poetry at Endless Sound Cellars, 222 Capitol Way N., #107, Olympia
- Tuesday, June 2, 2026: "MoonWolf' Zoom Party for OPN subscribers, celebrating MoonPath Press and Concrete Wolf press with poems that use the words "moon" or "wolf" in them. Reading by ten authors who have been published by these presses, plus an open mic for folks who use one or both of those words in a poem. The Zoom link will be sent to our membership prior to the meeting.
–– Words, Woods and Wellness ––
a contest for poets 21 years old and younger
a contest for poets 21 years old and younger
The Olympia Poetry Network in memory of former board member Wesley Jones, in collaboration with the Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield, Terrain.org, the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), and Humanities Washington, is pleased to announce Words, Woods, and Wellness: Poetry by Washington State Youth--a new call for submissions.
We are seeking poems that engage the natural world by residents or former residents of Washington State ages 21 and younger. Here in the age of the Anthropocene, we must give our attention to the non-human world, and so we will publish ecopoetry with a strong sense of place by Washington youth.
Submissions opened on Earth Day, April 22, 2026, and close December 31, 2026. Poems will be published on the Terrain.org website between August 2026 and April 2027, with the goal of publishing a new poem or poetry set in the series at least monthly and at most every other week. Contributors will receive an honorarium of $100 following publication.
Submitted poems need not follow any particular form. Poem/image combinations are also considered. Washington State youth are invited to submit between 1 and 3 poems.
Learn more at www.terrain.org/submit/words-woods-wellness or submit on Terrain.org’s Submittable platform.
We are seeking poems that engage the natural world by residents or former residents of Washington State ages 21 and younger. Here in the age of the Anthropocene, we must give our attention to the non-human world, and so we will publish ecopoetry with a strong sense of place by Washington youth.
Submissions opened on Earth Day, April 22, 2026, and close December 31, 2026. Poems will be published on the Terrain.org website between August 2026 and April 2027, with the goal of publishing a new poem or poetry set in the series at least monthly and at most every other week. Contributors will receive an honorarium of $100 following publication.
Submitted poems need not follow any particular form. Poem/image combinations are also considered. Washington State youth are invited to submit between 1 and 3 poems.
Learn more at www.terrain.org/submit/words-woods-wellness or submit on Terrain.org’s Submittable platform.
PURCHASE A COPY OF THE 2025 OPN ANTHOLOGY
'LET IT BURN, LET IT FLOAT'
$18.99
Available at Orca Books Co-op, 315 5th Ave. SE, Olympia,
Endless Sound Cellars, 22 Capitol Way N, Ste 107, Olympia,
or at our regularly scheduled meetings (3rd Wed. of the month at 6:00pm)
held at New Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia.
'LET IT BURN, LET IT FLOAT'
$18.99
Available at Orca Books Co-op, 315 5th Ave. SE, Olympia,
Endless Sound Cellars, 22 Capitol Way N, Ste 107, Olympia,
or at our regularly scheduled meetings (3rd Wed. of the month at 6:00pm)
held at New Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia.
Monthly Readings
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OPN holds monthly readings at 6:00 pm on the third Wednesday of every month at Traditions, the Gathering Place located in downtown Olympia, 300 5th Ave. SW, at corner of 5th and Water Street. All readers are asked to limit their readings to 3 minutes. Sign ups start at 5:30pm, and Open mic starts at 6:00. After the open mic and a short intermission, a featured poet reads most months for 30-40 minutes. Check our flyers or events page for specific program information.
If you'd like to become a subscriber, and receive our monthly newsletter and other announcements, visit our Join OPN page. |
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Scheduled Special Events
A P R I L
During the month of April (National Poetry Month) we feature the work of "Dead Poets" read by our members. |
A U G U S T
August is All-Open-Mic month, devoting the entire meeting to anyone who cares to read. Come participate! |
D E C E M B E R
December readings are "Poems of the Season," a non-denominational celebration of this special time of year. |