It’s my favorite time of the year: the -ber months! And with school back in full swing, the university coming back to life, and cool weather (kinda sorta) starting to settle in, it’s a great time to enjoy reading and writing! Check out all this great stuff we’ve got going on!
EVENTS
Wednesday, September 3rd (and every Wednesday after), 5-7 PM, in KUC 318 on the MTSU Campus: Raiders Write
MTSU is back in session, which means Raiders Write is happening again for the fall 2025 semester! If you are an MTSU student looking for other writers to hang out with, come check it out! Click the image above to join the Discord and get more info!
Thursday, September 4th, 4-4:30 PM, at the Sam Ingram Building at MTSU (2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd): In Process Kickoff with Ciona Rouse
In Process is an excellent, FREE, open-to-the-public series of events hosted by the MTSU English Department. There are lectures, readings, panels, open mics, etc by all kinds of writers from all different genres. It’s truly a great experience, and this is the first one of the semester with the lovely Ciona Rouse! If I can get a babysitter, you know Imma be there!
Saturday, September 6th, 10 AM-2 PM, at Linebaugh Library (105 W Vine St., Murfreesboro): Author Event with Christine Polythress
Come out to meet local author Christine Polythress, who will be selling and signing copies of her book Dharma’s Dance. More information here.
Saturday, September 6th, 7-10 PM, on TikTok: Moving Fundraiser for The Spine Bookshop
It’s happening! Smyrna’s favorite book shop, The Spine, is moving to a bigger location, and you can help! You can enjoy this live fundraiser from the comfort of your home! Click the image above to be taken to The Spine’s TikTok page and check out the GoFundMe for the move here.
Thursday, September 11th, 4:30-5:45 PM, at the Sam Ingram building at MTSU: In Process, featuring Terry Engel
For the second installment of In Process, Dr. Jennifer Wachtel Kates will be hosting fiction writer Terry Engel. A Mississippi native, Terry Engel has worked in particleboard mills and wood preservative treatment plants and as a lineman building high-voltage powerlines. He earned a Ph.D. in writing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his work has appeared in The Sun, Mississippi Review, Georgetown Review, Open City, Buffalo Spree, Cream City Review, Dreamers Literary Magazine, Cave Region Review, prose.onl, and River River Journal. Engel’s first novel, Natchez at Sunset, was published in 2021. His second novel, Artifacts, won the Wolfson Press Prose Prize and will be published in 2026. Engel teaches creative writing at Harding University. Stay posted on any changes here.
Thursday, September 11th, 7-9PM, at The Walnut House (116 N Walnut St. in Murfreesboro): The Bloom Stage Presents “Savor”
If you have not been to a Bloom Stage event yet, what even are you doing? After you finish hearing Terry Engel at MTSU, go get something to eat downtown, then come to the Walnut House for a night of music, art, storytelling, and creativity. This particular show expands to include Friendly City Books of Columbus, MS, inspired by their anthology from which the show borrows its name: Savor: Poems for the Tongue. Select poets from the anthology will share their work, and Friendly City Books will be on hand with copies available for purchase. Our line up also includes Zoe Bacurin, Amy Hubbard, Laura Schlesinger, Dr. Luke Anderson in conversation with artist Mitchell White, live art by Gregory Lannom, music by Carter Elliot, and more! Find out more information here.
Friday, September 12th, all day: Reading in the Schools Day
Read to Succeed will be having volunteers visit schools all over the county to, you guessed it, read! If you’re interested in volunteering either by being a reader or by helping to prepare materials for the event, go to this link or email Andrea at mediaevents@readtosucceed.org. Click the image above for more details!
Sunday, September 14th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl (2412 E Main St. in Murfreesboro): Writers’ Mingle with Sara Minges
Every month, a bunch of us writers get together to chat, play games, write, and listen to a featured writer share for a few minutes about … well, anything having to do with writing! This month, we’ll be hosted by Sara Minges, aka Wonder Woman Rising. She’ll be speaking to us about the power of writing for mental health, in thinking about Suicide Prevention Month this September. It should be a great time! Stay up to date on the Poetry in the Boro website.
Tuesday, September 16th, 5-8 PM, at Jim and Nick’s (523 Sam Ridley Pkwy, in Smyrna): Friends of Smyrna Library Spirit Night
Like barbecue? And books? Then why not come eat some barbecue at Jim and Nick’s and support Friends of Smyrna Library? Just tell them you’re there for the FOSL Spirit Night, and a portion of your sales will go to support the Smyrna Public Library!
Thursday, September 18th, 4:30-5:45 PM, at the Sam Ingram building at MTSU: In Process, featuring Kate Gale
For the final In Process of the month, Dr. Gaylord Brewer will be hosting multi-genre writer, Kate Gale, who is the publisher of Red Hen Press and the author of seven books of poetry, including The Loneliest Girl, The Goldilocks Zone, and Echo Light. Her debut novel Under a Neon Sun debuted in 2024. Her memoir Swimming the Milky Way is forthcoming with Zando. Stay posted on any changes here.
Saturday, September 20th, 9 AM-1 PM, at the P2 level of the Murfreesboro downtown parking garage: Friends of Linebaugh Library Paper Bag Sale
Fit what you can in a paper bag for $5! Come get some books and support the Linebaugh Library! More information here.
Sunday, September 21st, 6-8 PM, at the Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro with Cameron Mitchell and Giselle Linder
Poetry in the Boro is starting its tenth year strong! We have MTSU alum and former Murfreesboro poet laureate Cameron Mitchell reading from his new book Breaking the Block, and opening for Cam will be international poet Giselle Linder hopping through Murfreesboro on her American tour! There will be an open mic to follow, so come hear some good poetry from Cam, Giselle, and other Murfreesboro poets—and maybe even read something of your own! Check out more information here.
Saturday, September 27th, 10 AM-4 PM, at Front St. in Smyrna: Smyrna Depot Days
Okay, yes, this is not exclusively bookish—but! Friends of Smyrna Library AND The Spine will both have booths there! So if you’re already going for all the foods, crafts, and fun, why not go support some local literary people too? Go check ‘em out!
Saturday, September 27th, 2-4 PM, at The Spine (304 S. Lowry St., Suite A3, in Smyrna): Author Event with Aly Dabbs
Aly Dabbs is a children’s author of the book Bedtime Hearts, so bring your kids to The Spine, meet her, and maybe buy some of her book too! She’ll be selling, signing, and answering all kinds of questions about life as a children’s author. More information here.
And that’s it for September! Whew!! And this doesn’t even include all the reading groups and writing groups that are going on regularly! Make sure to check in with local bookstores and libraries to see if there are any events I’ve missed. As always, email upcoming events and news to me at taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. Thanks, and we’ll see you in the next -ber month!!
Image courtesy of @anneliesgeneyn
