As I write this, the snow is falling outside, and the cold is seeping in. Thankfully, we have not (yet) lost power. There was an internet outage on Sunday night (the horror!), but otherwise, we have been very fortunate. I hope that where you are, you and yours are warm and safe.
I do also feel I must say, there are other “ice storms” happening in our nation right now that break my heart. Many of you know I am an active part of our local immigrant/refugee/foreign community, and to watch the mounting fear and anger in my friends and family … it just hurts my soul. Sometimes I feel like the things I read and write are unimportant, but then I remember things like this Robert Schumann quote: “To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts—such is the duty of the artist.” Or this one by Toni Morrison: “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” Keep reading, keep writing, keep supporting, keep loving, keep fighting. And if you need a place to do those things, look no further. I got you covered.
Events
Friday, January 30 & Friday, February 6, 5:00-7:00 PM - Art reception at Trellis & Vine, 27 S. Lowry St. in Smyrna, includes writers
Due to the weather, Trellis & Vine studio and gallery in Smyrna has extended part 1 of their exhibition BitterSweet by one week, so there will be a reception on both January 30 and February 6. This exhibition of local creatives’ work in response to the themes of finding hope through grief (part 1, through Feb. 6) and joy through connection (part 2, through February). Come out and experience these vulnerable creations, and hear a few of the writers read.
Monday, February 2nd (through March 14th), at the Myrtle Glanton Lord Library (521 Martin Luther King Blvd, Murfreesboro): Winter Reading Bingo
From February 2nd through March 14th, you can complete six unique, fun reading challenges by reading six different books—challenges like … “read a book with a blue cover,” “read a book with a friend,” “read a book set in space,” and so many more! Complete your reading challenges by March 14th and turn in your Bingo board at MGL to claim your prize! This reading challenge is meant to encourage literacy and life-long reading habits. By reading 30 minutes a day, every day, you are setting yourself up for success! Click the image for more information.
Saturday, February 7th, 2:00 PM, at Linebaugh Library (105 W Vine St, Murfreesboro): Author Event with Brian Seadorf
In case you haven’t gotten enough of our favorite “guybriarian,” he’ll be doing a signing at Linebaugh for his recent book of poetry, Five Baptisms! More info here.
Saturday, February 7th, 4-7 PM, at The Grand Exchange (21 S Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Rebecca Elder Book Signing
Come check out Murfreesboro’s latest bookstore and support a local romance author, Rebecca Elder!
Sunday, February 8th, 3-5 PM, at The Dapper Owl (2412 E Main St, Murfreesboro): Writers Mingle with Mark Orr
We’re celebrating our one-year anniversary of the Writers Mingle! Fiction writer and poet Mark Orr will be speaking to us, and there will be games, friends, and a designated writing space. Come check it out! All writers of all ages, all genres, and all levels welcome! See all the details here.
Friday, February 13th, 12-2 PM, at The Grand Exchange (21 S Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Jessica Stollings Book Signing
Go meet local author Jessica and get her latest nonfiction book about working intergenerationally!
Saturday, February 14th, 4-8 PM, at The Grand Exchange (21 S Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Valentine’s Date Night
This is SUCH a cute idea! Preorder flowers here, build your own bouquet, get BOGO hardbacks, and/or go on a blind date with a book! Check out here for more info.
Sunday, February 22nd, 6-8ish PM, at The Dapper Owl (2412 E Main St, Murfreesboro): Poetry in the Boro Reading and Open Mic, Featuring Carson Elliot
Poetry in the Boro had to reschedule their January feature because of the weather, but thankfully, Carson has agreed to come back in February! Come join us to hear from Carson, get some coffee and snacks from Dapper Owl, meet other poets, and maybe perform some of your own work too! We’d love to see you there! Details at poetryintheboro.org.
Saturday, February 28th, 12-4 PM, at Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Rd, Murfreesboro): Cabin Fever Beer Fest to benefit Read to Succeed
Cedar Glade is thrilled to launch the first-ever Cabin Fever Beer Festival, and they’ve chosen Read to Succeed as the beneficiary of the funds raised at the event! Get your tickets here, and click the image above for more information.
Celebrations
Poetry in the Boro regular Charles Thomas was recently published in Novus out of Cumberland University, alongside the work of artist J.C. Henderson. Charles wrote an ekphrastic poem “Reportage from the Village of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, 1889 (after viewing a print in mirror image)” in response to Henderson’s piece “Harmony.” You can read about their partnership below and get a copy the of Fall/Winter 2025 issue of Novus here.
Aaron Shapiro is at it again! We are so proud of Aaron and for his moving poem “A Formal Feeling,” which won the 2025 Porch Prize for Poetry. It will be published in The Porch’s upcoming issue of SWING, which you can preorder here. Check out this little message from Aaron and the Poetry Prize’s judge Cecily Park below:
Has former Murfreesboro poet laureate Kory Wells defected to another genre? No, but she has been writing and publishing some short CNF (creative nonfiction) pieces lately, including
“In the Undergrowth” in Flyway Journal of Writing & Environment
“They Call This Condition Benign” in The Plentitudes
And I believe that’s it! Hopefully that gives you lots of reasons to keep writing, reading, communing, and resisting. As always, check in with your local library and bookstores to see their full list of events, and if you have anything you’d like me to share in an upcoming post, email me at taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. Thanks and be well! <3
Image courtesy of @joseph3088
