Bookstore Romance Day, Back-to-School, My Birthday, and More!

If you’ve been around, you know that August is my favorite month! First of all, it’s my birthday month! But also, it’s back to school time which, as a kid who lived in the forest with no neighbors, meant seeing all my friends again! Now as an adult, it means getting alone time as our routines get back in place! Hahaha! And in Rutherford County, it means lots of fun literary things happening! Check ‘em out!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, August 1st, 1-4 PM, at Barnes & Noble (2615 Medical Center Pkwy, Murfreesboro): Book Signing with Leslie Lantrip

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Come support local author Leslie Lantrip and get a copy of her cozy mystery books! Click above for more info!

Friday, August 7th, 6-8 PM, The Arts Center of Cannon County (1424 John Bragg Hwy, Woodbury): True-ish Stories

Okay, yes, you’ll notice this is CANNON County, but Poetry in the Boro is excited to collab and celebrate the current showing of Big Fish at ACCC (August 7-22, inviting artists to explore the space where memory, imagination, and experience meet with stories that grow richer with time, moments that feel larger than life, and quiet journeys that shape us. Performances of poetry and stories will be mixed in throughout the evening, with the visual artists also having an opportunity to talk about their work in the show. Although we’d love for you to stay the entire time, it’s fine to come and go. Poets and storytellers will include Bran Merritt, Brandy Warren, Charles Thomas, Grant Weingart, Jeanmarie Hill, Nallely Ortega Prater, and more—including yours truly! Click the image for more info!

Friday, August 7th, 6-9 PM, at The Grand Exchange (21 S. Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Writer’s Circle

What’s this? A new writing group in town? Yes yes! Come to one of Murfreesboro’s newest bookstores to meet with other writers! (Note this is 18+ and requires a $5 entry fee!)

Saturday, August 8th, 10 AM, at The Grand Exchange: Book Swap

Bring a gently used book to trade in on the sidewalk!

Sunday, August 9th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl (2412 E Main St, Murfreesboro): Writers Mingle with Mytecia Myles

Connect with other writers in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Our guest host this month is brand strategist, literary agent, educator, and speaker Mytecia Myles. She’ll be available to chat throughout the event and give a short talk of writerly inspiration at 3:45. Click the image for more details!

Saturday, August 15th, 9 AM-8 PM, at The Grand Exchange: Bookstore Romance Day

To celebrate Bookstore Romance Day, TGE is having all romance books 20% all day long!

Saturday, August 15th, 11 AM-7 PM, at Romance on Board (2231 NW Broad St, Suite A, Murfreesboro): Bookstore Romance Day Celebration

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You know Murfreesboro’s dedicated romance bookstore is going to have a big to-do for Bookstore Romance Day! Vendors like White Chapel Co, Brew Velvet, and Buttercream Pop will be there for goodies, and authors like @avalon_griffin, @ashleighloganauthor, @cassidyannauthor, @bellabrandonauthor, @lp_brooks, @sagekafskywrites, @_lindseywrites_, and @authorblairryker will be there with books!

Wednesday, August 26th, 6-8PM, at The Grand Exchange: Book Bedazzling

If you’re over 14, bring your own book (or buy one from the store) and $25 to give your book some bling!

Sunday, August 30th, 6-8 PM, at Dapper Owl: Poetry in the Boro featuring Kenny Rae

It’s our monthly poetry night, with featured poet Kenny Rae and an open mic to showcase local poets of all kinds! Keep your eyes on PitB socials for more info as it unfolds!

Mark your calendars for next month …

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As always, check out your local bookstores and libraries to see if I missed any events! And if you have an upcoming event you’d like me to promote (including book launches or publications), send me an email at taffetachimewrites@gmail.com! See you around—and make sure you wish me a happy birthday! ;)

Image courtesy of @blake_a

Celebrate Spring with These Literary Events!

I don’t know about you all, but 2026 so far has felt like at least a decade. Looking forward to this month, though, there are a lot of exciting things happening. I think I’ll look a bit like the “Mom? Dad? Friends?” meme when I head into any of these events. Don’t judge me too harshly! I just want to get my words on!!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 7th: MTSU Write Spring Saturday

MTSU Write will be hosting workshops on some Saturdays through the semester, starting in March! These are free and open to the public, and I can speak from experience and say they are super informative and insightful! Right now, details are TBA so keep an eye on the MTSU Write socials (and Substack!) for information as it comes out. Update: Registration now open on the MTSU Write website.

Sunday, March 8th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl Coffee Pub (2412 E. Main St, Murfreesboro): Writers’ Mingle with Reagan Lichtenwalter

Come join us for our monthly writers’ mingle, where this month, the young and intrepid Raegan Lichtenwalter will be sharing with us! Bring something to work on, come with blank paper, or just come for the coffee and vibes! We’d love to see you there! Click the image for more info.

Saturday, March 21st, 10 AM-2 PM, at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St, Murfreesboro): Randy O’Brien Author Event

Come meet local author Randy O’Brien, who will be selling and signing copies of his book, Ribbon of Dreams. Click the image for more information.

Sunday, March 22nd, at Crying Cat Books (504 N. Maney Ave, Murfreesboro): Crying Cat 5th Birthday Celebration

Information on this event is TBA, so be sure to keep up with Crying Cat’s socials to stay in the know on how you can celebrate five years of this great local bookstore!

Sunday, March 22nd, 6-8:30 PM, at The Walnut House (116 N Walnut St, Murfreesboro): Bloom Stage Presents “A Place for All Voices” to Celebrate Poetry in the Boro’s Tenth Anniversary

Bloom Stage proudly announces the first show in its 2026 series, “A Place for All Voices.” Produced in both Murfreesboro and historic Rugby, Tennessee, this show will invite audience members to reflect on the impact of all creative communities through an entertaining evening of live performance and art. The show also serves as a release party for Poetry in the Boro’s 10th anniversary anthology, also titled A Place for All Voices.

Through poetry, story, music, and performance, this show celebrates the history and reach of Poetry in the Boro, a reading and open mic event that regularly attracts standing-room-only crowds, actively welcomes a diverse group of participants and poetic styles, and has participated in collaborations across the state and beyond.

This show will feature the music of Heather Moulder, art by Henry Jones, live art by Gregory Lannom, and a host of storytellers and poets – they’ll be sharing more soon! Click the image above for more information!

Thursday, March 26th, 4:30 PM, at the MTSU’s Sam Ingram Building (2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd, Murfreesboro): In Process Open Mic

In Process has several events through the fall semester, but this year, they’re opening up more events for the spring too, starting with this open mic! It’s free and open to the public, and there will be snacks! Check it out!

Saturday, March 28th, 10 AM, at The Grand Exchange (21 S. Public Sq, Murfreesboro): Emily Blakeney Book Signing

Drop by TGE to meet local author Emily Blakeney! She’ll be selling and signing copies of her book, Blackwater.

Monday, March 30th, 11 PM-1 AM, at The Spine Bookshop (244 S Lowry St, Smyrna): Game On Midnight Release Party

Join us for a special midnight release celebration of Game On by Navessa Allen on March 30th from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM! If you love staying up late for bookish excitement, this is your chance to celebrate, shop, and kick off release day in the best way possible — surrounded by fellow readers who can’t wait to dive in. We’re opening our doors right at midnight, so you can be among the very first to grab her newest release the moment it drops. If you want to pre-order a copy, please reach out to us at 615-768-9833. Click the image for more details!

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And that’s it for March! Make sure to check in with your local library and/or bookstore to see if you’ve missed something! And if you have something you’d like to promote for next month, shoot me an email: taffetachimewrites@gmail.com. See you in April!

Image courtesy of @silamalychrzeczy