March 14th: North Coast Voices Launch in Erie, Pennsylvania

Join Main Street Rag for the launch of their North Coast Voices anthology (ed. by Chuck Joy and M. Scott Douglass), in which two of my poems appear, on Saturday 14 March in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Or order here.

Two poems in Main Street Rag's North Coast Voices 2025: Poems of the Great Lakes

I'm pleased that two of my poems, "Add My Tears to the Bodies of Water" and "So Much for Saving," will appear in North Coast Voices 2025: Poems of the Great Lakes, edited by Chuck Joy and M Scott Douglass for Main Street Rag Publishing. So many good poets are between these covers. And if you order now, the advance sale discount price is only $10. 

https://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/north-coast-voices-2025-poetry-anthology/

September 25-27 in Frostburg: Western Maryland Independent Literature Festival

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the 19th annual Western Maryland Independent Literature Festival, presented by the Frostburg State University Center for Literary Arts this weekend in downtown Frostburg.

Thursday 9/25: Savage Mountain Punk Arts' Fall Poetry Slam featuring Lori Jakiela (7 p.m. at Clatter).

Friday 9/26: Indie Lit Kickoff Reading featuring Lee Horikoshi Roripaugh (7 p.m. at Main Street Books), followed by a punk show by the Downstrokes with Controlled Chaos (8 p.m. at The Deep End).

Saturday 9/27: Indie Lit Bookfair Panels and Workshops (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Place, Mountain City Traditional Arts and the Frostburg Public Library). I'll be representing Crisis Chronicles Press in the bookfair all day as well as reading at 1 p.m. at City Place (more details below). And finally, there will be an Indie Lit Open Mic hosted by Chuck Joy (6 p.m. at Clatter). 

October 6th in Fairview, PA: Screening of the Spoon River Anthology Film I Appear In

On Sunday, 19 January 2020, I was part of a diverse cast performing a staged reading of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, Selected Poems, presented by Erie County (Pennsylvania) Poet Laureate Chuck Joy at the Erie County Public Library. My part was "Theodore the Poet."

Fast forward to now and at long last, on 6 October 2025 at 6 p.m., CAM-Erie will present a screening of the film from that event at the Lincoln Community Center Library, 1255 Manchester Road, in Fairview, Pennsylvania. 

For more info, visit facebook.com/events/1068924485091970.

September 10 in Erie, PA: Chuck Joy presents John Burroughs at Werner Books

Looking forward to returning to Erie, Pennsylvania, this Wednesday at 6 p.m. to be the featured poet for Chuck Joy's new series at Werner Books & Coffee (3608 Liberty Street).

Video of my 2018 Calamari's Interview & Reading in Erie, PA

On August 28th 2018, on the patio of Calamari's Squid Row restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, Thasia Anne Lunger interviewed me prior to my featured reading for Poetry Night at Calamari's, hosted by Chuck Joy. The interview and reading were recorded by videographer Bear Lunger for Thasia Anne's TV show, "Poetry, Prose, and Personalities," broadcast on Erie's Cable Access Media (CAM). 

Poems read:
"John Cage Engaged and Uncaged"
"Unfounded"
"Instrumental"
"From Genesis to Exodus"
"Lens"

My July, August & September 2022 Readings

I am so looking forward to seeing friends and sharing poetry at the following special events in the next several weeks.

16 July 2022 beginning at noon near Richwood, West Virginia
The Baber Mountain Poetry Festival will feature poets and musicians from throughout the Appalachian region. Baber Court, 26261. 

30 July 2022 in Portsmouth, Ohio
Noise Complaint at the Warehouse will feature live music by D.J. Everman, Commercial Television, and Soft Pain, plus poetry by Dianne Borsenik, John Burroughs, and Tony Brewer. 2134 Gallia Street Apt. B, 45662.

31 July 2022 at 6 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio
Word of Mouth Cincinnati presents a reading by John Burroughs plus open mic at MOTR Pub, 1345 Main Street, 45202.

2 August 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in South Euclid, Ohio
South Euclid poets including Doc Janning, Raja Belle Freeman, Amy Kesegich, Shelley Chernin, Michael Ceraolo, Adrian Schnall, Amanda Terman and John Burroughs will read during the annual Bexley Bash at Bexley Park, 1630 Wrenford Road, 44121.

6 August 2022 in Erie, Pennsylvania
Poetry during Erie's Blues & Jazz Festival will feature poets including Thasia Anne, Chuck Joy, Mabel Howard, Niecy Nicole, Dianne Borsenik, John Burroughs and an open mic at Frontier Park, 1501 W. 6th Street, 16505.

13 August 2022 at 4 p.m. - ONLINE
The Bronx Book Fair will present a reading by National Beat Poetry Foundation honorees including William F. DeVault, Dane Ince, Patricia Ince, Carlo Parcelli, Chryssa Velissariou, Ron Whitehead and John Burroughs, facilitated by Debbie Tosun Kilday.

2 thru 4 September 2022 in New Hartford, Connecticut
The National and International Beat Poetry Festival will feature poets from around the world and John Burroughs will be officially christened the U.S. National Beat Poet Laureate for 2022-2023.

10 September 2022 at 4 p.m. in Toledo, Ohio
Uncloistered Poetry presents readings by Pauletta Hansel, Mary Biddinger, Lylanne Musselman, Miles Budimir and John Burroughs, hosted by Lucas County Poet Laureate Jonie McIntire at The Attic, 1701 Adams Street, 43604.

Performing at Erie's Blues and Jazz Fest on September 25th

I will have the privilege of performing from the same stage as several fantastic word artists this Saturday, September 25th, during the 100 Thousand Poets for Change event at Erie's Jazz and Blues Fest in Erie, Pennsylvania. This will be my first trip outside of Ohio in eighteen months.

The poetry will begin at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern) at the Frontier Park Amphitheater, hosted by Thasia Anne and featuring the following poets.

4:30 - Matt Borczon

4:39 - Sean Thomas Dougherty

4:47 - Barbara Crone

4:55 - Mabel Howard

5:03 - Kim Noyes

5:11 - John Burroughs

5:19 - Abdullah Washington

Then at 5:30 p.m. Erie County Poet Laureate Dr. Chuck Joy will host an open mic. We hope to see you there!

Frontier Park
1501 W. 6th Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16505

John Burroughs’ 2020 Poetry Events (Scheduled So Far)

I'm starting to put together my 2020 Poetry calendar and I'd love to read for/with you if we can make it happen. Still touring behind my latest book, Rattle & Numb: Selected & New Poems, 1992-2019 [Venetian Spider Press], I’ll read at your bar, festival, living room, bookstore, gallery, university or spacecraft - especially if you’re in Ohio (since I’ll still be the Beat Poet Laureate for our fair state through 2021), though I’m always open to travel for the right gig. For booking, please email jc@crisischronicles.com.

Saturday 4 January at 1 p.m. in Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Poetry reading and discussion with John Burroughs at Riddlehaven.

Monday 6 January at 8 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio
Bowled Over by Holbrook/Burroughs, hosted by Terry Provost at Mahall’s 20 Lanes, 13200 Madison Avenue, 44107.

Wednesday 8 January at 7 p.m. in Youngstown, Ohio
Lit Youngstown presents John Burroughs & Shelley Chernin at The Soap Gallery, 117 S. Champion Street, 44503.

Saturday 18 January at 7 p.m. in Wadsworth, Ohio
Poetry Night and Open Mic featuring John Burroughs & Shelley Chernin at Manic on Main, 136 Main Street, 44281. 

Sunday 19 January at 2 p.m. in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie County Poet Laureate Chuck Joy presents a staged reading of Spoon River Anthology, Selected Poems (including John Burroughs in the role of Theodore the Poet) at the Erie County Public Library 160 E Front Street, 16507.

Tuesday 21 January at 7 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio
Poetry+ featuring Chuck Salmons and Renay Sanders plus open mic, emceed by John Burroughs at Art on Madison, 14203 Madison Avenue, 44107.

Thursday 13 February at 7 p.m. in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Ekphrastacy: Artists Speak + Poets Respond (to the Point Line Pattern Plane exhibit) featuring Ray McNiece, John Burroughs and Carson Evans at Heights Arts, 2175 Lee Road, 44118.

Tuesday 18 February at 7 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio
Poetry+ featuring Bill Yarrow & Laura Grace Weldon plus open mic, emceed by John Burroughs at Art on Madison, 14203 Madison Avenue, 44107.

Sunday 8 March at 6 p.m. in Toledo, Ohio
Uncloistered Poetry featuring John Burroughs, Sam Wright and Sandra Gill at Calvino’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, 3143 W Central Avenue, 43606.

Tuesday 17 March at 7 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio
Poetry+ featuring Leah Mueller and Rikki Santer plus open mic, emceed by John Burroughs at Art on Madison, 14203 Madison Avenue, 44107.

Thursday 9 April at 7 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio

Meet the Author featuring John Burroughs at the Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Avenue, 44107.

Friday 10 April at 7 p.m. in Buffalo, New York
Second Stage Writers at Grindhaus, 160 Allen Street, 14201. More info forthcoming.

Friday 17 April at 6:30 p.m. in Pomeroy, Ohio
Poetry at the Brickhouse: Kari Gunter-Seymour & John Burroughs at the Brickhouse Apothecary, 105 Butternut Avenue, 45769.

Tuesday 21 April at 7 p.m. in Lakewood, Ohio
Poetry+ featuring Terry Provost and Nick Gardner plus open mic, emceed by John Burroughs at Art on Madison, 14203 Madison Avenue, 44107.

Tuesday 19 May at 7 p.m. in Evansville, Indiana
Poetry Speaks featuring John Burroughs, hosted by Indiana Beat Poet Laureate William Sovern at the Bokeh Lounge, 1007 Parrett Street, 47713.

Saturday 13 June at 5 p.m. in Amherst, Ohio
Poetic Expressions from the Heart featuring a workshop, John Burroughs, and open mic hosted by Debra Rose at Arabica Coffee Bistro, 254 Park Avenue, 44001.

Thursday 9 July at 7 p.m. in Shaker Heights, Ohio
Broadsides & Ephemera featuring John Burroughs, plus open mic, at Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Boulevard, 44120.

Saturday 25 July at 7 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio
Annual Cleveland Inkubator festival sponsored by Literary Cleveland at the Cleveland Public Library, Superior Avenue, 44114. More info forthcoming.

4 through 6 September in New Hartford, Connecticut
2020 National Beat Poetry Festival. More info forthcoming.

25 through 26 September in Youngstown, Ohio
Lit Youngstown’s Fall Literary Festival 2020. More info forthcoming.

2 through 3 October in Frostburg, Maryland
The Western Maryland Independent Literature Festival hosted by the Frostburg State University Center for Literary Arts. More details forthcoming.

Stay tuned. More to be added.

[Originally published 1/1/2020. Updated 2/11/2020.]

Performing in Spoon River Anthology, Selected Poems on 1/19 in Erie PA

This Sunday, 19 January 2020, I will be part of a diverse cast in a staged reading of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, Selected Poems, presented by Erie County Poet Laureate Chuck Joy and the Erie County Public Library. You can call me Theodore the Poet.

More info:
Spoon River Anthology, Selected Poems
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Erie County Public Library
H.O. Hirt Auditorium
160 E Front Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16507

SCCA presents Insight and Expression this Saturday

Friends at the S.O.U.L. Collective of Collaborative Arts near Detroit have recently christened their new gallery and performance space, and this Saturday several other friends and I will head up there to share poetry and celebrate with them.

August 8th from 7pm to midnight SCCA's featured poets will include me, Ohioans Dianne Borsenik and Michael Ceraolo, Erie's Chuck Joy and Thasia Anne, and Detroit's own Tawana Honeycomb Perry.  There will also be an open mic, prizes,  music, work by various local artists and more.

This event also serves as the official release celebration for Michael Ceraolo's new chapbook, Readings / The Road, published by Crisis Chronicles Press.

It all happens at The S.O.U.L. Community House, 32905 Grand River Avenue in Farmington, Michigan.  Special thanks to William Burkholder, Matvey Troitsky and Ginger Wiechers for always being so welcoming to us traveling poets.

July 6th Monday at Mahall's will feature Genevieve Jencson, Chuck Joy & Greg Michaels

This Monday will be my second-to-last time hosting the Monday at Mahall's poetry series, as Terry Provost will take over in October.  On July 6th at 7:30 p.m. we will feature three wonderful and wildly different poets:

Genevieve Jencson has an MFA in Poetry from Cleveland State University and the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts Program (NEOMFA). Her work has appeared in H_NGM_N, Dressing Room Poetry Journal, and Alimentum: The Literature of Food. Her first chapbook, Lanugo, was recently published by Dancing Girl Press. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

 
Chuck Joy loves Mahall's. Look at Facebook, his photo, Mahall's. Chuck visits from Erie, Poets' Hall his home club. Erie, Poetry City. Chuck is bringing his new book, Said the Growling Dog. Chuck and Growling Dog went to New York City for a pair of featured readings. Left Bank Books and the Saturn Series. Chuck was guest poet at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry. Chuck appeared at the Erie Art Museum with the poetry and music concert show Exploring The Border (Music and Words). 

Greg Michaels is a native of Lorain, Ohio. He lived in California for 30 years where he performed stand-up comedy and wrote sketch comedy, humorous articles, song parodies and shtick for his comedy barbershop quartet. He became enamored with the humorous story-telling style of the cowboy poets, but he couldn't write about ranch life, of which he knew nothing. A movie title, Urban Cowboy, inspired him. He said “Someday I'll write Urban Cowboy Poetry, whatever that is.” Back in Ohio, he figured it out. He takes popular urban legends and retells them cowboy-poet style. He started performing them around town, and he is now part of the Cleveland poetry scene.

I, of course, will emcee an open mic following the featured poets.

My "Smoker" in the new Pressure Press anthology

My "Smoker" appears in this mighty fine book edited by Ron Androla of Pressure Press. 

Click here to get your copy while it's hot off the presses!

Contributors include Adrian C. Louis, Patrick Mckinnon, Cheryl Townsend, Bree, Jeff Weddle, John Korn, Sean Thomas Dougherty, Bart Solarcyzk, Dave Roskos, Tom Blessing, John Burroughs, Greg Brown, Jeremiah Walton, Joyce Chelmo, Liz Minette, Marisa Moks-Unger, Coleen Shin, Carter Monroe, Sheila Murphy, Peggy Eldridge-Love, Didi Menendez, Barbara Moore, Mike Boyle, Bud Backen, Joan Papalia-Eisert, Jim Chandler, Belinda Subraman, Andy Darlington, C.F. Roberts, Chuck Joy, Mark Hartenbach, Cee Williams, Matt Shaw, Danny Baker, Mike Castro and Jeff Filipski.

July 7th Installlment of Monday at Mahall's will feature Jack McGuane, Chuck Joy, Eva Xanthopoulos, and be guest hosted by Terry Provost

This month's installment of the Monday at Mahall's Poetry and Prose Series is a triple knock out featuring poets Jack McGuane, Ēva Xanthópoulos and Chuck Joy - plus, for any who dare, brews, bowling and a bowl-you-over open mic. Our guest host for the event will be Terry Provost! You won't want to miss this! July 7th at Mahall's in Lakewood.

Jack's and Eva's photos lifted from their Facebook pages. Chuck's photo by Chandra Alderman.

Jack McGuane age 86, has been a resident of Lakewood, Ohio, since 1974, when he moved there from New York’s Long Island. Jack has been married to Kathleen (Moriarty) for fifty-seven years and is the father of five, grandfather of six. He retired in 1997 from his position as Regional Manager for Fireye, Inc., and has been a poet ever since. He served for three years as poetry editor of Whiskey Island Magazine, won the Haiku Death Match (sponsored by Heights Arts), and was named Poet Laureate of Lakewood 2006-2007 by a board of judges and by proclamation of the Mayor. His poems have been published in the anthologies Family Matters (Bottom Dog Press), Come Together, Imagine Peace (BDP), and Lipsmack! A Sampler Platter Year One 2012 (NightBallet Press), and in Whiskey Island Magazine, Moonlit Magazine, ArtCrimes, the November 3rd Club, The City Poetry, and other print and online journals. His chapbook Sleeping With My Socks was published in 2008 by Deep Cleveland Press, and his collections Chickenhawk (2011) and Unfinished (2013) were published by NightBallet Press.

Eva X. is a Greco-American writer, mystic, and multimedia artist. She received her BA in Creative Writing from Cleveland State University. Many of her works are published both in print and online (The Golden Lantern, Mystic Living Today, The Journey Magazine, etc.) and she's the author of several poetry books (Sacred Shapes, Water Walker, and Cumulus). Eva is the founder of Poehemian Press and is the co-founder of Etheric Archives. Find her at www.theartisticmuse.com

Chuck Joy is from Erie, PA. His poems have appeared in Great Lakes Review, Ampersand Review, intentionalwalkreview.com, Medicinal Purposes, Lilliput Review, and Bogg, as well as anthologies edited by Sean Thomas Daugherty, Berwyn Moore, and Jack Coulehan. His publications include All Smooth (Destitute Press) and Every Tiger Wants To Sing (Poets' Hall Press). A poet impressed with the music and drama of lines, Chuck has brought poetry to the stage at The Orange Bear, Blue Planet Cafe, Confluence, every Snoetry, the Erie Book Store, Authors Books, Woodlawn Diner, and Mac's Backs. Chuck is excited to return to Mahall's!