Hello friends. I will be presenting a workshop at the Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference in Edmonds, Washington on October 4th! The workshop is entitled, “Taste, Touch, Smell, Hear and See: Write through Sensory Discovery.” Join me as we explore how to make our poetry deeply rooted in sensory experience. The conference is from 10/2-10/4 with so many fabulous workshops! Check out the Write on the Sound website for more information and to register for the conference.
I will be celebrating poetry month by participating in the WordFest reading series on Tuesday, April 14, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview, WA. If you are in the neighborhood, do stop by. A big thank you to Alan Rose who hosts the series. I will be joined by poets Debra Elisa Wöhrmann, Eric Fair-Layman, Emmett Wheatfall, Quin McFadin, Zac (Sunflower) Oberg , Sally Jones, and Jim MacLeod. The reading is free. Tuesday, April 14, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview.
I am happy to announce that my books, Even the Dog was Quiet and If There Is No Wind, are now available at two locations in Portland, Oregon:
Also, if you are in Portland on Friday, March 6th, come to the Hocus reading at Rose City Book Pub. I have been invited to read a poem for the themed reading, Forgotten Places. The reading begins at 7:30. There is no admission fee.
Be well,
Margaret
The First Thursday Writers & Artists Series is a monthly event designed to bring together writers, painters, photographers, poets, and people who appreciate them, in the inspiring setting of Helvetia Winery. This series will provide a welcoming space for people to connect, share their creative work, and build lasting artistic and professional communities Each month we host a speaker to kick off the evening. This month Margaret Sáraco will be our guest. This is an in-person free event!
Thursday, February 5th, 6:30-8:00 pm.
Fireside readings and discussion, and of course, wine.
Information & Optional Reservations:
https://buytickets.at/helvetiavineyardswinery/2027065
Address: Helvetia Winery, 23269 NW Yungen Rd., Hillsboro, OR 97124
Take Highway (26) northwest from downtown Portland, 13 miles. Turn right at Helvetia Road exit (61B). Go north 3.5 miles. Turn right at Bishop Road and follow the signs to Helvetia Vineyards.
Please join me at one or both of my readings—virtual in January and an in-person in February. These are free events. Click on the links provided for more information.
01/22/2026 Fixed and Free Reading, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 5:30-8:30 MST, with Sterling Warner.
About the event: I will be reading around 6:15 pm and Sterling will be reading around 7 pm with an open mic before, between, and after. To get on the open mic waiting list, email Billy Brown at Welbert53@aol.com.
Zoom link Meeting ID is 989 4335 7065 and the passcode: 212030. Note: This event is in MST, please adjust for your time zone.
02/05/2026 First Thursday Author & Artist Series, Helvetia Winery, Hillsboro, Oregon, 6:30 pm -8:00 pm PST. 23269 NW Yungen Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97214.
About the event: “The First Thursday Writers & Artists Series is a monthly event designed to bring together writers, painters, photographers, poets, and people who appreciate them, in the inspiring setting of Helvetia Winery. This series will provide a welcoming space for people to connect, share their creative work, and build lasting artistic and professional communities.”
Directions: Take Highway 26 northwest from downtown Portland, 13 miles. Turn right at Helvetia Road exit 61B. Go north 3.5 miles. Turn right at Bishop Road and follow the signs to Helvetia Vineyards.
If you would like to register in advance for this free event, go to the Eventbrite page.
Please join me at one or both of my readings. They are free and have open mics. Click on the links provided to enter the Zoom Rooms.
01/08/2026 Parkland Poets, Stony Plain, Canada. 7 pm MST (6 pm PST 9 pm EST). Reading with Lauraine Saretsky and Angela Waldie. The password is 2026.
01/22/2026 Fixed and Free, Albuquerque, NM. 5:30-8:30 MST. Reading with Sterling Warner. To get on the open mic list, email Billy Brown (Welbert53@aol.com). There are limited spots. Meeting ID is 989 4335 7065 and the passcode: 212030.
The reading is Friday (not Thursday!)
FEATURED READING! You are invited to attend a virtual poetry reading featuring Ken Holland, Guy Reed and myself on Calling All Poets, Friday, 11/7/ at 4 pm PST (7 pm EST). Follow the instructions on the website to register. There is a $5 admission fee ($4 if you are a member.) The hosts, Mike Jurkovic and Greg Correll, host a generous open mic.
Hello friends and family.
FEATURED READING! You are invited to attend a virtual poetry reading featuring Ken Holland, Guy Reed and myself on Calling All Poets, Friday, 11/7/ at 4 pm PST (7 pm EST). Follow the instructions on the website to register. There is a $5 admission fee ($4 if you are a member.) The hosts, Mike Jurkovic and Greg Correll, host a generous open mic.
INDIE GIFT BOOKS! Human Error Publishing and NatureCulture® have pioneered a new model in independent publishing. According to their Facebook page, “Indie Gift Books is a collaboration of independent publishers helping to get the word out about each of them and the many great authors they have published for those looking for the perfect gift for themselves or family and friends.” I was invited to attend a reading and record some work from my books with Human Error Publishing, along with the publishers and writers from Cottey House Press, Hercules Publishing, Images from the Past, Meat for Tea: The Valley Review, Metaphysical Fox, National Beat Poetry Foundation, NatureCulture®, Perugia Press, and Pierce Press. Check out the videos here.Ads for Indie Gift Books will be running on National Public Radio for the next couple of weeks.
POLITICS! On the political front, I just discovered two notable websites through Rick Lupert’s Poetry Superhighway that connect writers and activists: Writers for Democratic Action and Poets Against Racism. I am intrigued. There are many.
From now on, I will be sending my newsletter every two months instead of monthly with an occasional announcement letter. If you have writing news to share, email me so I can mention your achievements and events. My next newsletter will be the November/December 2025 issue.
“IndieGiftBooks.com helps readers find Independent Publishers they love.” I will be reading with Human Error Publishing on the launch (7 pm EST on 10/15/25). The ad will run on NPR. To sign up for the event log onto their site. Thanks goes to my publisher, Paul Richmond for the invite. Shoutout to Meat For Tea, National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., Metaphysical Fox Press and NatureCulture. I love indie book publishers!
Hope you can make it!
Poetry Near and Afar. Oceanside Library Reading Series. Virtual. 7 pm EDT (4 pm PDT.) Free. “We are delighted to announce the return of Poetry Near & Afar! This series, started during lockdown in 2020, brings together poets from around the world. Poetry: Near & Afar, is an online poetry reading with two features: one from the NY area and one from “afar”. Features get 20 minutes and then we have an open mic (one non-epic-length poem, please!) Monday, we feature poets from Oregon and right here in Oceanside, New York.”
