The 12th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival will be held January 18-23, 2016 at Delray Beach Center for the Arts in beautiful downtown Delray Beach, Florida. Six days and evenings of extraordinary poetry events featuring some of America’s most award-winning and engaging poets: readings, craft talks, interviews and panel discussions, workshops and more. Audiences and participants from all over the United States and abroad will experience the best of the best poetry has to offer.

The 2016 workshop faculty includes: Laure-Anne Bosselaar, Carl Dennis, Denise Duhamel, Carol Frost, Thomas Lux, Tom Sleigh, Mary Szybist, and Kevin Young. Special Guest is Robert Hass, and performance poets are Dominique Christina and Mark Kelly Smith, founder of the poetry slam. Conference Faculty are Sally Bliumis-Dunn, Nickole Brown, and Ginger Murchison. Workshop admission is by application.

OUR WORKSHOPS

Festival workshops offer participants the perfect opportunity to focus on their work with other serious writers of poetry … a schedule planned to support your writing and expand your experience of poetry with poets who are not only highly acclaimed, but also renowned teachers of craft.

When discovering the Crest Theatre at Delray Beach Center for the Arts, many say it’s like coming to their “poetry home.”

The first day Welcome Reception and brief introductory workshop session, set the stage. Afterward, you will be free to explore Downtown Delray Beach and Atlantic Avenue for dinner.

On a typical morning, after you pick up a coffee in the festival bookstore, participant time is devoted to a workshop where you may learn as much from the leader as from your fellow participants.

 
The festival Bookstore is a gathering point for participants where Murder On The Beach, our official bookseller, manages the sale of books by faculty and featured poets, and consigns participant’s books for sale. We also provide a limited selection of snacks, water, coffee and tea for purchase.

Afternoon breaks in the balmy winter of Delray Beach, you may stroll along Atlantic Avenue, have lunch, before you attend a Craft Talk in the Crest Theatre, and ask your burning questions.

Break for free time, dinner, and then,

Evening Readings and Book Signings … all within walking distance … Mid Week … The Gala … meet all the poets of the festival,
enjoy cocktails and dinner … and The Gala Reading

and if you feel inspired, some dancing!  
You are definitely in for a poetry treat!

Apply to attend the festival as a participant today.