April is National Poetry Month!
Every year The Paper Poet solicits original poetry submissions from poets of all ages from around the world. These poems will be on display in Downtown Rutland business front windows during National Poetry Month. Poems will be displayed from early April through the first week of May.
POP-UP POETRY PATH
The community is invited to celebrate by following the pop-up poetry path to read the poems in downtown windows! Free maps are available at Phoenix Books Rutland.
POETRY MONTH CELEBRATIONS:
Poetry Open Mic at Phoenix Books Rutland
📅 When: Sunday, April 12 @ 2:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Phoenix Books Rutland, 2 Center Street, Rutland, VT
The Paper Poet Is In(die) at Phoenix Books Rutland
📅 When: Saturday, April 25 @ 11:30-2:30 PM EST Details here.
📍 Where: Phoenix Books Rutland, 2 Center Street, Rutland, VT
📝 What: Ever wondered what it’s like to receive a poem written just for you, or searching for a unique gift? The Paper Poet, Bianca Amira Zanella—Phoenix Books' Poet-in-Residence—will be in-store, offering free, spontaneous poems from the heart and the typewriter for Indie Bookstore Day. Meet the poet, suggest a theme or ask for a surprise, and browse the bookstore while your exclusive poem is crafted. Tips for the artist are appreciated.
Poetry Downtown Rutland Inspo Tour & Writing Workshop
📅 When: Sunday, April 26 @ 1:00 PM EST Tickets here.
📍 Where: Phoenix Books Rutland, 2 Center Street, Rutland, VT
📝 What: Phoenix Books' Poet-in-Residence, Bianca Amira Zanella (The Paper Poet), will lead a Word Search Poetry Inspiration Walking Tour featuring selected poems from the 2026 Poetry Downtown Rutland project, which represents over 60 poets in its sixth year. Afterward, participants will return to Phoenix Books for a generative writing workshop and sharing circle with light refreshments. This is a ticketed event.
How to Love a Dog: Reading with Steve Brittain
📅 When: Monday, April 27 @ 6:30 PM EST RSVP here.
📍 Where: Phoenix Books Rutland, 2 Center Street, Rutland, VT
📝 What: Phoenix Books Rutland will host an evening of poetry and music with local author Steve Brittain. Steve will read a selection of poems from his two collections, Topping Trees: Reflections in Poetry on Zen Master Dogen's Genjo Koan and the recently published How to Love a Dog. The readings will be complemented by tunes from the Celtic tradition.
Virtual Poetry Open Mic
📅 When: Wednesday, April 30 @ 7:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom! Please RSVP with the link.
This event is sponsored by The Paper Poet, Downtown Rutland Partnership, and Phoenix Books Rutland.