Many, many thanks to Harold Jenkins for putting the time and effort into creating another calendar of local literary events happening in northeastern, PA. Harold posted the events on the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers’ Collective blog, and I’m posting them here so more people can see all that’s happening.

I just want to add one event not on the calendar. On Thursday, March 20 from 5-7 p.m., The Valley Community Library in Peckville is hosting its third annual Local Author Night, featuring book signings and readings by local authors. The event is free, and I’ll be there, so come say hello!

Here is a list of other local events:

Thursday, March 20 – Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers’ Collective. Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. This month’s host will be Alvin K. Nurse. Come celebrate the first day of spring with poetry! This is a free event, but donations to support the Vintage are encouraged and appreciated.

Friday, March 21 – Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word featuring the Breaking Ground Poets at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open mic beforehand. Hosted by Sarah Scinto from The Times Tribune. Sign-ups begin at 7:30 (or whenever the sign-up sheet goes out, no less than 5-10 minutes before the readings), readings begin at 8:00.

Friday, March 21 – Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater, 60 E Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Open mic, followed by a performance by the Terry Wayne Goodholm band. Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. Open to audiences and performers of all types.  Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Hosted by Laurel Radzieski.

Sunday, March 23 – Scranton

A Lie is a Venial Sin (VT Stage Reading Series) The Vintage Stage Reading Series will kick off with a reading of a work by local playwright Ted LoRusso.

The Vintage is proud to kick off its 2014 stage reading series (in conjunction with its newly established resident ensemble) with a live stage reading of Ted LoRusso’s engaging work A Lie Is a Venial Sin .

March 23rd / 4:00 pm @ The Vintage

Free & Open to all (donations are encouraged to support The Vintage and continue its artistic programming and outreach).

The playwright will be in attendance for a Q&A discussion following the reading. The facilitator for this reading is Maggie A. O’Brien, who also serves as the resident ensembles producing director.

*NOTE: Due to strong language and content this reading is recommenced for mature audiences only.

There are a few more events scheduled for the end of March, including three events on March 28! For the rest of the events, check out the NEPWC blog.