Literary Events in the Washington, D.C. Area
Please note: while most events are free, many require an RSVP and some do charge. See links for details. If you have an event to add, or a correction, email us at Washington.Unbound@gmail.com.
Ongoing
Busboys & Poets hosts open mics weekly at various locations. For information, visit their website: https://www.busboysandpoets.com/poetry
March 2026
AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) conference is being held in Baltimore March 4-7. Many DMV writers and institutions will be attending (including Washington Unbound’s Gregory Luce). See our guide to the DMV presence at AWP:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-188148928
3/2
We Contain Landscapes
7pm
Lost City Books, 2467 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
To whom do we belong, and at what cost? Patrycja Humienik's debut poetry collection, We Contain Landscapes, is haunted by questions of desire, borders, and the illusion of national belonging. Bringing music and rich sensory detail to the page, these poems attend to the inextricable link between our bodies and the land.
https://lostcitybookstore.com/event/2026-03-02/we-contain-landscapes-patrycja-humienik
Betsy Rubiner — OUR DIARIES, OURSELVES: How Diarists Chronicle Their Lives and Document Our World
7pm
Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
A spirited exploration of the diary, from pen-and-paper to TikTok, for the people who write—and read—them
Featuring iconic diary keepers like Audre Lorde, Virginia Woolf, Alison Bechdel, and Taylor Swift.
https://politics-prose.com/betsy-rubiner
3/3
Justin Collman: Thirteen Fallen Horses: A Novel
7pm
The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St, Bethesda MD 20815
The Writer’s Center welcomes novelist Justin Collmann for a reading from his debut new novel, Thirteen Fallen Horses.
3/4
Brian Platzer — The Optimists: A Novel
3pm
Politics & Prose, at The Wharf, 610 Water St SW, Washington DC, DC 20024
A beloved schoolteacher chronicles the meteoric rise of his most dazzling student in this ambitious, big-hearted work of literary fiction, perfect for fans of Nathan Hill, Susan Choi, and Tess Gunty.
https://politics-prose.com/brian-platzer-030426
Sara Goodman Confino: Good Grief—A Novel
7pm
Wonderland Books, 7920B Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Local author Sara Goodman Confino will discuss her novel Good Grief, a hopeful and hilarious story about two strong-willed widows—a mother and daughter-in-law—navigating loss, family friction, and life under one roof. In partnership with Washington Hebrew Congregation and the Jewish Book Council.
https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/events/3416120260304
Marian Mitchell Donahue—Backstitch: A Novel
7:30pm
People’s Books, 7014-A Westmoreland Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912
Two sisters, Violet and Marigold, reunite at a retrospective of their troubled mother's art. Together they must confront the consequences of her ambition and the difficult, private reality of the family's public narrative.
https://peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/backstitch/
3/6
In the Writers’ Studio: on friendship with former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky & William Miller
Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St NW, Washington DC 20006
The Cheuse Center and the Arts Club of Washington brings a celebration of the craft of writing and the art of living, inaugurated by former Poet Laureate, Robert Pinsky.
3/7
Marisa Kashino — Best Offer Wins: A Novel
3pm
Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Dark, biting, and laugh-out-loud funny, Best Offer Wins is a propulsive debut and a razor-sharp exploration of class, ambition, and the modern housing crisis.
https://politics-prose.com/marisa-kashino-030726
Meg Bortin — The Rites of Man: A Novel
5pm
Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Sherry McManus, a New York photographer of musicians in concert, has been around the block in love. As she begins a relationship with Thomas G. Paine, she asks herself: Is the pursuit of happiness worth the risk?
3/8
The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center welcomes Michael Battisto and friends for an afternoon of Poetry.
The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St, Bethesda MD 20815
Reston Readings
5:30pm
Reston’s Used Bookshop, 1623 Washington Plz N, Reston, VA 20190
Jen Epting Dary, Tom Navratil, Art Luby (dramatic reading of his play Keeper of the Flame featuring Steve Watkins and Bob Hurley). Will also include a open mic of approximately 5 authors.
People’s Book
7014-A Westmoreland Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912
Eric Goldstein discusses his novel Taught. (See our interview with Eric.)
3/13
Solid State Books
600 H Street Northeast, Washington, D.C., 20002
7pm
A. Natasha Joukovsky discusses her novel Medium Rare.
https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/events/2025/3/13medium
3/14
Politics and Prose at Union Market
1324 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
6pm
Elizabeth Heider discusses her novel Children of the Savage City.
https://politics-prose.com/elizabeth-heider-031426
3/15
Bards Alley
2pm
At Mary Riley Styles Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Bsrat Mezghebe discusses her novel I( Hope You Find What You’re Looking For.
https://www.mrspl.org/event/draft-march-author-talk-bsrat-mezghebe-32395
3/18
East City Books
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Unit 100, Washington, D.C .20003
7pm
East City Bookshop welcomes Karan Mahajan to discuss his novel, The Complex. (Hybrid)
https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/events/4718820260318
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
7pm
Álvaro Enrigue discusses his novel Now I Surrender.
https://politics-prose.com/alvaro-enrigue-031826
Wonderland Books
7920B Norfolk Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814
7pm
Alli Hoff Kosik discusses her novel Too Blessed to Stress.
3/23
East City Books
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Unit 100, Washington, D.C .20003
7pm
East City Bookshop welcomes V.L. Bovalino to discuss her novel, The Second Death of Locke, in conversation with Lindsey G. of @_booksandbanter. (Hybrid)
https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/events/4708920260323
3/18
Politics and Prose
7pm
5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Jung Yun discusses her novel All the World can Hold.
https://politics-prose.com/jung-yun-031926
3/24
The Inner Loop
7 pm
At Shaw’s Tavern, 520 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Novelist Tope Folarin reads alongside 9 other writers
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-inner-loop-march-reading-tickets-1979942964706?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
3/29
Reston Readings
5:30pm
At Reston’s Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza N, Reston, VA 20190
Susan Kay Scheid, Matt Hohner, and Regie Cabico read, followed by an open mic.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/232505597093213
3/30
Bards Alley
6:30pm
At Fenwick Library Reading Room, GMU, 440 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030
Biographer Mark Oppenheimer discusses Judy Blume: A Life.