Hot Springs Poetry Festival

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month, poets! 🌈

Audre Lorde, the Black-lesbian-mother-warrior-poet, says that "𝑷𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒍𝒖𝒙𝒖𝒓𝒚."

That is why we want to build a free, people-powered initiative that reflects the colorful spirit of our community, with your help.

Whether you submit to the zine, propose a workshop, volunteer or sponsor or attend an event, there's something for everyone. Let's join forces and make some magic happen!

𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅:

✍️ Submit to the Festival Zine: 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒆
📋 Submit a Proposal (event idea, workshop, or book fair booth): 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏
🤝 Volunteer: 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏
📬 Subscribe to the Newsletter: 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆
📣 Community & Outreach: 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏
🎁 Sponsor or Donate: 𝒉𝒔𝒑𝒇.𝒐𝒓𝒈/𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏

Pride in Poetry. Pride in Community!

05/25/2026

Subscribe to our newsletter and be entered into our first giveaway! 👀

We're talking poems in your inbox, automatic entry into future freebies, and the power to influence the festival through subscriber-only polls.

Subscribe today at https://hspf.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c66597468ec8f5866c9201fb2&id=2d53e5b749

Receive updates on festival events, featured poets, workshops, readings, and other special announcements!

05/16/2026

Hot off the press by Kai Coggin, Hot Springs Poet Laureate!
https://time.com/article/2026/05/16/the-luna-moth-that-saved-me/

"On April 25, 2024, I was walking in the Ouachita National Forest, with my wife and other Master Naturalists, studying mosses and searching for elusive lady slipper orchids in bloom, when we noticed a luna moth on the tip of a dried-up flower stem, dangerously close to a mountain bike trail. She was so still, I thought she was dead..."

Raising five generations of luna moths changed me, writes Kai Coggin.

05/15/2026

♨️ The Hot Springs Poetry Fest is now accepting submissions for our 2nd annual festival zine!

We invite Arkansas-based poets and artists to contribute original works that reflect the diversity of the Arkansas creative community.

📩 Submissions open May 15 and close September 1, 2026. Submit up to 3 poems or 3 pieces of art (any style or theme).

🔗 Submit your work at HSPF.org/ZINE

Honoring Hot Springs' legendary literary legacy, this free festival will offer the community readings, workshops, and interactive activities. We will have a zine release party at our opening kick-off event.

In the meantime, don't forget to Join the Festivities: Visit hspf.org/join to sign up to volunteer, propose an event, or let us know you would like to read or lead a workshop (virtual or in-person).

Write like the wind, poets! 🌬️ 🍃

05/04/2026

📣 Calling all poets and lovers of poetry! It takes months to plan a festival, and we need your help.

We're looking for:
📚 Readers and workshop leaders
📌 Events and venues
🤝 Partners and sponsors
🤗 Volunteers and organizing team

✉️ Email us or visit hspf.org/join to get involved!
Please share, especially with Arkansas-based poets!

Who or what would you like to see at this year's Hot Springs Poetry Festival? 👀

05/03/2026

Relive the magic of last November at the Hot Springs Poetry Festival! From readings to workshops, open mics to film screenings and performance art, our first year was one to remember.

Now that May is here and Poetry Month has passed, we’re already dreaming about this year's lineup.

If you’re a poet, reader, workshop leader, sponsor, business, event planner, or volunteer, we hope you'll help us shape what’s next. Share your vision, lend your voice, or just show up!

👀 How would you like to participate? What would you like to see?

We’d love to write the next chapter with you!

04/24/2026

This Sunday!