READINGS & EVENTS
Yoga For Creativity + Poetry Reading
An outdoor yoga class + poetry reading, featuring Sebastian Merrill and his debut collection, GHOST :: SEEDS in conversation with Morgan LaRocca, publicist at Milkweed Editions. At The Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore, Maryland.
Reading at Broadside Bookshop with Jen Blackburn and Amanda Shaw
A reading with Jen Blackburn and Amanda Shaw at Broadside Bookshop in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Reading at Stonington Free Library
A reading at Stonington Free Library in Stonington, Connecticut.
Featured Reader for Queer Poetry Open Mic
Sebastian Merrill will be the featured reader for Queer Poetry Open Mic at 10 Forward in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Bryant Park Reading Room
Hosted by Jason Schneiderman and Nathan McClain, the Bryant Park Reading Room celebrates award-winning poetry by established and emerging poets throughout the summer. Sebastian Merrill will be a featured reader for the series on Tuesday, August 13 at Bryant Park in New York, New York.
Reading at Grolier Poetry with Kiran Bath, Jen Funk, and Megan Pinto
A reading and conversation facilitated by Diana Cao with debut poets Kiran Bath (author of INSTRUCTIONS FOR BANNO), Jen Funk (author of Fantasy of Loving the Fantasy), Sebastian Merrill (author of GHOST :: SEEDS) and Megan Pinto (author of Saints of Little Faith) at Grolier Poetry Book Shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Amanda Shaw's Book Launch Party
A book launch for Amanda Shaw in celebration of her debut collection, It Will Have Been So Beautiful (Lily Poetry Review Books), with Sebastian Merrill, followed by a tribute to Sandra Beasley, featuring poets Rekha Mehra, Sunu P. Chandy, and Susan Okie. At the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
A Writing & Yoga Workshop: Yoga for Creativity
This writing and yoga workshop will include an asana practice designed to spark our creativity, followed by generative writing. We'll cultivate a sense of wonder, intuition, and magic with various tools including meditation, bibliomancy, and tarot. At Sanctuary in Northampton, Massachusetts.
House Party Reading Series
A salon-style reading hosted by Bull City Press! Featuring Jason Gray, David Haynes, Sebastian Merrill, and Karen Tucker in Durham, North Carolina.
Inheritances: Three Poets on Transmission & Transformation
A virtual evening of poetry with Ashia Ajani, Sebastian Merrill, and Sahar Muradi, hosted by Brookline Booksmith.
Reading at 27th Letter Books with Jason Storms
A reading featuring Sebastian Merrill and Jason Storms at 27th Letter Books in Detroit, Michigan.
Reading at Book Suey Bookstore
A reading and conversation at Book Suey Bookstore in Detroit, Michigan.
DEBUT: 4 Poets x First Collections
A reading and conversation with debut poets Ashia Ajani (author of Heirloom), Caitlin Cowan (author of Happy Everything), Sebastian Merrill (author of GHOST :: SEEDS), and Sahar Muradi (author of OCTOBERS) at City Lore in New York, New York.
Yoga for Creativity
This writing and yoga workshop will include an asana practice designed to spark our creativity, followed by generative writing. We'll cultivate a sense of wonder, intuition, and magic with various tools including meditation, bibliomancy, and tarot. At Sanctuary in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Poetry Divination Virtual Workshop
This generative workshop will introduce several techniques for writing when you’re feeling stuck. We’ll cultivate a sense of wonder, intuition, and magic with various tools including bibliomancy, pulling inspiration from the tarot, and homophonic translation. The act of writing is an act of revelation: this workshop will provide you with techniques and skills to act as a medium for your poetry, discovering new ideas, shapes, and forms through your own subconscious. A virtual workshop offered in collaboration with the Poetry Society of New York.
Reading at Odyssey Bookshop with Andrea Lawlor
A reading and conversation with Andrea Lawlor, author of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl (Vintage, 2019) at Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Texas Review Press: AWP Off-Site Reading
An AWP Off-Site reading featuring writers from Texas Review Press, Bat City Review, and Gulf Coast at Stray Cat Film Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Getting the Word Out: Poets on Publicizing their Debut Collections
Poets & Writers presents a conversation with the authors selected for the inaugural poetry cohort of Get the Word Out, a publicity incubator for debut authors. They will be joined by the publicist who led the cohort and will discuss the strategies they learned and used to maximize the exposure of their first collections, from reaching readers to generating media buzz, and planning memorable events. Join us to learn about this exciting new program and pick up top tips on publicity for poets. At AWP 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Poets and Writers Presents Get the Word Out: AWP Off-Site Reading
An AWP Off-Site reading featuring writers from Poets and Writers Get the Word Out Publicity Incubator. Readers will include Caitlin Cowan, Kristen Gentry, Ae Hee Lee, Chin-Sun Lee, Sebastian Merrill, Olatunde Osinaike, and Leslie Sainz. At Bird Comedy Theater in Kansas City, Missouri.
GHOST :: SEEDS Book Signing with Texas Review Press
Stop by the Texas Review Press booth at the AWP Conference and get a copy of GHOST :: SEEDS signed by Sebastian. At AWP 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Queer As In: A Reading of Debut Trans and Nonbinary Poets
Experience the transformative power of four trans and nonbinary poets in a poignant reading of debut poetry collections. Amid rising anti-trans legislation and violence, these writers navigate the complexities of identity, resilience, and self-discovery. With vulnerability and strength, their diverse voices challenge societal norms and inspire change. Join us to celebrate and amplify marginalized perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding in a time when existence itself is a radical act. At AWP 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Featured Reader for Mic & Mingle at Still North Books & Bar
Sebastian Merrill will be the featured reader for Mic & Mingle, an opportunity for local authors to gather and read poetry and prose in an open-mic style event at Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Reading at Bank Square Books with Martha Merrill
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS and engage in a conversation with his mother, Martha Merrill, about identity, place, and family at Bank Square Books in Mystic, Connecticut.
Reading at Estragon Tapas Bar with Jen Funk
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Jen Funk, author of Fantasy of Loving the Fantasy (Bull City Press, 2023) at Estragon Tapas Bar in Boston, Massachusetts.
GHOST :: SEEDS: a Poetry & Yoga workshop
In celebration of the release of Sebastian’s debut poetry collection, GHOST :: SEEDS, this poetry & yoga workshop will feature time for community and connection, a poetry reading, an all-levels physical asana practice centered around the theme of loving-kindness, and a book signing. Copies of GHOST :: SEEDS will be available for purchase. Sebastian’s teaching is gender affirming, body positive, and consent oriented. All bodies, sizes, and abilities are welcome and celebrated. Hosted by Sanctuary in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Reading at Antidote Books with Meg Reynolds
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Meg Reynolds, author of Does the Earth (Harpoon Books, 2023) at Antidote Books in Brattleboro, Vermont.
SEBASTIAN X SEBASTIAN Launch Party
A Book Launch Party celebrating the publication of GHOST :: SEEDS (Texas Review Press, 2023) by Sebastian Merrill and Portrait of Us Burning (Northwestern University Press, 2023) by Sebastián Páramo. Featuring readings by Shuli Branson, Zefyr Lisowski, Emily Lee Luan, Alicia Mountain, Megan Pinto, Margaret B. Ray, Phil SaintDenisSanchez, Dane Slutzky, and Mike Soto. At Brooklyn Poets in Brooklyn, New York.
Reading at Lofty Pigeon Books with Summer J. Hart
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Summer J. Hart, author of Boomhouse (2023, The 3rd Thing Press) at Lofty Pigeon Books in Brooklyn, New York.
Book Launch Party with Dane Slutzky and Leslie Sainz
A celebration of the publication of GHOST :: SEEDS by Sebastian Merrill, featuring readings by Dane Slutzky and Leslie Sainz. Hosted by My Health Matters Fitness in Hadley, Massachusetts.
Reading at Toadstool Bookshop with Liza Katz Duncan
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Liza Katz Duncan, author of Given (Autumn House Press, 2023) at the Toadstool Bookshop in Keene, New Hampshire.
Reading at Norwich Bookstore with Sarah Audsley and Liza Katz Duncan
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Sarah Audsley, author of Landlock X (Texas Review Press, 2023) and Liza Katz Duncan, author of Given (Autumn House Press, 2023) at the Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, Vermont.
Reading at Stowe Free Library with Sarah Audsley and Liza Katz Duncan
Sebastian Merrill will read from GHOST :: SEEDS with Sarah Audsley, author of Landlock X (Texas Review Press, 2023) and Liza Katz Duncan, author of Given (Autumn House Press, 2023) at the Stowe Free Library in Stowe, Vermont.
Reading at Greenlight Bookstore with Alicia Mountain
To celebrate his book launch day, Sebastian Merrill will read from his debut collection GHOST :: SEEDS (Texas Review Press) with poet Alicia Mountain, author of Four in Hand (Boa Editions, 2023) and High Ground Coward (University of Iowa Press, 2018) at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.