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The Get Lit! Festival: A Boon to Readers and Writers

March 31, 2026

The Get Lit! Festival is celebrating 28 years of being the Inland Northwest’s preeminent literary conference. This year’s festival takes place from April 17^th to April 19^th and features as its headliners Pulitzer Prize winner Tessa Hulls, Artist Trust Fellow and Raised By Ferns author Maya Jewell Zeller, Best American Poetry author Keetje Kuipers, and more, with Saturday’s Northwest Passages event featuring a conversation between beloved novelists Willy Vlautin and Jess Walter.

You can view the full Get Lit! Festival schedule on their website.

There are several writing workshops and events being offered throughout the weekend. Some of these are paid and some of them are free and open to the public. Spokane Public Library is partnering with three free events, which are happening at the Central Library on Friday, April 17^th. Even the free-and-open workshops listed here do have a cap on them, so be sure to arrive early to get your seat. And be sure to keep supporting the Get Lit! Festival’s presence in our community, which uplifts local writers and brings major national-award winning writers to the region. This festival is a boon to readers and writers throughout Spokane and its environs.

Record Your Own Poetry Moment with Spokane Public Radio
Friday April 17, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Central Library: Podcasting Studio

Have you ever dreamed of being on the radio? Do you crave an audience for your poetry, or do you have a favorite poem that you wish the whole world had read? Look no further, because we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Spokane Public Radio’s Poetry Moment! You may have heard SPR’s Poetry Moment on SPR Classical (KSFC 91.9), which airs every weekday at 9am and provides an outlet for the creatives of Spokane, and a daily dose of poetry for all listeners. We’re offering all festivalgoers a chance to record their own Poetry Moment in the Central Library’s podcasting studio! Poetry Moment readers will be welcome to share a poem by their favorite poet, or read their own work. Readers will be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis, so we encourage you to show up early to form a line. Please make sure to read the guidelines here before you arrive. Don’t miss the chance to share a Poetry Moment on the airwaves! 

Table Reads: A No-Mic Open Mic
Friday April 17, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Central Library: Conference B

Have you always wanted to participate in an open mic but maybe you’ve been intimidated by reading in front of a large crowd? Maybe microphones send shivers down your spine? We have created the perfect opportunity to build your confidence and let you test the public reading waters in a safe and supportive space. Readers will be seated around a table, and you’ll have the opportunity to read 1-5 minutes of your own work, standing up or sitting down—it’s up to you! This event is perfect for first-time readers, but all are welcome. With festival author Ren Cedar Fuller as the host, this event will be welcoming to authors looking for an encouraging and intimate setting to share their original poetry or prose. Capacity will be low, so make sure to arrive early to take advantage of this unique low-stakes open mic! This event is free and open to the public, but capacity is limited (20) and attendees should arrive early to guarantee a seat.  

Daring to Debut: The Journey to Publication
Friday April 17, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Central Library: Conference B

Celebrating the publication of a first book is an exciting milestone in an author’s life, but it’s not always clear how that process happens. Join us for an intimate discussion around a conference table about the ins and outs of publishing your debut! Writers Lauren W. Westerfield and Ally Ang will lead a casual conversation, telling the story of how their first works came to be and answering any questions you might have about this process. Lauren Westerfield’s first book, Depth Control, a collection of genre-bending essays, was published in 2025 by Unsolicited Press, and Lauren’s debut memoir Woman House was just published this spring. Ally Ang’s Let the Moon Wobble, an honor book for the 2026 Stonewall Book Award, was published by Alice James Books in 2025. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the path to publishing in both poetry and prose!  Note that this event is free and open to the public, but capacity is limited (20) and attendees should arrive early to guarantee a seat. 

Booklist of Get Lit! Festival Authors (some, not all!):