Join us post-Lit Fest programming for an evening of fun and interactive literary-themed events around the city. There will be games! There will be friendly competition! There will be poetry! There will be hilarity! There will be food and beverages galore! Join us on the crawl!
This event is free with the option to purchase food and drink at some locations.
On The Spot Poems and Literary Cocktails at the Press Hotel’s Inkwell Bar
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (drop in throughout the night)
The Press Hotel, 119 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Want to relax after a full day at the Lit Fest? Come to the Press Hotel’s Inkwell Barr for a literary themed cocktail menu and stay for an on the spot poem written for you by a local poet. Featuring several poets ready with their typewriters, including Katherine Ferrier, Meghan Sterling, Martina O’Neill, Sue Scavo and Maureen Thomson.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the Inkwell Bar.
Lit Crawl Scavenger Hunt at Longfellow Books with Meghan Gilliss
6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
Longfellow Books, 1 Monument St. Path, Portland, ME 04101
Join us at Longfellow Books as we welcome author (and former Longfellow bookseller) Meghan Gilliss in celebration of her debut novel, Lungfish. Meghan will host a literary scavenger hunt that will lead guests through the shelves of Longfellow Books on the hunt for her favorite books and titles that influenced her writing of Lungfish. Complimentary books, prizes, snacks, drinks, and more!
Terrible Writing by Great Writers
7:15 PM - 8 PM
Mechanics Hall 519 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Mechanics’ Hall is partnering with MWPA Lit Fest Lit Crawl for an Open Mic unlike any other: great writers reading their worst writing. Participating authors include Coco McCracken, Lynn Steger Strong, Mira Ptacin, Jaed Coffin, Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, Marko Pogačar, and others.
Want to get in on the cringe? The mic is open! We invite you to join these brave souls and share the worst piece of writing you have ever written! Get out your old journals, dig up those love poems from college, find the first draft of the novella that never was: step up to the mic and share your best worst writing.
Book sales by Back Cove Books! Complimentary snacks and liquid courage provided by Cocktail Mary!
Celebrate LGBTQ+ Authors, Play Trivia, and Build a Library for the Equality Community Center
8:00 PM - 8:45 PM
The Equality Community Center 15 Casco St, Portland, ME 04101
Grab your friends, coworkers, even your creative writing classmates and join us at the Equality Community Center for a lively night of trivia about LGBTQ+ authors and books. The night will be emceed by writer, performing artist, and Maine Humanities Council staff member Sampson Spadafore. Prizes for the winning teams.