Located in Will County along the Des Plaines River, Joliet, Illinois—along with neighboring communities like Crest Hill, Shorewood, Lockport, Plainfield, Romeoville, New Lenox, and Bolingbrook—boasts a creative literary scene. From historic theaters on Jefferson Street to suburban university campuses and independent bookshops, Will County poets, authors, and spoken word artists have built an active network of open mics, workshops, publishers, and literary contests.

Curated by The Poetry Movement, this directory details recurring and upcoming literary opportunities in Joliet and the surrounding Will County region. If you find inaccurate information and can provide correction, or if you are aware of other opportunities and can provide details regarding the day/time/dates, cost, frequency, location, and contact person(s), along with links to any relevant websites, social media profiles, media coverage and ticketing websites, please email complete information to info@thepoetrymovement.org.

Poetry Open Mics & Featured Readings

National Poetry Month Open Mic at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park (Joliet)

• Opportunity Name: Annual National Poetry Month Open Mic & Acoustic Gathering

• Organizer / Host: City of Joliet Cultural Affairs Division & Joliet Poet Laureate Uxmar Torres

• Location & Address: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre, 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432

• Schedule & Frequency: Annually every April during National Poetry Month (e.g., April 11); 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free admission and free sign-up

• Eligibility: Open to all poets, spoken word performers, and acoustic musicians ages 16+

• Contact Information: Email: WriteWithUxmar@gmail.com | Phone: (815) 724-3760

• Significant Details: Hosted by Joliet’s inaugural Poet Laureate Uxmar Torres in the park's indoor theatre, this flagship open mic draws dozens of regional writers. Performers receive 5 minutes of stage time for original acoustic poetry or music.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: In local arts coverage, Shaw Local News Network reported: "Bicentennial Park is a cornerstone of our year-round cultural programming strategy... activating public spaces with diverse, high-quality experiences that spotlight local talent."

• Links: Official City of Joliet Event Page | Joliet Bicentennial Park Facebook | Eventbrite Joliet Poetry Listings | Shaw Local Press Coverage

Rock the Mic: Poetry Unplugged (Downtown Joliet)

• Opportunity Name: Rock the Mic - Poetry Unplugged

• Organizer / Host: Downtown Joliet Heritage Corridor Community Arts & Local Venues

• Location & Address: Downtown Arts District, 9 W. Cass St., Joliet, IL 60432

• Schedule & Frequency: Monthly on select Friday evenings; 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

• Cover Charge / Fee: $5 optional donation / cover

• Eligibility: Open to all poets, acoustic guitarists, and spoken word performers

• Contact Information: Phone: (815) 927-1540

• Significant Details: Provides an acoustic stage in the heart of Downtown Joliet for emerging writers to perform poetry, flash fiction, and spoken word pieces.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: Heritage Corridor Destinations highlighted the event: "Rock the Mic brings intimate acoustic poetry and spoken word directly to Joliet's vibrant downtown arts scene."

• Links: Heritage Corridor Event Page | Downtown Joliet Facebook | Eventbrite Joliet Events | Daily Southtown Feature

2. Annual Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs

"Shades of Noir" & Page-to-Stage Literary Showcase (Joliet & Lockport)

• Opportunity Name: "Shades of Noir" Radio Theater & Page-to-Stage Showcase

• Organizer / Host: WriteOn Joliet & B.L.O.C.K.S. Creative Group

• Location & Address: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre (201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432) and ROXY Lockport (1017 State St., Lockport, IL 60441)

• Schedule & Frequency: Annually in mid-Spring (April) and late Summer (August); 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM showtimes

• Cover Charge / Fee: $5 admission (includes free local anthology copies for early attendees)

• Eligibility: Open to the public; original performative submissions from local collective members

• Contact Information: Email: writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com | Phone: (815) 724-3760

• Significant Details: An immersive radio theater–style performance where local writers perform original poems, mystery stories, and noir monologues with live sound effects.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: Shaw Local News Network featured the gathering: "Now in its fourth year, the production brings together members of the diverse local writers' collective for a live listening experience blending evocative storytelling, poetry and sound."

• Links: WriteOn Joliet Official Website | WriteOn Joliet Facebook Page | Eventbrite Joliet Tickets | Shaw Local Feature Article

3. Poetry Organizations, Guilds & Writers Groups

WriteOn Joliet (Joliet, Crest Hill & Shorewood)

• Opportunity Name: WriteOn Joliet Writers Collective & Critique Circles

• Organizer / Host: WriteOn Joliet Leadership Board (Co-Founders & Event Coordinators)

• Location & Address: Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch (3395 Black Rd., Joliet, IL 60435) & The Timbers of Shorewood (1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood, IL 60404)

• Schedule & Frequency: First & Third Tuesday of every month; 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (plus monthly Zoom options)

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free to attend meetings; tiered membership dues available for anthology publication

• Eligibility: Open to poets, fiction authors, memoirists, and playwriting enthusiasts across Will County

• Contact Information: Email: writeonjolietgroup@gmail.com

• Significant Details: Active across Joliet, Shorewood, Crest Hill, and Lockport, WriteOn Joliet offers peer critiques, book marketing support, and annual anthology publication (Write Where We Are).

• Press Quote & Earned Media: Goodreads Author Blog & Local Media noted: "Regardless of our place in the writing world, WriteOn welcomes everyone looking to write, read and grow... forming a strong marketing arm for Will County authors."

• Links: Official WriteOn Joliet Site | WriteOn Joliet Facebook Group | Meetup Writers Directory | Shaw Local Press Mention

4. Independent New & Used Bookstores

The Book Market Sales & Trading Center (Crest Hill / 2 Miles from Joliet)

• Opportunity Name: The Book Market Sales & Trading Center

• Organizer / Host: Locally owned and operated independent bookstore

• Location & Address: 2365 Plainfield Rd. (Route 30), Crest Hill, IL 60403 (At Gaylord/Caton Farm intersection)

• Schedule & Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free entry; store credit book trading program available

• Eligibility: Open to all readers, poetry collectors, and local authors

• Contact Information: Email: thebookmarketjoliet@gmail.com | Phone: (815) 744-4240

• Significant Details: Operating since 1977, housing over 250,000 new and used titles. Features dedicated poetry racks, local author displays, and monthly author signings in partnership with WriteOn Joliet.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: The Book's the Thing Literary Blog highlighted the shop: "The Book Market has served as the premier literary destination catering to Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood, Romeoville, and Lockport for nearly five decades."

• Links: Official Store Website | The Book Market Facebook Page | Nextdoor Crest Hill Portal | Herald-News Business Feature

5. Public Libraries with Regular Poetry Events & Workshops

Joliet Public Library (Downtown City Center & Black Road Branches)

• Opportunity Name: Open Mic Night & Writing Workshops with Uxmar Torres

• Organizer / Host: Joliet Public Library Adult Services & Joliet Poet Laureate Program

• Location & Address: City Center Branch (150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet, IL 60432) & Black Road Branch (3395 Black Rd., Joliet, IL 60435)

• Schedule & Frequency: Monthly workshops on Thursday evenings (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) and National Poetry Month showcases

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free (Advance registration recommended)

• Eligibility: Open to all community members ages 16+

• Contact Information: Email: WriteWithUxmar@gmail.com | Phone: (815) 740-2660

• Significant Details: Provides generative poetry workshops on rotating themes (e.g., "Ancestors", "Urban Memory") led by Joliet Poet Laureate Uxmar Torres.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: The Herald-News reported: "Joliet's Public Library workshops offer intimate, bilingual creative spaces where residents can explore poetry and hone their written craft."

• Links: Joliet Public Library Event Calendar | Joliet Public Library Facebook | Nextdoor Community Page | The Herald-News Coverage

Plainfield Public Library District (Plainfield / 9 Miles from Joliet)

• Opportunity Name: Plainfield Creative Writing Workshops & Poetry Circles

• Organizer / Host: Plainfield Public Library Reference & Reader Services (Contact: Michelle Roubal)

• Location & Address: 12160 S. Peoria St., Plainfield, IL 60544

• Schedule & Frequency: Select Thursday evenings (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM) and seasonal summer storytelling series

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free

• Eligibility: Open to writers of all experience levels in Plainfield, Joliet, and Shorewood

• Contact Information: Phone: (815) 436-6639

• Significant Details: Connects local writers through craft seminars, poetry tutoring, and collaborative manuscript critique circles.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: Shaw Local News covered the program: "Libraries have always been a second home for writers... Plainfield Public Library provides a supportive environment where people gain feedback and build a true writing community."

• Links: Plainfield Library Website | Plainfield Library Facebook | Eventbrite Library Programs | Shaw Local News Article

6. Poetry Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses

Jet Fuel Review & Windows Fine Arts Magazine (Lewis University - Romeoville / 10 Miles)

• Opportunity Name: Jet Fuel Review & Windows Magazine

• Organizer / Host: Department of English Studies, Lewis University

• Location & Address: 1 University Pkwy., Unit 292, Romeoville, IL 60446

• Schedule & Submissions: Jet Fuel Review accepts international submissions Jan 15 – Mar 15 and Aug 15 – Oct 15; Windows accepts university-affiliated entries through January 30

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free ($0 submission fee)

• Eligibility: Jet Fuel Review is open to international authors; Windows is open to Lewis University students, faculty, and alumni

• Contact Information: Email: windowsmagazine@lewisu.edu | Phone: (815) 838-0500

• Significant Details: Jet Fuel Review is an award-winning national literary journal (CMA Pinnacle Award winner) publishing poetry, artwork, and interviews.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: College Media Association & NCTE recognized the publication as a "Pinnacle Award Four-Year Literary Magazine of the Year and one of the top quality journals for emerging writers."

• Links: Jet Fuel Review Official Website | Windows Magazine Page | Jet Fuel Review Facebook | Submittable Submission Portal

The COMP Magazine (University of St. Francis - Joliet)

• Opportunity Name: The COMP Magazine

• Organizer / Host: Department of Art & Design, University of St. Francis

• Location & Address: 5 E. Van Buren St., Office RS415, Joliet, IL 60435 (Downtown Joliet Campus)

• Schedule & Submissions: Rolling online publication schedule

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free

• Eligibility: Open to regional poets, visual artists, and cultural essayists

• Contact Information: Email: artdesign@stfrancis.edu | Phone: (800) 735-7500

• Significant Details: An online art, design, and culture magazine publishing poetry, literary features, and artist interviews.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: USF Cultural Communications noted: "The COMP Magazine serves as an online arts portal celebrating creative intersections across Joliet and the Midwest."

• Links: Official COMP Magazine Site | University of St. Francis Facebook | COMP Magazine Press Release

7. Poetry Contests, Awards & Poet Laureate Programs

City of Joliet Poet Laureate Program

• Opportunity Name: Joliet Poet Laureate Appointment & Public Honors

• Organizer / Host: City of Joliet Mayor's Office & Cultural Affairs Division

• Location & Address: City Hall, 150 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432

• Schedule & Cycle: Multi-year honorary civic appointment (Inaugural Laureate: Uxmar Torres)

• Cover Charge / Fee: Free application during nomination cycles

• Eligibility: Open to established poets who reside in Joliet and demonstrate commitment to community arts

• Contact Information: Email: WriteWithUxmar@gmail.com | Phone: (815) 724-3760

• Significant Details: The Poet Laureate hosts civic readings, conducts bilingual library workshops, and curates the city's annual National Poetry Month Open Mic.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: The Herald-News Shaw Local highlighted the appointment: "Uxmar Torres, Joliet's inaugural Poet Laureate, has transformed local arts programming, activating venues like Bicentennial Park to give voice to suburban poets."

• Links: City of Joliet Official Web Portal | City of Joliet Facebook | Shaw Local Feature Profile

8. College Writing Programs, Workshops & Community Classes

Creative Writing Courses & Community Education at Joliet Junior College (JJC)

• Opportunity Name: JJC Creative Writing Classes & Community Workshops

• Organizer / Host: Department of English, Philosophy & World Languages, Joliet Junior College

• Location & Address: Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL 60431

• Schedule & Frequency: Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters (Day, Evening, and Online classes)

• Cover Charge / Fee: Standard community college tuition rates for credit courses (e.g., ENG 201 Poetry Writing); $39–$119 for non-credit community workshops

• Eligibility: Open to degree-seeking students and non-credit adult community learners

• Contact Information: Email: communications@jjc.edu | Phone: (815) 280-2200

• Significant Details: Offers course options like ENG 201 (Introduction to Poetry) and non-credit adult creative writing workshops.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: JJC Student Publications Archive noted: "Joliet Junior College has nurtured generations of local writers, providing foundational instruction in poetry aesthetics and literary publishing."

• Links: JJC Academic Department Page | Joliet Junior College Facebook | Eventbrite JJC Events | Daily Southtown Article

Lewis University Creative Writing Major & Workshops (Romeoville / 10 Miles)

• Opportunity Name: B.A. in English - Creative Writing Track

• Organizer / Host: Department of English Studies, Lewis University (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Simone Muench)

• Location & Address: 1 University Pkwy., Romeoville, IL 60446

• Schedule & Frequency: Undergraduate semester courses and campus reading series

• Cover Charge / Fee: Standard university tuition; public reading events free

• Eligibility: Degree-seeking students; select guest readings open to the public

• Contact Information: Email: webmaster@lewisu.edu | Phone: (815) 838-0500

• Significant Details: Provides intensive workshop training in poetry, prose, and literary editing, with direct involvement in publishing Jet Fuel Review.

• Press Quote & Earned Media: Lewis University Academics stated: "Our creative writing program combines rigorous workshop critique with hands-on editorial experience for national publications."

• Links: Lewis English Department | Lewis University Facebook | Eventbrite Lewis Events | Shaw Local Higher Ed Feature