October 10, 2026 - Charlotte Digregorio & Trudy Kleckner Reading + Poetry Open-Mic
Saturday, October 10, 2026
4 - 6 PM
@ Secret World Books
1774 Second Street, Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park Poetry welcomes Charlotte Digregorio, author of Wondrous Instruction and Advice from Global Poets: How to Write and Publish Moving Poems and Books and Publicize Like a Pro, and Trudy Kleckner, author of Recalibrations, as our featured poets on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 4PM. Open-mic follows.
Charlotte Digregorio is the author of nine award-winning books, two of which were Featured Selections of Writer’s Digest Book Club. Her three latest books are: Wondrous Instruction and Advice from Global Poets (Subtitle) How to Write and Publish Moving Poems and Books and Publicize Like a Pro; Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All; and Ripples of Air: Poems of Healing. Winner of eighty-three poetry awards and nominee for four Pushcart Prizes, she writes seventeen poetic forms. Digregorio is active in judging international writer’s contests and is a keynote speaker at writer’s conferences throughout the U.S. You can find her top-ranked writer’s blog at www.charlottedigregorio.wordpress.com which features global poets.
After raising a family, and a long career as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Trudy Kleckner began to write poetry. This new endeavor married her former interests to her love of the natural world. For Those Who Mourn (Friesen Press, 2026) is her fourth book. She has also published Paper Airplanes, Riding The Rainbow, and Bring Light.
Open-mic follows features. Come a few minutes early to sign up for the line-up. Poets may bring up to three short poems to share; however, Highland Park Poetry reserves the right to limit that number so that all participants have a chance to read.
The event takes place at Secret World Books, 1774 Second Street. There is free parking for up to three hours in the Port Clinton Underground Garage (entrance on Laurel Avenue, between First and Second Street).
There is no cover fee; however, we hope that you will support the authors and buy a book as well as support local Highland Park businesses that support us and poetry.
Open-mic follows features. Come a few minutes early to sign up for the line-up. Poets may bring up to three short poems to share; however, Highland Park Poetry reserves the right to limit that number so that all participants have a chance to read.
The event takes place at Secret World Books, 1774 Second Street. There is free parking for up to three hours in the Port Clinton Underground Garage (entrance on Laurel Avenue, between First and Second Street).
There is no cover fee; however, we hope that you will support the authors and buy a book as well as support local Highland Park businesses that support us and poetry.
Upcoming Dates for Readings & Open-Mics at Secret World Books, 1774 Second Street, Highland Park, IL
October 10, 2026 - Charlotte Digregorio & Trudy Kleckner
November 14, 2026 -Jessica L. Walsh & Jennifer Dotson
December 12, 2026 - William T. Carey & Cynthia T. Hahn
January 9, 2027 - Naoko Fujimoto & Faith Urbanik
February 13, 2027 - TBD
March 13, 2027 - Mike Freveletti
April 10, 2027 - Ruth Goring
May 8, 2027 - Susen B. James & Pamela Miller
June 12, 2027 - TBD
If you are interested in becoming a featured poet, please reach out to inquire about available dates for 2027.
Other Local Poetry Events & Opportunities
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Some of these events are not hosted by Highland Park Poetry but we are pleased to share this information with our friends and followers.
