upcoming events

APR 27

2025 Passager Winter Issue Launch

Online via Zoom
2 pm EDT Sunday, April 27

Join us for an online reading and celebration featuring contributors from the new issue of Passager. Conversation and Q&A with the writers to follow.

Register

MAR 23-MAY 4

A Passager Poetry Workshop

Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 3501 Slade Ave. Entrance, Pikesville MD 21208
1-3:00 pm | 5 Sundays March 23, 30, April 6, 27 & May 4

5 sessions with Passager poet Shirley Brewer—an in-person class designed to help you explore your imagination, surprise yourself, and polish your craft.

During this course, you will discuss poems by Passager authors as models for your own writing, enjoy engaging creativity exercises, free-write from tailored prompts, and share your writing among peers in a supportive environment. Features an in-class visit by award-winning Passager author David Bergman (Plain Sight, 2023) for an open conversation about his writing and inspiration, process, and getting published. Join us for creativity, craft and community. 

No prior writing experience necessary—open to anyone age 50 and older who loves to write or wants to get started.

$250 tuition includes a copy of David Bergman’s Plain Sight

Shirley Brewer is a celebrated poet who published her first book with Passager Books (A Little Breast Music) at age 61, after retiring as a speech therapist and reimagining a life centered around creativity and personal exploration. Since then she has published three more books of poetry, Bistro in Another Realm (Main Street Rag), Wild Girls (Apprentice House) and After Words (Apprentice House). Shirley offers valuable experience with publishing, handling rejection, building an audience for your work, and finding your written voice. “I think it was through writing I really got to know myself,” she said. “I just kept diving deeper, finding meaning . . .”

Registration has closed.

recordings

A Reading & Conversation with David Bergman & Jim Magruder

Coming soon! Featuring Passager poet David Bergman (Plain Sight, Passager Books 2023) and novelist Jim Magruder (Vamp Until Ready, Rattling Good Yarns Press 2021). Recorded October 27, 2024.

Passager Poets at the Wellfleet Public Library

Featuring Wilderness Sarchild, Sandy Longley, Fran Markover and Kathy Shorr in Cape Cod, MA. Recorded June 13, 2024.

The 2024 Passager Winter Issue Launch

Contributors from the 2024 Passager Winter Issue read their poems, essays and stories. The reading was followed by a conversation about how poems are born, “failed work,” and rediscovering your voice after 50. Featuring cover artist Diane Dunn. Recorded April 28, 2024.

The 2023 Passager Trauma Issue Launch

PART I | The Reading & Conversation: 18 writers from the 2023 Passager special Winter Issue read their poems, essays and stories related to personal trauma. The reading was followed by a conversation about writing about trauma, the process, the challenges, and the healing. Featuring guest editor Christine Lincoln. Recorded March 26, 2023.

PART II | The Cover: Cover artist Lenett Partlow-Myrick explains all that inspired her piece, “Tears of Radiant Light.” Recorded March 26, 2023.

A Reading by Mark Elber & Conversation with David Keplinger

An online celebration, reading and conversation with Mark Elber, author of Headstone and winner of the 2022 Morgenthau Poetry Prize. Mark was joined by Morgenthau contest judge and poet David Keplinger, who selected Mark’s manuscript. Recorded January 29, 2023.

2022 Passager Poetry Contest Reading

Contributors from the 2022 Poetry Contest Issue read their winning poems, and share their thoughts on creative writing and creative aging during this moment in history. Featuring 2022 Passager Poet David Bergman and cover artist Alma Roberts. Recorded November 13, 2022.

Moments from the Launch of Headstone

Mark Elber reads from Headstone, his 2022 Henry Morgenthau III Poetry Prize-winning book. Recorded October 30, 2022.

Sarah Yerkes Turns 104!

Please join us in celebrating Sarah Yerkes’ 104th birthday with a reading by the poet herself. Recorded April 2022.

2022 Passager Open Issue Reading

A reading of our latest issue. Meet the writers in the issue and make some new literary friends!

Sarah Yerkes Turns 103!

Please join us in celebrating Sarah Yerkes’ 103rd birthday with a reading by the poet herself. Recorded April 2021.

Ox Horn Bend Book Launch

We celebrated the release of Roy Cheng Tsung’s newest memoir, Ox Horn Bend, over Zoom. Readings by Roy and his daughters, and Q&A with the author. Please enjoy the recording, below.

2020 Passager Poetry Contest Reading

An online reading with the 2020 Passager Poetry Contest winner Liz Abrams-Morley and several honorable mentions. If you weren’t able to join us, please enjoy the recording below.

Tidal Wave Launch

We celebrated the winner of the 2020 Henry Morgenthau III Poetry Prize, Dennis H. Lee over Zoom. Please enjoy the recording, below.

POSTPONED: The Music of Poetry

Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave. Baltimore, MD 21208

Passager poets and Baltimore composers in concert! Free and open to the public. This program will be rescheduled at a future date.