Blank Verse is a reading series that supports diverse writers of all ages, levels, genres and performance styles including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and spoken word. Each event will feature local poetry and prose writers, and time for open mic and conversation.

Blank Verse is sponsored by Cracked Walnut, a chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets, which aims to generate love for live literature, community, and creativity.

October's Featured Readers are:

E.H. Drake is an indie author living in Minnesota with her family. She loves dogs, almost anything with vampires, and reading three books at a time. You can find Drake's new books, sample chapters, social media, podcast, and upcoming events at www.EHDrake.com.

Ellie Maureen is a YA and MG author, currently writing book four of her first series, a story of adventure, redemption, and of course a bit of silliness, set in the Amazon Rainforest.

She lives in Minnesota with her family, two cats, and a crazy dog. She’s happiest lost in a forest or a good book. Lover of oddities, popcorn, and animation. Giant Robin Hood, LotR, and Star Wars nerd.

Jodie Leigh Murray is an indie author of romantic suspense and historical romance novels. She grew up in Minnesota and now lives in Buffalo, Minnesota. Jodie has spent most of her life writing. Her debut novel, The Gangster’s Daughter, was one of three 2024 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award finalists for Best First Book. Find her on Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads, and learn more at www.jodieleighmurray.com.

Joe Prosit writes sci-fi, horror, and psycho fiction. His novels include Bad Brains, 99 Town, 7 Androids, Zero City, and most recently Look What You Made Me Do, a psychological slasher horror. He has published many short stories in various magazines and podcasts and compiled them in his short story collection title, Machines Monsters and Maniacs, all of which can be found at www.JoeProsit.com. If you’d like to find the man himself, he’s regularly on the road at cons and events all across the Midwest or lost deep in the Great North Woods. He lives with his wife, kids, and dog in northern Minnesota.

William J. Anderson writes poetry and non-fiction from his home Champlin, Minnesota, right across the Mississippi River from Anoka, the Halloween Capitol of the World, where he was born and raised.  He is a board member of the Cracked Walnut Chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets, and was the lead editor of their 2023 anthology, Rewilding Hope. Active in our writing community, William is the facilitator of the Cracked Walnut Writing Collective, the Blank Verse Reading Series and the 5th Wednesday Reading Series, and a member of the Loft Literary Center, Rain Taxi and the Sisters in Crime.

His alter ego, A. W. Powers, has created the Psychic Guardian Angel series of paranormal thrillers, published by Marlowe and Vane, and writes mysteries and horror. He is trying to understand how his hometown may have influenced his writing, or if it was the ghost that shared their home in North Minneapolis. He can be found at www.wmjanderson.com or www.awpowers-writer.com.

Anoka County Library strives to ensure that all visitors are able to access library resources, services, and programs. Assistive technology and program accommodations are available at many library locations as outlined here. Please call the library branch hosting the program at least two weeks prior to an event if there are additional accommodations we can provide for you to fully participate.