CityLit creates events and programs at venues throughout Baltimore, spreading the joy of literature, amplifying diverse voices and mixing genres with musical guest artists, while changing the dynamics of the literary arts.
While we have our signature events, when the ‘climate’ warrants it, we will address a need. Hence, Writers Resist, and Well Read Black Girl. We embrace collaborations and partnerships.
CityLit Festival
The free CityLit Festival is our signature event. Presented every spring, the Festival anchors a family of programs that instill and sustain a life-long love of literature. The Festival showcases regional and national poets and writers with editorial critique sessions, 90-minute craft intensives, a master class, and several sessions addressing timely and critical issues of importance to a vast and inclusive literary community.
CityLit Stage
As part of Brilliant Baltimore, the return of the Baltimore Book Festival each fall, the CityLit Stage is an extended presentation of quality, diverse programming over the course of three days, including a master class and musical guest artists. Free.
CityLit Studio
Writing on Craft, Creativity & Community: A writer-to-writer exchange of germane information, featuring two prominent authors dishing craft gems and ways to build community. Expect written takeaways to feed your spirit and a Q & A that invites writers to get vulnerable in a ‘brave’ safe space and ask the question. Yes, that one.
CityLit Press
CityLit Press, including the Harriss Poetry Prize Chapbook Competition: A national, bi-annual contest with prize money, a published book and an opportunity to be featured at a CityLit event, with series editor Kwame Alexander.
Dambach Award Presentation
Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts is named in honor of CityLit Founding Board Chair Charles (Chic) Dambach, whose wide-ranging career includes President of the Alliance for Peacebuilding and President of the National Peace Corps Association. Past awardees include Kwame Alexander (2018), and Judy Cooper (2017).