Poetry Postcard Fest 2027
Registration IS OPEN
The Poetry Postcard Fest is an annual 56-day experiment in spontaneity and community building. This literarary event is a self-guided workshop in spontaneous composition where people sign up & must send 31 original poems on postcards to folks on a participation list before the end of August. The fest was initiated in 2007 by poets Paul E. Nelson and Lana Ayers, and has grown to include poets participating worldwide. Registration opens annually on September 1.
Poetry as Neuro-Resilience
Explore practices that help keep consciousness attuned to the realities of the world - and discover how poetry can emerge from that depth. In this five-week workshop, Paul E. Nelson guides participants through readings, interviews, journaling, and writing exercise rooted in the Cascadia bioregion. All levels are welcome; openness and a commitment to the practice are all that's required.
Learn more about Poetry as Neuro-Resilience →
Suggested donation: $130–$275
Saturday Cohort
Saturdays 9-11 AM Pacific Time
November 21, 2026 – December 19, 2026
Sunday Cohort
Sundays 3-5 PM Pacific Time
November 22, 2026 – December 20, 2026
How it Works
The fest is a self-guided 56 day workshop in spontaneous composition and community. Click to learn more about How it Works.
Poetry Postcard Fest News
Linda Crosfield Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Linda Crosfield on her experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
Karen Vande Bossche Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Karen Vande Bossche on her experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
Mark Johnson Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Mark Johnson on his experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
Ina Roy Faderman Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Ina Roy Faderman on her experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
Judy Jensen Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Judy Jensen on her experience with the Poetry Postcard Festival.
Daniel Smith Poetry Postcard Fest Interview
Poetry Postcard Fest co-founder Paul Nelson interviews Daniel Smith on his experience with the august POetry POstcard festival.
Five Things I Learned During the 2023 Fest
From Ina Roy-Faderman: It happens every year: despite my having been part of the Fest for more than a decade, I learn things that really matter. I usually jot them down in my journal or diary and...
Register now for PPF 2024!
Register now for Early Bird access to 2024 Poetry Postcard Fest! We had an absolute blast with the 2023 Poetry Postcard Fest, and we hope you did, too! If you have anything you'd like to share...
PPF Companion Piece
From Laura Gamache: Reading through my 2023 POPO poems, I notice the joy. I wrote about quail twice, about the lake moving, and the moon. There were a lot of birds -- LBJ's, as my mom called them, ...
The Poetry Postcard Fest, initiated by poets Paul Nelson and Lana Ayers in 2007, invites participants to create and send 31 original poems on postcards throughout August. The fest emphasizes spontaneity, with poems written in one take directly onto postcards for recipients worldwide. Registration opens annually on September 1, and participants receive a list of fellow poets to exchange cards with. A $15 contribution supports the Cascadia Poetics LAB, and scholarships are available. For more details and resources on postcard poetry, visit How it Works or check out related essays and wrap-ups from past participants.
How the Poetry Postcard Fest Works
Abhaya Thomas Postcard
How the Poetry Postcard Fest Works
The Poetry Postcard Fest, initiated by poets Paul Nelson and Lana Ayers in 2007, invites participants to create and send 31 original poems on postcards throughout August. The fest emphasizes spontaneity, with poems written in one take directly onto postcards for recipients worldwide. Registration opens annually on September 1, and participants receive a list of fellow poets to exchange cards with. A $15 contribution supports the Cascadia Poetics LAB, and scholarships are available. For more details and resources on postcard poetry, visit How it Works or check out related essays and wrap-ups from past participants.
Abhaya Thomas Postcard