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
Daysong Workshops THIS WEEK!
Daysong Workshops This Week! Join us for online workshops focusing on the Daysong practice of writing a poem for an entire day this Thursday, January 22, and Sunday, January 25, both 3-5 PM PST. The...
What are you of? Poetry Exercise
What Are You Of? We want to share exercises for you to continue to practice poetry in mythic ways outside of workshops and the Poetry Postcard Fest! Get to the roots of who you are, where you're...
Hello 2026!
Happy New Year from Cascadia Poetics Lab! Happy New Year! Thank you for another successful and enriching year for poetry and place in Cascadia! This year, we introduced new in-person and online...
Postcard Poetry Group
Join the Postcard Poetry Group! Can't wait until the next PPF to start sending postcard poetry? Join the postcard poetry group! Postcard poet Barbara Robinette has gathered a small group of poets...
At First, I Was So In Love I Didn’t Think About It by Martha Clarkson
Postcard Poems by Martha Clarkson Postcard poet Martha Clarkson published some of her postcard poems from 2025 in Hobart Pulp last week! Congratulations on the publication, Martha! We're so glad the...
Exercise as a Prerequisite to Creativity – Sue Diewert on PPF
PPF 2025 poet Sue Diewert published a piece on the Poetry Postcard Fest in Sage-ing: The Journal of Creative Aging! You can read Sue's piece and see her PPF 2025 postcards below. Thank you for your...
Postcards at Kubota Garden
Free Poetry Postcard Collage workshop and tour of Kubota Garden supported by 4Culture.
Postcards at yəhaw̓’ (Indigenous Creatives Collective) in Rainier Beach
Poetry Postcard Activation at yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective April 1 2026 from 6-7pm.
Volunteers Need for Postcard Activations + CPL News
News about Poetry Postcard Activations in Rainier Beach, a new Rainier Beach Arts Roundtable and the recent CPL board decision to lay off all staff.
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