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
Postcard Poem Inspiration from Robert Duncan
Are you looking for inspiration for you next poetry postcard? Take a page from Robert Duncan, a devotee of Hilda "H.D." Doolittle and a key figure in the San Francisco Renaissance. In Towards an...
Poetry From Journalism Exercise
Poetry From Journalism Exercise The news is chaotic and constant these days, but this week we bring you an exercise that can help you harness it for your poetry this week- straight from one of our...
To AI or Not to AI (Definitely Not)
To AI or Not to AI? (Definitely not.) From Postcard Poet Kathy Paul: I’ve loved participating in the summer Poetry Postcard Fest since I first heard about it in 2014 or 2015. I’ve introduced several...
Personal Universe Deck Poetry Practice
Last week we brought you some inspiration from our 2024 Life As Rehearsal For the Poem and Poetics As Cosmology course, and this week we have something from a course from earlier this year to help...
PPF Poet Eleanor Keisman Publishes Novella
Poetry Postcard Fest poet Eleanor Keisman is publishing a climate fiction novella entitled New Animal through Broken Tribe Press. Congratulations Eleanor! "It’s the year 2081, and the world is in...
A Writing Exercise for Postcard Poets!
We’re in the thick of it now! The Poetry Postcard Fest has gotten off to a great start, and we’re starting to see the postcards roll in- but for some this is the exact moment when writers block sets...
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...
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