Kim Roberts

May 2026

Gaithersburg Book Festival
4:15 pm - 5:05 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Bohrer Park

Kim participates in the annual Gaithersburg Book Festival, in a panel on anthologies, with Jona Colson, Tony Medina, and Pierre Ramon Thomas. Other presenters include Fran Abrams, Randall Amster, Lisa Couturier, and Sunayna Pal. Inside the Poe Tent. Free admission.

Find Your Story Festival
3:00 am - 4:00 am on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial DC Public Library

Kim moderates a panel on the enduring impact of Essex Hemphill, featuring four writers speaking about their favorite Hemphill poem: Gregory Adams, Regie Cabico, Michelle Parkerson, and Dan Vera. Presented as part of a day-long festival with workshops, panels, and a keynote address. Free admission.

Jun 2026

Hobart Festival of Women Writers
All Day on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Hobart Book Village

Kim participates in the 13th Annual Festival of Women Writers, offering a generative workshop on Writing Pantoums (from 2:30 to 4:30 on Saturday) and a public poetry reading (at 11:30 on Sunday). She is one of 15 writers is all genres featured over a three-day weekend of readings, panels, craft workshops, a book fair, and an exhibit of visual art by local women artists. Fees charged; advance reservations required.

Celebration of Gerardo Diego
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at The Writer’s Center

Book release party for Handbook of Foams/Manual de espumas by Gerardo Diego, translated by Francisco Aragón. Kim will read poems from the book, along with Francisco and four others: Adrian Gaston Garcia, Jose Ballasteros, Teri Ellen Cross Davis, and Dan Vera. Free admission.

Pride Poetry Reading
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Arts Club of Washington

Kim hosts the annual Pride Poetry Reading at the Arts Club of Washington, featuring this year’s five Pride Poetry Fellows: Gregory Adams, Xochi Quetzali Cartland, Marlena Chertock, Nico Peneranda, and Angelique Palmer. Followed by reception and book signing. Free admission.

Capital Love LitFest
11:00 am - 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at

Kim participates in Capital Love LitFest, a day-long celebration of Washington Writers Publishing House, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. The event includes readings, a book fair, and the launch of the new anthology, Capital Love. Kim will be part of the “WWPH Through the Decades” opening panel (from 11:15 to Noon), and will moderate the panel on LGBTQ+ poets (2:00 to 2:45 pm). Pay-as-you-can.

Oct 2026

DiVerse Gaithersburg
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Casey Community Center

Kim reads with Michael Gushue, followed by an open mic. Hosted by Kristin Kowalski Ferragut. Free admission.

Nov 2026

Poets for Science Gathering
All Day on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at

The Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University sponsors a multi-day gathering exploring the intersection of poetry and science through readings, panels, workshops, and a book fair. Kim will lead “Queer Nature, Queer Love: A Generative Poetry Workshop.” In this session, we will look at poems by LGBTQ+ authors who use natural history as a central metaphor to write about love. The intersection of science and romance is a fertile place that many queer writers have claimed as a source of inspiration. Close observation of the natural world reveals a diversity of non-heteronormative biology and behaviors. We will read and discuss model poems (by such writers as Donika Kelly, Minnie Bruce Pratt, and Audre Lorde), then write drafts of our own love poems. Other featured poets at the gathering include: Diane Ackerman, Camille Dungy, Jane Hirschfield, Tracy K. Smith, and Arthur Sze. Fees charged; registration required.

Dec 2026

Thursdays with ESWA: The Delight of Pantoums
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at

Kim leads a free online workshop, sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association, “The Delight of Pantoums.” In this generative workshop, we will explore the surprises and delights of writing pantoums, an ancient Malayan form with repeating lines. Such heavy use of repetition is perfect for exploring obsessive subjects, and also helps us break the usual patterns in our writing. We will read some examples by master poets together, then write drafts of our own pantoums. Registration information coming soon!