#4 Berlin Literary Events: 2 April-2 May 2025
2 April - 2 May
Now here we are already, with the fourth issue of Berlin-based English language literary events. All terms are loosely defined.
(Events with * were added after initial publication and/or were corrected.)
You can sign up for free here, but paid subscriptions or a Kofi are also appreciated or just share with your friends! Thank you 🙏
And if you have a new event for the future, submit it here via Google Forms. The next issue will cover May and should be out approx. 27. April. https://forms.gle/STZGp2GZXiVJj3qr5
For now, here are the categories of primarily English-language literary and other interesting in-person events that have come to my attention. They are listed by date, with a few exceptions.
Happy literating,
Bettina
Submission Opportunities
—Paid submission opportunity. Open call for fiction set in Berlin, 1-6k words. Berlin-based VQ Books. Deadline 31 May. VQ Books is planning to publish an English-language anthology of short stories by international authors. Can be written in any language. If the story is written in a language other than German or English, a two-paragraph description of the content and style must be submitted in addition to the complete text. For each text submitted, it must also be stated whether it has already been published somewhere and who currently holds the rights to it. The fee for texts published in the anthology is €250 per contributor (including translators). Submissions are possible until May 31st by e-mail to anthology@vq-books.eu.
Open Call for Palestinian writers: Literarische Diverse Verlag invites Palestinian writers with a connection to Germany to submit previously unpublished texts for an anthology. All literary genres are welcome: Poetry, prose, essays, experimental texts. Submissions are possible in German, English or Arabic; the deadline for submissions is June 1.
Writing Courses
Berlin Writer’s Workshop:
—Fiction I with Alexander Lumans
Monday, April 7, 2025 7:00 PM Mondays, 19:00-21:00
Tuition: €350
The Reader:
—Writing Course: Writing + Pitching Serialized TV
Course tutor: Will Buckingham
Starts: 1 April on Tuesday evenings, 19:00-21:00 Number of sessions: 8
Where: Another Country Bookshop (Riemannstraße 7, 10961 Berlin) Inaccessible for individuals with mobility impairments.
Cost: €225
Events
—*Poetry Reading: Poetry Göttin der Weisheit
Tuesday, 1 April from 19:00 on at: Göttin der Weisheit, Neukölln Lenaustraße 5, 12047
A new monthly evening of drinks and curated poetry, primarily in English with a focus on the intimate, the invisible, and the unspoken. Interested readers reach out to @mcsilvey or @chee.k.y on Instagram. Multigenerational event. Feel free to reach out with any accommodation needs. Follow @göttinderweisheit for updates on Insta. FREE.
—*LOCATION CHANGE: Meetup/Stammtisch: Join the Berlin Writers' Workshop at erika & hilde for our monthly Writers' Stammtisch, where writers and readers meet and socialize.
Wednesday, 3 April 20:00-23:00 at Keith Bar Schillerpromenade 2 Neukölln, Berlin
—Open Mic: Berlin Spoken Word or Insta
3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th April 2025 - Every Thursday all year, check Insta for the different theme each week.
Each Thursday at 19:00, doors and performer sign-ups open at 7 pm (get there early, it fills up crazy fast) Location: Das Gift, Donaustraße 119, 12043 Berlin
Entry via donation: €2-10
”BSW Open Mic invites but is not limited to spoken word artists, poets, musicians, singer-songwriters, rappers & storytellers. The show is hosted in English, but ALL LANGUAGES WELCOME! The theme is suggested but not mandatory.”
—Bookclub: Another Friday Bookclub. FLINTA only.
Fridays in April 19:00 -21:00 Another Country-Bookshop Riemannstraße 7 10961 Berlin. Insta DM or email: anotherfridaybookclub@gmail.com
—Open Mic Storytelling: SmutSlam Berlin
Berlin’s only community dirty storytelling open mic is back, with this month's theme of "On the Edge"
Monday, 21 April at Crack Bellmer, Revaler Str 99, Berlin
Tickets: €15-20 sliding scale donation per person (adv purchase), or €20 cash at the door. Covid test required. Advance tickets available at Eventbrite.
—Writing Meetup: Writing to music from... [secret soundtrack]
Mondays 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th April 19:00–21:00 at Another Country -Bookshop Riemannstraße 7 10961 “Join a small group of geeky writers while we work downstairs in the sci-fi section of a bookshop called Another Country! We'll keep the lights low and spend roughly 1 hour 30 minutes in deep focus writing our short story/novel/comic book/screenplay/etc. Drinks are available!” FREE but reserve a spot via Eventbrite.
—Writing Lab Session: Women Writing Berlin Lab
Each week, a community member will guide us through different writing prompts/topics. I attended these sessions a few years back and made good friends there, it was always a helpful FLINTA crowd.
Mondays: 7th and 28th April 19:30-21:30 at Cafe Anne Blume 83 Kollwitzstraße
Thursdays 3rd and 24th April 19:30-21:30 at C+ Bakery 35 Falckensteinstraße Berlin
”Events are for community members only. If you are interested in joining the community, go to the community tab in our Facebook page below and please read our Community Guidelines before sending the request.”
—Writer’s Session, with feedback. DNA ArtClub
Mondays: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th April 16:00-18:00 DNA. ART HOUSE Wrangelstraße 25 10997 Berlin 5 Euro for non-members, sign up beforehand via website. Or buy tix on Eventbrite for 6.51 Euro (I guess due to site fees).
—Book Club MeetUp: American Literature Bookclub, Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Tuesday, 8 April, 19:00–21:00. Do not be late. 2 Euros. Maximum 25 participants, so sign up early via Meetup.
Tipperary Irish Pub Berlin Triftstraße 58, 13353 Berlin
—Presentation: What We’ve Written - A Presentation of the First BKS Creative Writing Workshop
Thursday, 10 April 19:00 Lettrétage in der Veteranenstraße 21, Admission free/donation basis
Join the BKS Book Club for a presentation of works created during our first ever Creative Writing Workshop led by acclaimed Berlin-based Croatian author Ivana Sajko. Readings and discussion will take place in "our common language", these days known as Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian. The exact programme will be published closer to the date.
—Performance: KROSS COLLECTIVE presents: CONVERGENCE VII, an evening of immersive performances exploring dialogues between sound, text, and visuals.
Friday, 11 April 20:00 Lettrétage in der Veteranenstraße 21, Admission 12 Euros
—Storytelling Workshop: Find. Craft. Tell. Your Story The Art of Autobiographical Storytelling from The Bear.
Saturday, 12 April 10:00–22:00 Zentrum Danziger 5050 Danziger Straße Berlin 10435
Fee: €160 Maximum participants: 9 Bonus: 90-minute online call before the workshop. To register for the 12-hour workshop, read all about it here.
—Film/screenwriting workshop: Authentic Storytelling Workshop taster session taught by filmmaker Candice Onyeama.
Saturday, 12 April and also 26 April 12:30-14:30 in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Fee 25 Euros. Book via Eventbrite.
—Book Club: DACH Magazine Ukrainian Literature Book Club Berlin 1st meeting
Saturday, 12 April, 16:00 – 18:00 Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz Unter den Linden 8, 10117 Berlin
”We invite you to join the Ukrainian Literature Book Club in Berlin! For our first meeting, we have chosen Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko (more details are available on the website). To ensure a comfortable atmosphere, participation is limited to 10 people. Participation is free. Registration is required via the website.”
—OpenMic+: Tap Water Read/Listen/Workshop
Monday, 14 April, 19:45 at Keith Bar, 19:45 Schillerpromenade 2 in Neukolln, Berlin
”Sign-ups are now OPEN for readers, and this month’s audience workshop is one you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re here to perform, listen, or just soak up the vibes, there’s a seat (and a story) waiting for you. Our readers’ spots always fill up fast, so DM us to sign up or join the waitlist.” Free and open to everyone.
—Writing Meetup: Stone to Silver Writing Night
Monday, 14 April 19:00–21:00 Zweiners Hermannstraße 233, 12049 Berlin Participation donation: €5-15. Register by Email or Eventbrite, all info there.
”Stone to Silver is a writing event inspired by a 'Drink and Draft' event series in New York. We want to create this opportunity for writers, often working in a solitary environment, to practice their craft with others, collaborate, and hang out.”
—Writing Meetup: Read Editing: Monthly Writers Meetup
Monday, 14 April 19:00-21:00 Vagabund Brauerei Kesselhaus Oudenarder Str. 16-20, 13347 Berlin. Free.
”Here, you can join in a more traditional meetup format. We will gather for a combination of solitary writing time, sharing and feedback, and guided exercises. Just show up with some writing materials (or your phone, if you prefer) and if you have pieces you'd like to develop further or receive feedback on, those as well.”
—Meetup for Women: Meetings of the Books Around the World Club
Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 19:00
Contact joanna@beelingotheka.com Meetings of the Books Around the World Club are part of the Berlin project SprachCafé im Ohr and are held in English at SprachCafé Polnisch, Gotenstr. 45, 10829 Berlin. Free admission, buy a drink.
—Book Club: Curious Fox Books
3rd Thursday, 17 April, 19:30 Curious Fox, Lausitzer Platz 17, 10997, Berlin-Kreuzberg
This month’s book: James by Percival Everett. Free.
—Reading and Discussion: The Passenger Seat by Vijay Khurana: Berlin Book Launch
Thursday, 24 April. Doors open at 19:30. Starts at 20:00. Location: Curious Fox, Lausitzer Platz 17, 10997, Berlin-Kreuzberg
Join us for a reading & discussion with Vijay Khurana to launch his debut novel "The Passenger Seat" (Peninsula Press). Vijay will be in conversation with writer & critic Alexander Wells. Free entry.
—Storytelling: THE BEAR presents EXIT - stories of softening. Show host Vishal Jodhani.
Friday, 25 April 20:00-10:30, doors open 7:30 PM Theatersaal im Danzigerstr. 50, 10435 Berlin (follow signs, on first floor) TICKET DONATION: 12.50 Euros General; €10.00 reduced I; 2 volunteers gratis tickets
—Variety Show: Poetic Hafla-Spring Edition
Saturday, 26 April 20:30 Lettrétage in der Veteranenstraße 21, Berlin 15.65 Euro
Poetic Hafla was founded in 2015 by Barack Moyal and Mati Shemoelof,
two Israeli/German artists and authors who live in Berlin. Poetic Hafla
is held mostly in English, Arabic, and Hebrew.
—*Reading: GIRL, SHOW ME THAT BODY (OF WORK): FLINTA* LITERATURE NIGHT #1
Sunday, 27 April 20:00 Lettrétage in der Veteranenstraße 21, Admission Free
”A literary and performance event series centering FLINTA* authors with migration backgrounds in Berlin. It promotes inclusion and diversity in literature, making marginalized voices visible. To kick off the series on April 27, authors Fionnuala Kavanagh, Noemi Veberič Levovnik, Shlomit Lasky and Cemre Öztürk will be guests at Lettretage. Their works deal with experiences of violence against women, fleeing femicide and war, being queer as a woman and being a stranger in a new country. They will read from their texts and talk about sexual violence, sexual identity, gender politics and the struggle for a self-determined life.”
Audience: FLINTA, cultural workers, publishers, international audiences, 18+
—Open Mic: Read Wedding Open Mic for Poetry or Storytelling
Monday, 28 April 19:00-10:00 Hank Chinaski, Koloniestraße 32, 13359 Berlin
Whether you're poetry-curious or a seasoned performer, join us for our monthly open mic night at Hank Chinaski. Share your work (or that of writers you admire) & meet fellow enthusiasts. All written works & languages are welcome. RSVP via Meetup, Eventbrite, or just show up. Online RSVPs DO NOT save performance spots Sign up at the door between 19:00-19:30. Free.
—*Open Mic: Kinky Soul Reading Night is an open stage that provides an inclusive space for kinky self-expression through literature and performance. Register as a reader beforehand.
Tuesday, 29 April 20:00 Womanizer&Co, Torstr 161, 10115 Berlin
Contribution: Reader 10€/ Master.ess 15€ / Sugar 20€
—Theater: Talking About the Fire, Solo Show Chris Thorpe
Friday and Saturday 25 & 26 April 20:00 The English Theater Fidicinstraße 40 10965
Tickets 11 Euro Student, 22 Full
”Nuclear weapons could destroy us all, right now – so why aren’t we talking about them? Talking About The Fire is a one-person show written and performed by Chris Thorpe inspired by his sister-show A Family Business, which draws on several years’ research with senior arms-control advisors, United Nations (UN) diplomats and activists working to develop the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), as well as officials representing nuclear weapons states.”
—*Performance/Poetry Reading: Difrakt The Earthseed Sessions #3
Performance and conversation with Maryam Fazeli | fuuturejazz collective | Satch Hoyt | Arash Qilich.
Saturday, 26 April 18:00, diffrakt | centre for theoretical periphery Crellestraße 22, 10827 Berlin
There will be food and drinks based on donation. Merch available. The event will be conducted in spoken English, but questions and contributions in other languages are welcome and will be translated to the best of our ability.
Accessibility Information:
The venue has an elevator, making the event accessible for wheelchair users without stairs. To use the elevator, please request the access code via the doorbell or contact us in advance at: mail@diffrakt.space. Unfortunately, the restrooms are not wheelchair accessible due to narrow doorways.
SAVE THE DATE
The next and 9th Literature Industry Summit (Literatur Branchentreff) will take place from Thursday May 15 to Saturday 17, 2025: Theme: “My fear and I: Finding security in uncertain times”.
Location: Refugio, Lenaustraße 3-4,12047 Berlin-Neukölln
This is an excellent event full of workshops, presentations, podium talks, parties, networking and more about the literature scene in Berlin. I have attended a few times and it was life-changing. I am not being dramatic, check it out and sign up early, early for events as they fill up quick.
Meetup Groups I recommend:
This women’s reading group meets on two Saturdays a month, and the limit of 25 participants gets met weeks out, so sign up early: www.meetup.com/kreuzberg-womens-book-club/events
This is a more general artist group, and they also host the Sunday Writers Meetup that I enjoyed a lot. Check out their events: https://www.meetup.com/artists-in-berlin/events/
SUAW/Shut Up and Write Meetups
There are Meetups in different neighborhoods of Berlin every day of the week, sometimes even more than one! Great community. Free of charge just need to signup via Meetup, and do so before they fill up. www.meetup.com/shutupandwriteberlin
Promotion Corner
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Such an amazing, comprehensive list - thank you!