Get Lit! is Washington State's longest running literary festival. It takes place each April in Spokane, WA. Get Lit!'s mission is to inspire creativity, celebrate diversity, and showcase the power of the written word.
Each year, Get Lit! presents a diverse lineup of free and low-cost literary events including readings, workshops, on-stage conversations, and much more.
Submissions for Get Lit! 2024 are closed!
Thank you to everyone who submitted event ideas! We are closed for author submissions, but if you are a vendor or group who would like to be part of our Book Fair, we do still have spaces available. Please contact getlit@ewu.edu to secure your spot. Our Book Fair will take place Saturday, April 13th from 9-5pm at the Montvale Event Center.
Our goal is to respond to all submissions by December 1, though we will try to get back to everyone as quickly as possible. Thank you again for applying!
For inspiration, tune in to Get Lit!'s YouTube Channel to watch hundreds of hours of virtual festival programming. The 2023 Virtual Events include The Mind, The Body, The Writer, The Lost Horse Press Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry Series, EWU MFA Around the Globe, and more!
Virtual events from past years are available to watch as well and feature writers including Robin Wall Kimmerer, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Jess Walter, and others.
Also, check out our 2023 authors and schedule below and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with the latest festival news.
Get Lit!'s 25th Anniversary Festival
Thursday, April 20, 2023 - Sunday, April 23, 2023
Thank you for joining us in celebrating 25 years of the Get Lit! Festival! This year we had four full days of readings, writing workshops, craft classes, open mics, panel discussions, literary happy hours, and more— offered for free or at low-cost. Each year brings a diverse lineup of highly sought-after authors to our region, while also highlighting our local literary talent. This year, the current U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón was one of our headlining authors.
2023 Headlining Events
Women Writing in Full Color with Toni Jensen, Jane Wong, & CMarie Fuhrman
Friday, April 21st @ 7:00 PM
At The Spokane Central Library
This event is FREE & open to the public
An Evening with US Poet Laureate Ada Limón, Laura Read, & Gabrielle Bates
Saturday, April 22nd @ 7:00 PM
At The Bing Crosby Theater
Spokane Stories with Jess Walter & Leyna Krow
Sunday, April 23rd @ 7:00 PM
At The Spokane Central Library
This event is FREE & open to the public
2023 Book Fair and Events Pass
This ticket covers entry into our weekend festival hub, The Montvale Event Center, which hosts two full days of Book Fair and 17 events including readings, on-stage conversations, our annual Poetry Salon, a LIVE Dungeons & Dragons game, and so much more! This pass covers entry for both Saturday and Sunday and allows you to come and go as you please.
2023 Craft Classes
No Such Thing As a Dumb Idea: A Non-Fiction Craft Class with Leah Sottile
The Parent-Child Relationship in Fiction: A Fiction Craft Class with Sindya Bhanoo
Make Something from Nothing: How to Start a Poem: A Poetry Craft Class with Ada Limón
Combining the Personal and The Political: Weaving Your Stories with the World's News: A Non-Fiction Craft Class with Toni Jensen
Inspired Partnerships Program
Since 2017, local bars and restaurants have created drinks inspired by Get Lit! authors and donated $1 from each sale back to the festival.
