We welcome you to come on Tuesday, December 3rd for our Open Mic Night at 7:00 PM! Sign up on arrival for a ten-minute spot to share your original poetry, prose, or story—you can even bring a selection from your favorite poet/author! So, come on over—share your words, meet local poets, and make some new friends!

Our featured guest, Avis Simmonds, was born on the beautiful Island of St. Christopher, known as St. Kitts, in the Caribbean region. She worked in family law for many years and also worked in the Judicial Office at FAMU. Simmonds was an adviser to international students which encompassed all information about immigration laws and regulations for foreign students coming to study in the US. She is now retired and has published many books and has read her poetry all over the world. Married with three children and a granddaughter, Simmonds loves to travel, read legal novels, crochet, and of course, write. We’re looking forward to having her as our guest on December 3rd here at My Favorite Books!

Our current host, Linda Marie, holds an MFA in painting with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of South Florida, and a BFA from the University of Hawaii. She is a symbolist painter, writer, poet, and playwright. Linda Marie’s poetry has been published in The Texas Observer, Hawaii Review, Blue Hole, and Enigmatist among various other poetry publications. She was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Before moving to Tallahassee, she was the host of Austin Poetry Society’s monthly poetry venue for 6 years. She is enjoying meeting and introducing many local poets, storytellers, as well as writers here in Tally!