About

Writers & Words

is a Baltimore reading series run by local writers Maria C. Goodson and Cija Jefferson, and supported from afar by Amanda Ponder and Michelle Junot. Four writers are featured each month, one in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and the genre-defying “wild card” category which in the past has included a playwright, a scientist, and a children’s book author (and everything in between). Readings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7pm at Charmington’s Cafe. Writers & Words’ mission is to connect writers to other writers in the Baltimore literary community and beyond. The series was founded in 2014 by local writers Michelle Jonut and Michael B. Tager.

To find out more about becoming a featured reader, please email us at writersandwords@gmail.com

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We have decided not to do virtual readings while the COVID-19 crisis is still going on. This has been a tough decision for us – we love having readings, connecting people, and hearing the variety of different voices that fill our space.

The magic of Writers & Words for us is that in-person connection – being in the cafe, smelling their coffee and awesome food, being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers who might become new friends, watching the light change outside as the night goes on. One of our organizers made a friend at an early Writers & Words by picking a fruit sticker out of the hair (with permission) of the woman sitting in front of her. These are the things we will miss. However, our mission at Writers & Words is to connect writers to other writers and rest assured that we will continue to do just that. Keep a lookout on our website, Facebook page, and Instagram, for events hosted by our wonderful literary community! 

One last thing, something you can do for us – our amazing venue Charmington’s Cafe who has hosted us for 5 years is currently closed, like many coffee shops around the country. If you can, please consider donating to and/or sharing their GoFundMe to help support their staff during this difficult time. They have stayed open late for us for years, been amazing and gracious hosts, and have become dear friends – we want to help them in any way we can. 

 Stay Safe!

Maria C. Goodson  | Managing Editor 

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Maria spends a lot of her time telling people where they should volunteer in Baltimore City, while still finding time to write things, plan things, and, on occasion, actually read a book or two herself. See what she’s up to at www.mariacgoodson.com.

Cija Jefferson  | Hosting Editor

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Cija (pronounced Kia) Jefferson is the author of Sonic Memories, a collection of personal essays. Her work has been featured in HelloGiggles, The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet, Baltimore Fishbowl, and The Flywire. When she is not watching copious amounts of Bravo and HBO, she is reading and, of course, writing.

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Editors Past:

Michelle Junot | Founder & Creative Director

Amanda Ponder | Editing Editor

Michael B. Tager | Editor Emeritus

Ian Anderson | Contributing Editor

Mike Shattuck | Editor at Large

Jessica Welch | Arts Editor