English Literature in the Bay Area

Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is a unique and wonderful place to study literature and writing. There is a long history of great writing here. There are exciting poetry and theatre communities. There are great college and university English departments that teach and research literature and writing. There is a strong presence of English teachers committed to social justice education. Go, explore!

Poetry Readings and Events

The website Litseen has an ongoing, up-to-date calendar of poetry readings and literary events in the Bay Area. This calendar includes listings of open-mic nights! The Poetry Center and American Poetry Archive at San Francisco State has many readings and tons of audio and video of readings by poets.

Theatre

The blog Bay Area Plays has a Bay Area Theatre Guide with update lists and links to theatre companies throughout the Bay Area. And don’t forget about Chabot’s Theater Arts Department, which stages plays on campus every semester!

Local English Departments

Check out what some of the local 4-year college and university English departments are doing!