Kentucky Writers’ Day
Kentucky Writers’ Day 2026
The Kentucky Arts Council will present Kentucky Writers’ Day, an annual celebration of the literary arts in Kentucky, on Friday, April 24, at 11 a.m. Eastern. The event will take place in the Brown-Forman Room at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, 100 W. Broadway St. in Frankfort. Kentucky Poet Laureate Kathleen Driskell, former poets laureate George Ella Lyon, Maureen Morehead, Sena Jeter Naslund, Joe Survant, Richard Taylor, and Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Esme Morris will read. The Kentucky Writers’ Day celebration is free to the public and will be followed by a light reception.
Schedule of Events
11:00 a.m.
Kentucky Writers’ Day Ceremony
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Brown-Forman Kentucky Room
noon
Public Reception
Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, Brown-Forman Kentucky Room
After the Kentucky Writers’ Day Ceremony and reception, enjoy lunch at one of downtown Frankfort’s restaurants.
1:30 p.m.
Kentucky Poets Laureate Readings, Paul Sawyier Public Library, River Room
Create Your Own Community Celebration
The Kentucky Arts Council encourages those interested in celebrating Kentucky Writers’ Day, but unable to attend the ceremony in Frankfort, to create their own event. Consult the free Writers’ Day Planning Guide for ideas suitable for schools, colleges and universities, organizations, businesses, writing and reading groups, community centers, nursing homes and senior centers, and state and local agencies.
History of Kentucky Writers’ Day
The Kentucky General Assembly established Kentucky Writers’ Day in 1990 to honor Kentucky’s strong literary tradition and to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Kentucky native Robert Penn Warren, who was born on April 24, 1905, in Guthrie (Todd County), Kentucky. Robert Penn Warren was named the first U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry in 1986 and winner of three Pulitzer prizes.