Kimberly Simms can be seen at a variety of virtual, televised, and in-person events across the South East. For bookings please email kimberlysimmspoet@gmail.com
Carolina Poets. Kimberly J Simms hosts and curates Carolina Poet's #PoetryGoesViral every fourth Thursday at www.youtube.com/c/carolinapoets or on Facebook.
2024 - 2022
November 22nd. Same Faces Collective. Issue launch. Invited reader.
September 29th: Slam Jam Feature, New Hampshire. Virtual Zoom.
July 15th, 2024. Facilitator “What is Arts Integration?” 2-hour workshop at the SmartARTS Education Institute at the Fine Arts Center Greenville with local Greenville County Teachers. Workshop included a creative writing element.
May 21st, 2024. Emcee of the Carolina Slam Tour at Coffee Underground featuring poets from Upstate, Midlands, and Low Country. Included sharing my own poem.
May 17th, 2024. Local Legends Alchemy Comedy featured reader. Read my original poems to inspire improv comedy.
May 6th, 2024. Featured headline reader at the South Carolina Poetry Society’s new reading series, “Every Corner, Every County” in Georgetown, SC. Also taught an afternoon workshop.
April 18th, 2024. NC Literary Review and NC Humanities Council, “Poem in Your Pocket Day” Poetry Reading. Invited reader.
April 17th, 2024. Carl Sandburg NHS Poetry Workshop facilitator including a reading of my original poetry.
March 28th, 2024. Other Folk Greenville at the Wandering Mead “Hand picked artists in an intentional listening space”. Featured artist: poetry.
March 21st, 2024. Visual and Verse Reading. Invited reader at the MAC Gallery. Greenville.
February 6 - 15, 2024. Campobello Gramling School. Artist in Residence with 7th Grade. Included reading my poetry for the students and helping them write their own.
January 25th, 2024. Burns Night Greenville. Emcee and featured poet.
January 2024. Artist-in-residence at League Academy to coordinate and lead a poetry slam with the entire 8th grade including leading students in writing and performing their own original poems. Also included me sharing my own original poetry with the students.
January 13th South Carolina Poetry Out Loud Judge for regional virtual competition.
September 7th, 2023. Greenlink Poetry Project Launch Invited Reader at M Judson.
March 7th, 2023. “Duet” Poetry Reading. Featured reader. Curated by WM Epes.
October 9th, 2022, Wits End Poetry 20th Anniversary Celebration. Invited reader.
April 2022. Irmo Branch Library. “Well Written: Cooking Up Poetry” Workshop.
January 2022. Greenville Center for Creative Arts. “Talking to Grief, Finding Healing Through Poetry Workshop.”
2021
Greenville Author Expo
January 7th, 2021
Greenville County Library Virtual Event.
Writer in Residence at Campobello Gramling School
February 2 - 19th, 2021
Landrum, SC
Kimberly will work with the 8th grade to create their own poems and participate in a poetry slam.
Poetry Workshop for Students, Virtual
February 22nd, 2021
Pat Conroy Literary Center
Poetry Workshop Virtual
February 27th, 2021 9 am to 11am
Alabama State Poetry Society
Poetry Out Loud State Competition
March 6th, 2020 3:00pm
Kimberly will be judging the state-wide competition sponsored by the SCAC and NEA.
This event will now take place virtually.
Writer in Residence at League Academy
March, 2021
Greenville, SC
Fall 2020
Appearance on PBS WNTV Channel 29.
October 21st, 2020
April 2020: National Poetry Month!
History and Book Talk with Kimberly Simms
April 1st, 2020
Irmo Branch Library. Irmo, SC
In honor of National Poetry Month, we will host Kimberly Simms, an author and poet who will give a 20-minute reading, q/a session and book signing. Books will be available for purchase.
POSTPONED
Poetry Goes Viral at Carolina Poets
April 12th, 2020 7:00
Virtual poetry reading on Facebook featuring Kimberly Simms, Al Black, and Robert Lee Kendrick.
https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaPoets/
Trio Book Tour, NC
April 21st, 2020 6:00 pm
Sherrills Ford Library, Terrell Branch
9154 Sherrils Ford Rd, Sherrills Ford, NC
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Discovering SC through Poetry with Kimberly Simms
April 23rd, 2020 6:30
Hampton Memorial Library, Easley SC
Poetry reading and talk with Kimberly Simms
https://pickenscountylibrarysystem.com/hampton-memorial-library-events/
THIS EVENT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE VIRTUALLY.
SPONSORED BY THE SC HUMANITIES COUNCIL
Poetry Out Loud State Competition
April 25th, 2020 3:00pm
Kimberly will be judging the state-wide competition sponsored by the SCAC and NEA.
This event will now take place virtually.
Trio Book Tour, GA
May 19th, 2020 7:00 pm
Bookish Independent Book Store
1188 Glenwood Ave SE, Unit A, Atlanta, GA
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Trio Book Tour, NC
June 16, 2020, 7:00 pm
Page 158 Bookstore
415 Brooks Street, Unit B.
Wake Forest, NC
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Trio Book Tour, GA
July 20, 2020, 7:00 pm
The Book Exchange
2932 Canton Rd Unit 220
Marietta, GA
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
For bookings please email kimberlysimmspoet@gmail.com. Due to Kimberly's role as Director of Arts Education for the Metropolitan Arts Council, she is no longer able to accept week-long school residencies.
Recent Past Events
Winter 2020
Trio Book Tour, SC
January 21st, 2020 7:00 pm
Buxton Bookstore
King Street, Charleston, SC
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Greenville Author Expo
January 24th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Greenville County Main Library, Greenville, SC
Kimberly will appear and sign books.
School Residency
February 10th - March 3rdLeague Academy, Greenville, SC
Writing tribute poems about resilient people with Kimberly Simms
SmartARTS Residency
Trio Book Tour, NC
February 18th, 2020 7:00 pm
Foggy Pines Bookstore
471 King Street, Boone NC
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Trio Book Tour, GA
March 24th, 2020 7:00 pm
Southern Fried Books
29 Jackson Street, Newnan GA
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
http://shari-smith.com/trio-2020/
Fall 2019
Becoming Americans: STEAM Writing Workshop
Friday, December 20th, 10:00 am and 11:00 am
Charleston, SC
The Charleston Museum
Workshop for Homeschool Students
Trio Live at SIBA Book Discovery Showcase
September 12th, 9pm to 11pm
Spartanburg, SC
Marriott Hotel
Reading by Kimberly Simms with artist/musician
Archive Reading
Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6:30
Aiken, SC
USC-Aiken campus
Reading by Kimberly Simms and others from Archive Book
Spring 2019
World Speech Day Celebration
Travelers Rest, SC
Furman University.
Poetry Performance by Kimberly J SimmsMarch 14th, 2019 6:00 pm
Deckle Edge Book Festival
Columbia, SC.
Archive Book Reading and Signing featuring Kimberly Simms
March 23rd, 2019
Classroom Visit
Daniel High School, Pickens, SC
Poetry Talk
May 10th, 1pm
Winter 2019
Malaprop's Bookstore
NCLR Reading. Asheville, NC
Kimberly was a finalist for the James Applewhite Prize.
February 3rd, 12:30 pm
School Residency
Stone Academy, Greenville, SC
Writing historical monologues with Kimberly Simms
February - March
First Wednesday Art Breakfast Club
Hendersonville, NC
Dixie Diner, 174 Brevard Road/Highway 64, Laurel Park, NC.
History and Poetry Talk with Kimberly Simms
March 6th, 2019 9:00 am
Poetry Out Loud SC State 2019
Richland County Library, Columbia, SC
Kimberly will judge and perform at the SC State Finals 2019.
March 9th 2:30 pm
Fall 2018
September 2018
Hungry Drover: Archive Reading
Greenville, SC.
Featured reading and book signing
August 18, 2018
https://news.furman.edu/2018/08/07/readings-set-for-archive-new-anthology-of-south-carolina-poetry/
Decatur Book Festival
Decatur, GA.
Featured reading, panel talk, exhibitor, and book signing
September 1-2 2018
https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/presenters/view/5b05910c04d3e2679df8138d
Travelers Rest UMC
Travelers Rest, SC.
Featured reading and book signing
September 20 2018
Art of Slam. Writing Workshops
Artistry Gallery. Greenville, SC
Workshop Leader
September 29, 2018
October & November 2018
Clemson Central Library: Archive Reading
Clemson, SC.
Featured reading and book signing
October 14, 2018 3:00 pm
105 Commons Way in Central, SC
Carl Sandburg NHS 50th Anniversary Celebration
Flatrock, NC.
Featured reading of the works of Carl Sandburg
October 17, 2018 2:00 - 4:00 pm
105 Commons Way in Central, SC
University of South Carolina
COLUMBIA
Featured reading and booksigning.
Thursday November 8th, 2018 11:40 - 1:30pm
Humanities Building, USC Campus
Summer 2018
GCSD Summer Academy
GREENVILLE, SC.
Facilitator.
SMARTarts Arts Integration Training
July 23-26. Fine Arts Center
(For teachers by registration)
August 2018
Writer's Night Out
BLAIRSVILLE, GA.
Featured reading and booksigning
Friday, August 10 2018 6 pm
Netwest Writer's and Poets
Union County Community Center
http://www.glendacouncilbeall.com/2018/03/writers-night-out-announces-2018.html#.WtST74jwbt8
April
Bones of the Sprit
COLUMBIA, SC.
Reading with Kimberly J Simms and Ed Madden
Sunday, April 15th, 1pm
Rooted in Well Being Yoga Studio
2917 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC
Palmetto Scribe
COLUMBIA, SC.
Regional Author Book Event
Saturday, April 28 2018 2 pm - 5pm
Irmo Branch Library
6251 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
COLUMBIA, SC.
Poetry Reading and Beltane Arts Celebration
Sunday, April 29 2018 11am
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Heyward Street, Columbia, SC
May 2018
Train Day at the Depot
SPARTANBURG, SC.
Book signing and reading as part of festival
Saturday, May 12 2018 2 pm - 5pm
Hub City Railway Museum
Amtrak Station, 298 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg
Georgia Center for the Book
DECATUR, GA.
Book signing and reading as part of Decatur Arts festival
May 22nd. 7:15
Decatur Library 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
https://www.pw.org/literary_events/kimberly_simms
School Appearances 2017 - 2018 These events are not open to the public.
September - November FAYETTEVILLE, GA.
Residency sponsored by Alliance Theatre.
Spring Hill Elementary. 4th & 5th Grade.
Every Monday until November 6th.
December 1 - 19 GREENVILLE, SC.
Residency sponsored by MAC's SmartARTS.
J Fisher Middle School. 8th Grade English.
December 1, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 19.
January 8-30 GREENVILLE, SC.
Residency sponsored by MAC's SmartARTS.
League Academy. 8th grade Communications.
January 8, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 29, 30.
January 19 - February 8 GREENVILLE, SC.
Residency sponsored by SmartARTS.
League Academy. 8th grade English.
January 19, 31. February 1-8.
April 1-8 2018 Metro Atlanta Spring Break
January 2018
Poetry at Kava Connection
GREENVILLE, SC. Rescheduled to 1/31
Writer's event featuring Kimberly J Simms
Wedneady, January 31, 2018 8pm
Kava Connection. Greenville, SC
Wade Hampton Blvd.
NCWN-West Monthly Event
HENDERSONVILLE, NC. Rescheduled to 1/22
Writer's event featuring Kimberly J Simms
sponsored by NC Writer's Network. Plus Open Mic
Monday, January 22, 2018 5:30
Henderson Co. Public Library 301 N Washington Street,
Hendersonville, NC.
PRE-ORDER BOOK TO PICK UP AT EVENT.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-ticket-author-kimberly-j-simms-ncwn-open-mic-tickets-42395050738
February 2018
Emrys Reading Room
GREENVILLE, SC.
Book reading & signing sponsored by the Emrys Foundation
Monday, February 26, 2018
Joe's Place. Books. Wine. Art.
Williams Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Amelia Island Book Festival
AMELIA ISLAND, FL
Author Expo/Reader's Extravaganza
Saturday, February 17, 2018 10 am to 5 pm
Fernandina Beach Middle School
315 Citrona Drive. Fernandina Beach, FL
The Decatur Book Festival
ATLANTA, GA.
Reading presented by Java Monkey
Saturday, September 2nd, 2017 11:30 am
Java Monkey Coffee. 425 Church St, Decatur, GA
www.decaturbookfestival.com
Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival
AUGUSTA, GA.
First annual Author's Alley sponsored by The Book Tavern
Sunday, September 17, 2017 3:30 pm
Lobby of the JB White’s Building. The Book Tavern.
936 Broad Street, Suite 101, Augusta, GA 30901
http://artsintheheartofaugusta.com/
Berry Fleming Book Festival.
AUGUSTA, GA.
Southern Poetry Panel sponsored by Poetry Matters Project
Featuring Kimberly J Simms, Anthony Carter, and Marcus Amaker.
Saturday, September 23, 2017 11:00 am
Augusta University Summerville Campus.
Jaguar Student Activity Center. Hardy Room.
berryflemingbookfestival.com/
Aiken County Historical Museum.
AIKEN, SC.
Featured Reading sponsored by Poetry
Matters Project & SC Humanities Council.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
433 Newberry St. SW Aiken, SC
www.aikencountyhistoricalmuseum.org
March 2018
Deckle Edge Festival
COLUMBIA, SC.
Panel Discussion
Saturday, March 3 2018 Time TBD
Richland County Main Library
1431 Assembly St, Columbia, SC
Callanwolde Poetry Series
ATLANTA, GA
Featured reading and book signing.
Thursday March 8, 2017
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
980 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306
Speaker @ the Center
COLUMBIA, SC.
Featured reading and podcast
Sponsored by the South Carolina State Library
Thursday, March 22, 2018 12:00pm
South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, Columbia.
Dahlonega Lit Fest
DAHLONEGA, GA.
Book festival including book signing.
Saturday, March 24, 2018 9:00 am - 4:30
Dahlonega Baptist Church
234 Hawkins St. Dahlonega, GA 30533
October 2017
Charleston Museum
CHARLESTON, SC.
Forces of Nature: STEAM Workshop sponsored by SC Humanities
Friday, October 6th, 2017.10:00 - 11:00 am. FREE
Home School Education Program. Elementary.
360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
https://www.charlestonmuseum.org/
Free Verse Poetry Festival
CHARLESTON, SC.
Featured reading sponsored by Unspoken Word.
Saturday, October 7th, 2017. 7:00 pm
Eclectic Cafe & Vinyl
132 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
https://www.facebook.com/FreeVerseFestival/
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY.
GREENVILLE, SC. Private Event.
Launch party sponsored by Wits End Poetry.
Featuring the live music, a poetry reading, book signing, and refreshments.
Sunday, October 15th, 2017.
By Invitation. Email witsendpoetrysc@gmail.com.
Charis Books. Atlanta Book Debut.
ATLANTA, GA.
Reading sponsored by Cliterati.
Thursday October 19, 2017. 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
The night will feature wine, nibbles, a reading by the author, door prizes, and fun!
Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
https://www.chariscircle.org/
Furman Homecoming Alumni Book Signing
GREENVILLE, SC.
Book signing sponsored by Furman Alumni.
Saturday, October 21 2017 11 am to 1 pm.
Furman’s Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
Student center by the lake.
3300 Poinsett Highway Greenville, SC 29613
alumni.furman.edu/homecoming/schedule-of-events
Book Launch at Hub City Bookshop.
SPARTANBURG, SC.
Book Launch sponsored by Hub City.
Saturday October 21, 2017. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
The night will feature wine, nibbles, a reading by the author, door prizes, and fun!
186 West Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.
hubcity.org/bookshop/
November 2017
Greenville Cultural Exchange Museum
GREENVILLE, SC.
Changing Landscapes Art Event Sponsored by ArtHaux
Saturday November 4, 2017. 7:00 pm.
Music, art, and poetry featuring Kimberly J Simms.
700 Arlington Ave, Greenville, SC 29601
Poetrio at Malaprops
ASHEVILLE, NC.
Reading by 3 poets including Kimberly J Simms sponsored by Malaprops.
Sunday November 5, 2017. 3:00 pm.
Monthly poetry reading with three poets
55 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC.
http://www.malaprops.com
Peachtree City Branch Library
PEACHTREE CITY, GA
Book Talk and Signing sponsored by Fayette County Library System.
Thursday November 30, 2017. 7 pm to 8 pm.
201 Willowbend Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30269
www.greenvillelibrary.org/locations/travelers-rest
DECEMBER 2017
TRAVELERS REST BRANCH LIBRARY
TRAVELERS REST, SC.
Book Talk and Signing sponsored by GCLS
Thursday December 7, 2017. 7 pm to 8 pm.
17 Center Street. Travelers Rest, SC 29690
www.greenvillelibrary.org/locations/travelers-rest
ASHEVILLE POETRY SERIES
ASHEVILLE, NC.
Reading and Signing followed by Open Mic
Monday December 18, 2017. 7:30 pm . Doors 7:00pm
The Block off Biltmore
39 S Market Street, Asheville, NC
(Formerly Altamont Poetry Series)
SUMMER 2017
7/30
CHICAGO, IL.
Uptown Poetry Slam. Featured poet Kimberly J Simms. Green Mill Jazz Club, Chicago. 4802 North Broadway Ave. http://greenmilljazz.com/calendar/
8/6
COLUMBIA, SC.
Fall Lines Release Celebration featuring Kimberly J Simms. Richland Library 3 - 4:30pm.
6/14
PRIVATE EVENT. Young Writers Camp. Speaker. 1:30
http://www.clemson.edu/upstate-writing-project/camps/
*Sponsored by the Upstate Writing Project and Clemson University
6/14
ASHEVILLE, NC Live Poetry Reading with Open Mic. Noble Kava 268 Biltmore Ave. Featured reader. 8:00 pm
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PoetryOpenMicAvl/
6/15
PRIVATE EVENT. New SmartARTS Artist Information Meeting. 5:30 The Metropolitan Arts Council. 1 Augusta Street.
http://www.greenvillearts.com/mac-programs/smartarts/
7/18 ATLANTA, GA. Master of Ceremonies/Host Kimberly J Simms for the Art Amok Lip Synch Slam (Charity Fundraiser). Red Light Cafe. 8 pm. $10. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-amok-lip-sync-slam-tickets-36228427201#
June
PRIVATE EVENT. June 26-28. SmartARTS Summer Institute. FAC. Creative Writing Immersion Facilitator. http://www.greenvillearts.com/mac-programs/smartarts/
July PRIVATE EVENT. GREENVILLE, SC. 2017 July 24-27. SmartARTS Arts Integration Institute. Facilitator Kimberly J Simms leads Creative Writing Immersion and Google Classroom Training. FAC. http://www.greenvillearts.com/
7/29
CHICAGO, IL. Backyard Celebration: Reading and Party headlining Kimberly J Simms. Plus Special Guests. 945 West 32nd Street, Chicago, IL
A full listing of past events is available at:
http://www.kimberlysimms.com/p/appearances.html