June 21, City of Encinitas’ Ocean of Poetry Series, 1pm – 3pm, @ Encinitas library: Carly + Michael + SDPA/Community Open Mic:

Celebrate the summer solstice and Father’s Day with two ocean-loving poets—North County’s own Carly Marie DeMento and surfer Michael Klam. Join them for the release of two new books—the 2025-2026 San Diego Poetry Annual and Klam’s latest collection of poetry and visual art, Stay There, Garden Oak Press: 2026. Read your poetry on the open mic, sign up at the show or ahead of time here: sdpoetryannual@gmail.com.

Carly Marie DeMento is a poet and third-generation San Diegan. Her poetry has appeared in the North American Review, Kestrel, and Green Hills Literary Lantern—and been hung in the best spot of all: friends’ kitchens. Nominated for Best New Poets in 2025, Carly’s work is supported by Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She is the co-creator of Desire, Calling—a reading series that features queer writers, a dance party, and a fundraiser for local nonprofits.

Michael Klam is associate publisher of the San Diego Poetry Annual. He is editor-in-chief of the bilingual edition of the SDPA. Klam hosts San Diego Central Library’s Conversations with Poets. His books include The Cheapest Flight to Paradise (Puna Press: 2017), Anything for a Dull Moment (Garden Oak Press: 2020), and Stay There (Garden Oak Press: 2026).

Come read poems with us!!! Enjoy the reading, buy a book, hang out… any of the above!