In this video, we sit down with Dr. Ann Buxie, 4th Poet Laureate of Malibu. Ann has been inspiring the community through spoken and written word for more than 25 years, putting on programs like Poetry by the Sea, Tales by the Sea, and Verse About Town. Ann is not only a brilliant poet, but a truly special person, and valued friend. We’re so honored to feature her work in this video.

In this video, we sit down with the charismatic, award-winning poet and novelist, Kareem Tayyar. Tayyar was born in Los Angeles to an Iranian father and an Irish Catholic mother and was raised in Orange County. Check out Kareem’s inspiring works below:.

📚 BUY KAREEM’S BOOKS:
- Let us Now Praise Ordinary Things
- Keats in San Francisco
- The Revolution of Heavenly Bodies and Other Stories

In this video, we sit down with the incredible, award-winning poet, Elena Karina Byrne. Elena is a Pushcart Prize recipient, the author of five poetry collections, is a screenwriter, essayist, reviewer, multi-media artist, lecturer, editor, and national arts programs curator. It goes without saying that Elena is amazingly talented, and also happens to be the editor of a number of my own poems. We hope you enjoy Elena's very special poetry reading held live on a misty, rainy morning in Malibu.

📚 BUY ELENA’S BOOKS:
- If This Makes You Nervous
- No, don’t
- Squander

In this video, we sit down with City Poet Laureate of West Hollywood (Oct 2016-Oct 2018), Kim Dower. Dower's poetry is jazzed-up, humorous, insightful, and electrifying---watch how she has the crowd in stitches one minute, then deeply contemplating the next. A poet of great skill and control, adorned in fabulous pink---what else could you want from a reading?!

📚 BUY KIM'S BOOKS:
- I Wore This Dress Today For You, Mom
- Sunbathing on Tyrone Power’s Grave
-Last Train to the Missing Planet

Join us in listening to Marsha de la O reading her evocative, mystical poems from her 2024 book, “Creature,” followed by a Q&A about her poetry, grief, and a story about a hawk flying into her house.

📚 BUY MARSHA’S BOOKS:
- Creature
- Every Ravening Thing
- Antidote for Night

In this video, we sit down with Mariano Zaro for a live poetry reading and conversation about his work, craft, and creative journey.

Zaro is the author of six acclaimed poetry collections, his poems appear in numerous anthologies as well as in literary magazines across Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Join us as we explore his evocative imagery, bilingual artistry, and the stories behind his celebrated body of work.

📚 BUY MARIANO BOOKS:
-Padre Tierra
- Decoding Sparrows
- Tres Letras - Three Letters

In this video, we sit down with award-winning poet, author, and first Poet Laureate of Malibu: Ricardo Means Ybarra!

📚 BUY RICARDO'S BOOKS HERE:
-Brotherhood of Dolphins
-Beyond the Reef
- Radical Beauty

Koertge is a poet and young-adult novelist, Pushcart Prize winner, and currently serves as the Poet Laureate of South Pasadena. Koertge's poem, “Negative Space” inspired the animated short film of the same name by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata. Not to mention, Ron and his wife, Bianca, are so genuine, and kind. It was such a pleasure hosting them for this event!

📚 BUY RON'S BOOKS HERE:

- I Dreamed I was Emily Dickinson's Boyfriend

-Yellow Moving Van

- Making Love to Roget's Wife -

In this video, Nathan Hassall’s wife, Rachael, becomes Malibu Poet Laureate for the day as she sits down with Rattle Chapbook Prize winner Michael Mark.

📚 BUY MICHAEL'S BOOK HERE:

- Visiting Her in Queens Is More Enlightening than a Month in a Monastery in Tibet

In this exclusive video, we sit down with Robert Hass, the former Poet Laureate of the United States, and Brenda Hillman, an acclaimed poet and author, for a special poetry reading and intimate conversation. Recorded live in Malibu, California, this event offers a rare glimpse into the literary world of these two literary giants.

📚 BUY ROBERT HASS’S BOOKS:

- Praise
- The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa (Essential Poets)
- Summer Snow: New Poems

📚 BUY BRENDA HILLMAN’S BOOKS:

- Three Talks: Metaphor and Metonymy, Meaning and Mystery, Magic and Morality
- In a Few Minutes Before Later
- Extra Hidden Life, among the Days

Join us in this video as we sit down with with award-winning poet and professor, Blas Falconer, Ph.D. for a live poetry reading and Q&A!

📚 BUY BLAS FALCONER'S BOOKS:

- Rara Avis
- Forgive the Body This Failure
- A Question of Gravity and Light
- The Foundling Wheel (Stahlecker Selections)

Cynthia Good is a poet, author, and the founder and CEO of Little PINK Book - America's #1 online community for career women.

📚 BUY CYNTHIA GOOD'S LATEST POETRY BOOK:

- In The Thaw of Day

Join us for our LAST episode in our live poetry reading series Caffeinated Verse featuring Lynne Thompson, Los Angeles Poet Laureate Emeritus, held in Malibu, California. In this vibrant reading, Lynne shares selections from her acclaimed collections, weaving together themes of heritage, resilience, and creativity. A celebrated poet and the daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Lynne brings a rich, lyrical voice to the stage, drawing on her award-winning career and deep commitment to the literary arts. Watch now to experience her powerful words and reflections.

📚 BUY LYNNE THOMPSON’S BOOKS:

- Blue on a Blue Palette
- Fretwork
- Start with a Small Guitar