A Weekend of Literary Events Celebrating Women Writers in Western Maryland
Mother Tongue: A Weekend of Women’s Voices brings together outstanding women poets, writers, authors, and readers from the Western Maryland community for a weekend of literary enjoyment and appreciation. Kicking off Women's History Month this March, Lily Books & Cafe and the Cumberland Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association are partnering to offer an exciting program of lit-focused events highlighting and celebrating women’s voices. Featured events include a Women's Poetry Reading and Open Mic night at Loft 129 on Friday March 6th, followed on Saturday morning, March 7th, by a panel of Women Author Readings and Discussion, a luncheon and book signings, and a hands-on Writing Workshop in the afternoon—all at Lily Books & Cafe in downtown Cumberland, Maryland. Mother Tongue is free to attend and open to all genders.
Heather M joins the Maryland Writer's Association and Lily Books & Cafe in hosting the event series as well as facilitating the Women Author Panel & Discussion and the Writing Workshop on Saturday. We hope you will join us in celebration, community, and creativity for Women's History month.
Additional details are below and can also be found on the Lily Books & Cafe website at:
www.lilybookscafe.com/events
Mother Tongue Event Series
Women's Poetry Night & Open Mic @ Loft 129
Friday, March 6, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
129 Baltimore St, Cumberland, MD 21502
loft129.org/events/womens-poetry-night-open-mic
Women Author Reading & Discussion @ Lily Books & Cafe
Saturday, March 7, 2026 @ 10:30 AM
127 Baltimore St, Cumberland, MD 21502
www.lilybookscafe.com/events
Women's Writing Workshop @ Lily Books & Cafe
Saturday, March 7, 2026 @ 1:30 PM
127 Baltimore St, Cumberland, MD 21502
www.lilybookscafe.com/events
About Lily Books & Cafe
Lily Books and Cafe is a community bookstore located at 127 Baltimore Street in downtown Cumberland! A literary gathering place for individuals, groups and the Cumberland community which is partnering with the performance space Loft 129. We hope to provide residents of the Cumberland community a place to gather for the musical and literary arts. Following in the footsteps of Gayle and Lee Schwartz's beloved Book Center, we hope you will find a home to be nourished by good books, good coffee and tea, and good company.
Be inspired for life at Lily Books!
More information is available on their website at www.lilybookscafe.com.
About the Maryland Writers Association
he Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art, business, and craft of writing in all its forms. MWA strives to bring together aspiring, emerging, and established writers of all genres and disciplines, provide information and networking resources, help members make contacts that lead to publication, encourage writers to reach their full potential, and promote writing within Maryland communities. MWA's diverse membership ranges from professional freelancers and published authors, to writers aspiring to be published and those who write as a creative outlet. Consider joining the MWA today!
More information is available on their website at marylandwriters.org.