Community Literature Initiative

Community Literature Initiative The Community Literature Initiative is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization focused on servin

The Community Literature Initiative is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization focused on teaching writers in the city how to create poetry and fiction of a publishable quality. The CLI course is a 10-month (September to June) training program to refine works-in-progress into finalized manuscripts ready for publication. At the conclusion of the 10-month program, all participants are guaranteed

a first-book publishing contract with one of our partnering Los Angeles Small Presses. At the conclusion of our program, all students emerge knowledgeable published authors! We only accept fourteen poetry students and fourteen fiction students per year, so apply now! In addition to offering these courses, CLI staff & students teach free creative writing courses in local highschools. Please see our website for more information on how to be a part of or donate to CLI. Also refer to our website for a look at our team and our publications.

It's June which means the Beach City Writers Conference is right around the corner!!!Hosted by the Community Literature ...
06/01/2026

It's June which means the Beach City Writers Conference is right around the corner!!!

Hosted by the Community Literature Initiative (CLI), this three-day experience (June 26th-28th) is open to CLI students, alumni and the public. This year’s conference theme is: In the Margins. We will be exploring what it means to own your space and celebrating marginalized voices!

🎟️ Your ticket includes 3 days of:
🍽️ Delicious lunches
🎧 Emcee, music and vibes by DJ Pw
📚 Workshops, CLIque Talks, games, and panels led by our incredible CLI teachers & teacher assistants
🎤 Live performances, networking, and surprises you won’t want to miss!

General Public Admission is $150

Locations will include Friday on the local beach, Saturday and Sunday on the campus of the illustrious USC! We will also be hosting a gala at the Sims Library of Poetry. Register today using the link in our bio!

CALLING HOUSTON POETS! Do you have poems and a story that needs to be told? It is your time. Join us at the Open Call P...
04/30/2026

CALLING HOUSTON POETS!

Do you have poems and a story that needs to be told? It is your time. Join us at the Open Call Poetry Audition.

ABOUT CLI + THE AUDITION: The Community Literature Initiative is holding audition-style interviews for our Poetry Publishing Class, a two-semester journey that takes poets from manuscript to published book.

If selected, you'll:
- Build a full poetry manuscript.
- Leave with a fully developed and designed book.
- Join a thriving national poetry community.
- Pitch your book to publishers at our annual Author Draft.

Friday, May 8th 2026
7:00PM via ZOOM

Reserve your spot today! 🔗LINK IN BIO
DM for questions

04/30/2026

Tonight is the night for our rent party!
Scan the QR code or visit communitylit.org/give-words to support with your dollars in case you can't come in person!

Executive Director and Founder of CLI Hiram Sims went on air with to talk about the history of National Poetry Month and the importance of poetry as an art form to society.

Please support keeping the doors open to - the first Black-owned poetry library in the state of California, and a space for the community to read, write and perform.

We are throwing a rent party to close out National Poetry Month!Join us in person or virtually to support the Sims Libra...
04/29/2026

We are throwing a rent party to close out National Poetry Month!

Join us in person or virtually to support the Sims Library of Poetry, California's first black-owned poetry library. Its growth from suitcase, to garage, and now the West Coast's largest poetry collection is a living legacy. More than a library, it is a vital sanctuary where the community gathers to read, write, and perform.

Your support ensures this rare, inclusive space remains accessible for marginalized voices. Please help keep that legacy alive.

🔗 to donate: https://www.communitylit.org/give-words
📅 April 30th
📍 The Sims Library of Poetry
⏰️ 7:00PM
🎟 GA: $20, VIP: $100, Pillar: $500

Please feel free to share as well! Thank you for being part of our community.

Join me, Executive Director and Founder Hiram Sims, for the evening news on Fox 11+ (Channel 13). I'll be joining Christ...
04/27/2026

Join me, Executive Director and Founder Hiram Sims, for the evening news on Fox 11+ (Channel 13). I'll be joining Christine Devine on LA Live News Tonight to talk about National Poetry Month. Also streaming live on FoxLA.com and the Fox Local app. Monday, April 27.

We are throwing a rent party to close out National Poetry Month!Join us to support the Sims Library of Poetry, Californi...
04/24/2026

We are throwing a rent party to close out National Poetry Month!

Join us to support the Sims Library of Poetry, California's first black-owned poetry library. Its growth from suitcase, to garage, and now the West Coast's largest poetry collection is a living legacy. More than a library, it is a vital sanctuary where the community gathers to read, write, and perform.

Your support ensures this rare, inclusive space remains accessible for marginalized voices. Please help keep that legacy alive.

Our party agenda is showcasing LA feature poets, an open mic, vendors, and light bites.

🔗 to donate is in our bio
📅 April 30th
📍 The Sims Library of Poetry
⏰️ 7:00PM

One of our own is releasing a new book!!! 🚨🚨🚨Come to the Pages on Stages open mic this Saturday, followed by the feature...
04/19/2026

One of our own is releasing a new book!!! 🚨🚨🚨
Come to the Pages on Stages open mic this Saturday, followed by the feature, release and signing of The Long Way Home by

Hope to see you there!!!

04/11/2026

This is every day at The Sims Library of Poetry! Come visit us!. Take a poetry publishing workshop! Read a book!

Come join us next Wednesday, the 15th for the USC Chapter's open mic for National Poetry Month!! Followed by the book r...
04/07/2026

Come join us next Wednesday, the 15th for the USC Chapter's open mic for National Poetry Month!! Followed by the book release and signing of the sensational songstress Poetresse

📅 4/15/2026
📍 World Stage Performance Gallery
⏰️ 7:30 PM
🎟 $10 Entry

Dance in the moonlight? Why not spit in the moonlight?? We've got some incredible features to welcome poetry month but c...
03/30/2026

Dance in the moonlight? Why not spit in the moonlight?? We've got some incredible features to welcome poetry month but come set the stage alight beforehand at the open mic TOMORROW night!! 🌚

📍Sims Library of Poetry
🎟 $10
⏰️ 11PM

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2702 W Florence Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
90043

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