Booking James Morehead for Events
James Morehead is the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, California, author of canvas: poems, portraits of red and gray: memoir poems, The Plague Doctor, and he hosts The Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast. James’ poem “tethered” was transformed into an award-winning hand drawn animated short film, “Twilight in the Sculpture Forest” and “Welcome to the Tenderloin” into award-winning short films, and “gallery” was set to music for baritone and piano. His poems have appeared in the Ignatian Literary Magazine, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, 2nd Place – Oprelle Oxbow Poetry Contest 2022, Citron Review, Ekphrastic Review, Loud Coffee Press, Cathexis Northwest Press, and other publications. James has performed his poetry at the Patagonia Poet Laureate Celebration, on the SF Chronicle’s Total SF podcast, on NPR’s Poetically Yours, as Guest Poet at the 20th Annual Haiku Festival (Chicago), and other events.
James is a member of the American Academy of Poets, California State Poetry Society, Tri-Valley Writers, and AWP.
Contact: dublinpoetlaureate@gmail.com
Poetry Readings & Film Screenings
These events combine readings of my published and unpublished poetry with screenings of one or more of my award-winning poetry short films:
- “Welcome to the Tenderloin”: A cinematic sestina exploring the history and resilience of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, directed by Paul Ghusar. Honorable Mention – Los Angeles International Poetry Film Festival
- “tethered”: A beautiful 2D hand-drawn animated film featuring 750 hand-drawn frames, directed by Italian animator Gaia Alari.
- “Twilight in the Sculpture Forest”: A compelling documentary film shot in Ontario, Canada. Winner – Best Documentary at the Los Angeles International Poetry Film Festival.
Classroom Presentations
I enjoy visiting high school English classrooms to inspire students to explore poetry. I started by poetry journey thanks to a 10th grade Creative Writing class and want to pay forward to the next generation of poets. I have presented to high school classrooms both in person and virtually.
Public Library Programs
I am a passionate advocate for public libraries and regularly partner with library systems across California and beyond. These programs combine a live reading, film screening, and Q&A session about the craft of poetry. My collections are easily accessible via the Link+ consortium and distributed by Ingram, making catalog acquisitions simple for library staff.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations
I am always eager to discuss the intersection of poetry with other creative fields. Past projects include working with jazz musicians to back live readings, collaborating with composers to set poems to classical music, and transforming my poems into short films.
A mesmerizing collection of eerie, image-rich poems that explore the fleeting nature of existence and friendship, inspired by the world of art and artists.
“James Morehead’s poetry pulses with vibrant detail. In this new collection Morehead has created a vivid document that captures what it means to be perpetually inspired by the world in all its facets.” – Tina Cane, Poet Laureate of Rhode Island
“The Plague Doctor: listing on Link+ and WorldCat
“The vulnerability and humanity expressed in these poems is moving.” – Angie Trudell Vasquez, Poet Laureate – Madison, WI
“The rhythmic control is impeccable. The centerpiece of this collection, a long series of poems that chronicle a trip through the former Soviet Union, is a fast moving, impressionistic feast of imagery.” – Carmine Di Biase, Distinguished Professor of English, Emeritus – Jacksonville State University
“portraits of red and gray”: listing on Link+ and listing on WorldCat
“To read canvas is to be transported to a world infused with meaning and memory.” – Morgan Liphart, poet and author of Barefoot and Running
“These are poems to be savored, re-read, kept handy for those times when only poetry will do.” – W. J. T. Mitchell, Gaylord Donnelley Distinguished Service Professor, English and Art History, University of Chicago
“canvas”: listing on Link+ and listing on WorldCat
Below is a curated list of events I have hosted, co-organized, or performed in:
- “Verse in Fog: A Poetic Celebration of San Francisco” (December 13, 2025 | San Francisco): Curated, organized, and hosted this live ticketed multimedia event at the Decentered Arts Studio. The evening successfully brought together local poets, live music, and screenings of my San Francisco-themed poetry films.
- “Poetry & Chocolate” Series (Oakland, CA): Co-organized and co-performed an standing room only reading events at Xocolate, pairing custom artisanal chocolates with original poetry.
- “Poetry & Pastries” Series (Dwight, ON, Canada | 2021 to Present): Virtual and in-person poetry events with the Lake of Bays Township Public Library, in partnership with a local patisserie for the past three years.
- “Gather” (August 9, 2025 | Chicago): Performed with a group of poets at a sold out ticketed event at a local Chicago coffee bar.
- “Poetry & Pizza” Open Mic Series (Dublin, CA | 2021 to 2025): Co-founded and hosted a successful monthly community open mic night at Patxi’s Pizza, providing a warm, welcoming space for local poets aged eight to eighty to share their work.
- 20th Annual Haiku Festival (Chicago, IL): Participated as a Guest Poet and workshop presenter, engaging with Chicago Public Library programs and performing for national audiences.
- Local Author Showcase (May 30, 2026 | Dublin, CA): Invited featured author at the Dublin Public Library showcase, engaging with Tri-Valley readers and presenting my published collections.
- Patagonia’s Poet Laureate Celebration (San Francisco, CA): Live event featuring poets laureate from around the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Presidio Chapel World Premiere (San Francisco, CA | Nov 2021): Performed a live reading of my poem “dissolving in the gallery” alongside its classical music premiere, composed by Deon Nielsen Price and performed by Welsh baritone Jeremy Huw Williams and pianist Paula Fan.
- Northern Illinois University New Music Festival (DeKalb, IL | Nov 2022): Celebrated the premiere of my poem “petals in haiku,” which was adapted and set to music by composer Yuko Asada.
- San Francisco Chronicle “Total SF” Podcast: Invited guest on multiple episodes (2022 and 2023) to premiere original poems celebrating San Francisco’s history, landmarks, and culture.
- NPR’s “Poetically Yours”: Featured performing poet on NPR station WNIJ, discussing creative process and reciting select pieces.
Approved Bios
Short (50 Words)
James Morehead is Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, California, author of three poetry collections, and host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast. James’ poem “tethered” was transformed into an award-winning animated short and “gallery” was set to music (baritone and piano). His poems have appeared in multiple publications.
Medium (75 Words)
James Morehead is the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, California, hosts the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast, and is the author of several collections, including “The Plague Doctor.” He has produced three poetry films, including “tethered,” an award-winning animated short. His poem “gallery” was set to music for baritone and piano, and his work has appeared in multiple publications. He has performed nationally, including Patagonia’s Poet Laureate Celebration, NPR’s Poetically Yours, and the Annual Haiku Festival.
Long (100 Words)
James Morehead is Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, California, host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast, and has published several poetry collections including “The Plague Doctor”. “tethered” was transformed into an award-winning animated short film, “Twilight in the Sculpture Forest” won Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Poetry Film Festival, and “gallery” was set to music for baritone and piano. He has been published in the Ignatian, Beyond Words, Citron Review, Ekphrastic Review, Loud Coffee Press, Havik, and others. James has performed in Patagonia’s Poet Laureate Celebration, NPR’s Poetically Yours, and as Guest Poet at the 20th Annual Haiku Festival.
| Region | Featured Venues & Partners |
|---|---|
| California | Dublin Public Library, Decentered Arts Studio, Tenderloin Museum, Presidio Chapel, Patxi’s Pizza, Xocolate & Confections, Patagonia San Francisco |
| Illinois | Chicago Public Library, Northern Illinois University |
| Canada | Dwight Public Library (Ontario), The Sculpture Forest (Ontario) |
| Media | KCBS Radio, NPR Station WNIJ, San Francisco Chronicle |