Eady/Derricote Chapbook Release & Reading with Mia Word

Discover the powerful voice of a rising Southern poet during a special anniversary celebration of literary partnership and cultural exchange. The Eady/Derricote Chapbook Release & Reading with Mia Word takes place Tuesday, April 15 at The Betsy South Beach, marking the 10th anniversary of the collaboration between Cave Canem Poetry Foundation, O, Miami and The Betsy.

Presented as part of the O, Miami Poetry Festival lineup, this event features Mississippi Delta native Mia Word, winner of the 2025 Derricotte/Eady Prize, whose work draws deeply from her Southern heritage, Blues traditions, ancestry and storytelling. Word, a recent Harvard University graduate and recipient of both the Edward Eager Memorial Prize for Creative Writing and the David McCord Prize for Depth of Talent in the Literary Arts, will present her award-winning poetry. The evening begins with Poetry Paella at 6:30 p.m., followed by the reading at 8 p.m. Attendees are also encouraged to visit The Orb, a one-night installation honoring a decade of Cave Canem at The Betsy. ASL interpretation will be provided and RSVPs are required with attendance limited to 100 guests.