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- Our History

Poets Anonymous (PA), at ten years of age, is one of the oldest continuous poetry reading venues in the country and has evolved into one of the most popular of its type. Linda Boynton, Elizabeth A. Pettipas (Ramsey) and Samuel A. Hurst, Sr. initially conceived the idea of a heart-guided poetry group for Northern VA. The trio brought much personal diversity to the planning table including age, race, culture, ethnicity, gender, religion, training and style. PA was established in the Fall of 1991 by the trio and their recruits who also shared a love of poetry. The group's focus was on the love of poetry rather than accomplishments or techniques and they felt it was an honor and privilege to listen to or read someone else's creation. They also harbored a deep desire to support community and charitable organizations and events. The love inherited in PA became a bridge that used poetry as the foundation to connect people, communities, art forms, cultures, institutions and countries. Unable to find a local group to satisfy their needs, the poets organized their own loosely structured poetry reading venue. They named themselves Poets Anonymous (PA) since its members were not widely known in the literary world. The first "Opened Reading" was held on November 30, 1991 at Spanky's Clubhouse, a sports restaurant and bar, on Old Burke Lake Road in Burke, Virginia. PA has maintained its diversity over the years with its membership coming from throughout the metropolitan area and with a mailing list of about 200 people from all over the USA. Reading sessions are held once a month at the Red Hot & Blue Restaurant, 4150 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA.

PA members have continued to serve individually and as a group to:

  • Inspire people to read and write

  • Provide means for exchange of ideas

  • Serve as a writer's information exchange

  • Stimulate the artistic interest of young people

  • Aid in developing artistic skills and knowledge

  • Support in the attainment of community goals

  • Support in the attainment of charitable goals

    • Poets Anonymous inspires its members to: Write, publish, and sell anthologies to raise money for Children's Hospital, create other poetry venues, websites, become masters of ceremonies for art festivals, act in performance plays, write, read and publish poetry and fiction, produce, direct and host TV poetry programs, organize and produce joint poets and painters exhibits---both locally and internationally, organize and produce interactive workshops for elementary and junior high schools, become guest poets and speakers for organizations and institutions throughout the world.

    Poets Anonymous invites you to explore your love and passion for poetry. Please join us at one of our monthly reading (2nd Saturdays at 2:00-5 PM) at Red Hot & Blue Restaurant, 4150 Chain Bridge Road in Fair, VA).