Order your copy of J.R Rice's short work collection, I WAS, AM, WIL BE, out now!

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    • Home
    • Biography
    • Soul as a City
    • Publications
      • BROKEN PENCILS
      • PoetsForHarris Anthology
    • Performances
    • Accolades
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Photos
    • Upcoming
      • SOCIAL SATURDAYS
      • BROKEN PENCILS
      • Event Calendar
    • Event Calendar
    • LINKTR.EE - Event Tickets
    • About
    • I WAS, AM, WILL BE
    • Get-Hype Open-Mic
  • Home
  • Biography
  • Soul as a City
  • Publications
    • BROKEN PENCILS
    • PoetsForHarris Anthology
  • Performances
  • Accolades
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Photos
  • Upcoming
    • SOCIAL SATURDAYS
    • BROKEN PENCILS
    • Event Calendar
  • Event Calendar
  • LINKTR.EE - Event Tickets
  • About
  • I WAS, AM, WILL BE
  • Get-Hype Open-Mic

Event Calendar

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024

9/27/2024

Friday Night Vibez Open mic

7pm

-

10pm

St. Mark AME Zion Church 1794 Bay Rd, East Palo Alto, CA

Event Details

9/27/2024

Friday Night Vibez Open mic

Friday Night Vibez Open Mic is back for the LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR! Join us at St Mark A.M.E. Zion Church for a night of incredible talent an...

Event Details

7pm

-

10pm

St. Mark AME Zion Church 1794 Bay Rd, East Palo Alto, CA

9/28/2024

Barnes & Noble Modesto Presents J.R.Rice

3pm

-

5pm

3501 McHenry Ave, Ste E, Modesto, CA 95356

Event Details

9/28/2024

Barnes & Noble Modesto Presents J.R.Rice

You're invited to Barnes & Noble Modesto on Saturday 9/28/24 for a theatrical reading and book discussion with Bay Area author and poet, J.R...

Event Details

3pm

-

5pm

3501 McHenry Ave, Ste E, Modesto, CA 95356

9/21/2024

Barnes & Noble Blossom Hill Presents J.R. Rice

12pm

-

4pm

5353 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

Event Details

9/21/2024

Barnes & Noble Blossom Hill Presents J.R. Rice

Come visit Barnes & Noble Blossom Hill on Saturday 9/21/24 from 12-4pm for a meet and greet with local author and poet, J.R. Rice in celebra...

Event Details

12pm

-

4pm

5353 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118

9/15/2024

Poets for Harris

4pm

-

7pm

ONLINE

Event Details

9/15/2024

Poets for Harris

You are invited to the POETS FOR HARRIS livestream on Sunday, Sept 15 (4pm PDT / 7pm EDT), featuring 50 poets from across the United States ...

Event Details

4pm

-

7pm

ONLINE

9/1/2024

Reasonable Books Double Feature Author Event

2pm

-

4pm

3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549

Event Details

9/1/2024

Reasonable Books Double Feature Author Event

You're invited to a double feature author event at Reasonable Books on Sunday, 9/1/24 at 2:00 PM! At this event J.R. Rice and Elaine Kellihe...

Event Details

2pm

-

4pm

3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549

More Events
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Bi-Weekly Series Hosted by J.R. Rice

Get-Hype Open-Mic Poetry Showcase

Join us for Get-Hype Open-Mic hosted by J.R. Rice at Discover Community Cafe in West Oakland! Every other Friday, come through for a free night of poetry, music, comedy, storytelling, community, and creative expression. Featuring a new local act at each show. 

Also free writers workshop from 6-6:45pm.

Learn More

MEANWHILE...THE HALL OF POETIC JUSTICE!

J.R. Rice and a team of Bay Area creative superheroes assemble for the official release of I WAS, AM, WILL BE.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026 | 6:30–9 PM
📍 Discover Community Cafe, Oakland
🎟️ RSVP for the Book Launch + Artist Showcase
📚 Preorder I WAS, AM, WILL BE at JRRice.com / Afterword Press

Poetry. Music. Film. Theater. Giveaways. Book signing. And enough lyrical superpowers to save Oakland before bedtime.


RSVP HERE

Life Is Fine DIY Poetry Worksheet

Directions: Open the PDF link to download the worksheet

Inspired by "Langston Hughes’s “Life is Fine,” participants use comparison, repetition, vivid images, and a turning point to write about life, struggle, survival, or choosing a new direction.

Trigger Warning: The poem includes references to emotional crisis and suicide. You may write personally, fictionally, or about a character. You never have to share private experiences aloud.



Download PDF

Copyright © 2026 J.R Rice - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Soul as a City
  • BROKEN PENCILS
  • PoetsForHarris Anthology
  • Performances
  • Accolades
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Photos
  • SOCIAL SATURDAYS
  • Event Calendar
  • LINKTR.EE - Event Tickets
  • I WAS, AM, WILL BE
  • Get-Hype Open-Mic

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ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY

Who were you yesterday? 

Who are you today? 

Who will you be tomorrow? 


I WAS, AM , WILL BE

Released:  10.02.2026

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952555121

Join the journey. 


Visit Afterword Press 

for more information.  



Learn more