Diversity is the word of the week in Denver's literary scene, with everything from readings of award-winning middle-grade novels to Lighthouse mixers to poetry rodeos, charitably minded novel launches, and At the Inkwell gatherings. It's an Easter basket full of bookish blessings — just the thing to tuck in behind that chocolate bunny, if you're into that sort of thing. Get out into the Colorado springtime and embrace the many and varied ways in which literature blooms in Denver during mid-April.

Kwame Alexander
Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Tallyn's Reach Library
23911 East Arapahoe Road, Aurora
Free
Tattered Cover partners with the Aurora Public Library to bring poet, educator and author Kwame Alexander to Tallyn's Reach for a special visit. Alexander will discuss some of his most popular middle-grade books, including the Newbery Award-winning The Crossover and the National Book Award nominee Booked. Don't miss this chance to hear from, meet and have books signed by one of America's best young literary voices.

Writing in Color
Friday, April 19, 5:30 p.m.
Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Grotto Room
1515 Race Street
Free
Suzi Q. Smith, Denver poet and co-chair of the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, hosts this free mixer at Lighthouse Writers Workshop, providing Colorado writers of color a place to connect with peers and share ideas, inspirations, new work, resources and more. With events such as these, Lighthouse aims to offer a more demographically complete representation of the writing community of Colorado and spotlight and actively support the rich diversity of the state's literary scene. The event is free, but registration is required.