What We Do
Softspoke is a poetry and writing collective built around intentional listening, connection, low-pressure creativity, and social-battery-conscious hangouts.
We host soft mics, writing circles, and creative gatherings designed for people who want to get back to the core of their art. Our spaces prioritize presence over polish, attention over volume, and connection over competition. Some gatherings are reflective, others are lighter and more social, but creativity remains at the center.
If traditional open mics and writing spaces feel loud, performative, or overstimulating, Softspoke was built as an alternative.
Why We’re Different
Many creative spaces reward with reaction.
Softspoke is built for reception.
There’s no critique, no ranking, and no pressure to be “on.”
Some events are reflective. Some are playful. Some are structured.
All of them are designed to make people feel more connected to their writing and to each other.
You don’t need to be loud here.
You don’t need to be polished.
You just need to show up.
What We Offer
Softspoke hosts a mix of recurring and limited-run events, including:
Soft mics focused on emotional honesty and attention
Writing circles built around community rather than instruction
Low-stakes creative hangouts for writers and non-writers alike
Themed events that explore grief, joy, heartbreak, growth, and transition
All spaces are intentionally small and thoughtfully facilitated.
Softspoke is based in Jacksonville, Florida, and will continue to grow through in-person events, printed projects, and collaborative offerings.
Who’s Softspoke for?
Our events are open to people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, body types, abilities, neurotypes, and backgrounds. We especially hold space for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other people of color. We welcome the gays and theys + more. We welcome neurodivergent, introverted, anxious, quiet, weird, and in-between people. Softspoke is for people.
People who have never written, and those who have been writing for decades. People who cry during poems. People who’ve never read out loud. People who write to survive. People who crave quiet. People who crave community. People with stage fright. People who are overstimulated. People who feel too much. People who aren’t “performers”, and those who are but want to lay down the persona. People who are healing. People who are tired parents. People who are just tired. People who want to be witnessed.
YOU!
What’s a Soft Mic?
Softspoke Collective hosts Soft Mics, which differ from traditional open mics in both structure and tone.
There is typically no stage. Poets read from the room, and audience feedback is kept quiet and low-pressure. Snaps are welcome and preferred.
Upon arrival, all attendees (even you, audience!) are offered Soft Prompts to check in with themselves and settle into the space. They are also given reflection cards for the evening. Each card lists the poets in order, with space to write what each piece brought up or lingered afterward.
Reflection cards are optional. They are not critiques and are never shared aloud. Attendees may return them anonymously at the end of the night or keep them for themselves. Each card includes the poet’s name and social media handle for connection beyond the event.
Soft Mics are designed to prioritize listening, presence, and reception over reaction.
What’s a Circle?
Softspoke writing circles are low-pressure creative gatherings focused on connection. They are not workshops and there is no teaching or critique.
Each circle is structured a little differently. Some are prompt-based and lightly guided. Some are open for free writing. Some are focused on emotional expression, while others are more like hangouts, casual and social. At certain circles, writing may share space with coloring, zines, or other simple creative activities.
Participants can write, listen, talk quietly, or work independently. Sharing is optional and passing is always allowed. Circles are intentionally small.
Event pages will always note the general structure so you know what kind of circle it is.
What’s Loose Leaf?
Loose Leaf is the Softspoke Collective Community Diary.
The Loose Leaf community diary is present at every Softspoke Circle and Soft Mic: a leave-behind journal where guests can contribute anonymous thoughts, lines, or reflections for future readers.
Anyone is welcome to write in it - something short, something deep, something raw, something quiet. This journal is for both the artists and the attendees to participate in.
You can read the pages that came before, or just leave your own.
At the bottom of each page, you’ll find a simple question: Can we share this anonymously on our website or Instagram? You choose. Yes or no. Your voice, your call.
The result is a soft ecosystem of care, connection, and community.