Spoken Interludes is a critically acclaimed literary salon where award-winning, best-selling, and up-coming writers read their own work to sold-out, in-person audiences of 300 people and more. DeLauné Michel created Spoken Interludes in 1996 when the choices for literary events were limited to poetry readings or signings in bookstores. Since then, Spoken Interludes has been covered extensively by publications ranging from The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, GQ Magazine and has been heard on National Public Radio. In 2000, Spoken Interludes started outreach writing programs for at-risk youth in inner-city schools, juvenile institutions, and prison reaching over 450 children a year in New York and Los Angeles. Spoken Interludes also runs a book-drive, putting over 6,000 free books into the hands of underprivileged children. 

Spoken Interludes is live online every Wednesday at 8pm EST/5pm PST. Join us!

Since its debut, Spoken Interludes has provided a place where people come together, and hear stories like their own reflected in the voices of others. See a list of  upcoming events.

DeLauné Michel grew up in a South Louisiana literary family that includes her first cousin André Dubus III, and second cousin James Lee Burke. She has spent over two decades in the literary world – producing an acclaimed reading series, empowering marginalized voices, and writing fiction and nonfiction.  Her career telling stories began with her work as an actor in theatre (including her critically-acclaimed one-woman show), television (including NYPD Blue), and feature films (including Harry Shearer’s directorial debut). In 1996, Ms. Michel created the critically-acclaimed reading series, Spoken Interludes, to sold-out audiences. Ms. Michel then developed, taught in, and continues to run outreach writing programs for at-risk youth in inner-city schools, juvenile institutions, and prison reaching over 450 children a year in New York and Los Angeles since 2000. Through Spoken Interludes, she also runs a book-drive, putting over 6,000 free books into the hands of underprivileged  children. The first two short stories Ms. Michel wrote won recognition in the Thomas Wolf Short Fiction Competition. Her novels, Aftermath of Dreaming and The Safety of Secrets, were published by HarperCollins. After completing a third novel, she is currently working on a memoir. She lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two sons. Visit www.delaunemichel.com

DeLauné with cousin André Dubus III
DeLauné with Spoken Interludes students