From the tip of the pen to the tip of the tongue, the Castalia Reading Series gives UW students a chance to exhibit their writing, creating a lasting community in the process.

Castalia is held at the Richard Hugo House on Capitol Hill every month and features readings from graduate students in the creative writing program at the UW. Select guest writers are also invited to participate. This month’s reading, which took place Feb. 3, featured Maya Sonenberg, the director of the creative writing program at the university.

“It’s just a good opportunity to hear poetry and fiction for free, and to hear writers that I haven’t heard before,” said junior Zaccaria Fulton, a regular at the readings.

While the monthly event focuses on the graduate students’ work, the diverse audience extends far beyond the university. Previously held on campus, Castalia moved to the Richard Hugo House to better cater to this expansive audience.

“There are a lot of people here who aren’t affiliated with the university, who just want to hear great writing,” Castalia student curator Elissa Washuta said. Washuta also served as emcee for the February reading.

“Part of being a writer is giving public readings,” Sonenberg said, discussing the importance of the Castalia readings for graduate students. “There’s a difference reading for a live crowd because you can see the reaction to you work.”

The Castalia Reading Series provides an opportunity for students to share their work with their peers and community, but also allows them to practice being under the spotlight.

“Knowing some of my peers who have fairly high standards raises the stakes a little bit,” first-year graduate student Jess Corozza said. “It’s nice to have a place [to read] that’s not on campus but is still connected.”

The series also serves as a source of inspiration for the writers. The concept for one of the poems at February’s event was developed after the author heard another student read at a previous month’s gathering. The series is fittingly named after Castalia, the nymph from Greek mythology who inspired the genius of poetry.

“I think it’s a fabulous opportunity to hear my peers share their work,” first-year graduate student Paige Chant said. “Writing is often a solitary activity, so to hear other writers and be encouraged to keep going is a positive experience.”

The friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the readings entices many return visits. Once discovering Castalia, listeners are often hooked and keep coming back for more.

“Because it’s a reading for people who aren’t necessarily published, it’s a chance for students to see other students and what they are doing on campus,” reader and first-year graduate student Matthew Kelsey said. “It’s unusual to know so many people and to have such camaraderie in the crowd.”

Next month’s event in the Castalia Reading Series will be held March 3 at the Hugo House, with the reading beginning at 8 p.m.

Reach reporter Lexie Krell at arts@dailyuw.com.