Poetry lovers of Whidbey Island, don’t miss the next Whidbey Island Arts Council Poetry Slam hosted by the effervescent comedy titan Jim Freeman.

Poet William Xander participated in a poetry slam at the Coupeville Library in October.

The next slam will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Anchor Books & Coffee in Clinton for the final Poetry Slam of 2012.

These ongoing poetry slams are casual and light-hearted, thanks to Freeman’s ongoing witty repartee and his ability to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. He also makes the evening even more satisfying by handing out super valuable prizes for everyone, such as bags of sugar-free bubble gum, Groucho Marx-style mustache and nose glasses and the occasional rubber chicken.

Thanks to Anchor Books & Coffee, slammers are guaranteed great lighting, great space, great baked goods and great coffee, which all leads to an evening of stellar poetry-infused fun.

The slams usually end around 8 p.m.

“We’ll finish before anyone gets restless or begins to talk politics,” Freeman said.

For directions or more details, email Freeman at fun@whidbey.com or give him a call at 360-331-2617.

Visit the Whidbey Island Arts Council website to find out more about the poetry slams and other of its literary programs.

 At top: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s “The Favourite Poet,” oil on canvas, 1888.