Each week, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in the literary community. Let us know if you have any events or book news to share.
Author Kesha Ajose Fisher on KATU Afternoon Live
Kesha Ajose Fisher is the 2020 Oregon Book Awards winner of the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction. for her debut collection of short stories, No God Like the Mother.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Author Reading: The Index of Self-Destructive Acts by Christopher Beha / Power Ball by Rob Neyer (Two Rivers Bookstore)
Thursday, August 27, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening of fiction, family, and baseball with Christopher Beha, author of The Index of Self-Destructive Acts, and Rob Neyer, former sportswriter and local author of Power Ball: Anatomy of a Modern Baseball game.
$5 Registration will benefit the Roosevelt High School Athletics Program.
Online Launch Party and Livestream Extravaganza (Open Signal)
Saturday, August 22, 3:00 – 10:00p.m.
Open Signal is launching a new digital network—join us for a day of films, music and interviews to celebrate and raise money for the Black Media Maker Response Fund!
Open Signal is launching a new digital network, a place for Portland to see itself and be seen. We highlight work from local, independent media makers and community organizations. We believe in creating people-driven alternatives to mass media—and that media should be available anytime, from anywhere.
To kick off our new network, join us for a livestream featuring work from Open Signal Labs’ Black Filmmaker Fellows, an interview with Don’t Shoot PDX, footage from Open Signal’s archive, DJ sets from Chuckk Pasta and DJ NO.Bi.Es and Deena Bee, and more! This event is a fundraiser for the Our Stories, Our Lives Black Media Maker Response Fund.
Pix-O-Matic Popup: Petite Patisserie Book Release
August 25 – August 31
How do you have a book release party in a pandemic? You put it in a contactless, self-serve vending machine! Petite Pâtisserie goes on sale August 25th and they are throwing a party in the Pix-O-Matic to celebrate, filling the vending machine compartments with miniature edibles all created from recipes in the book. Autographed copies of the book are also available to preorder: pix@pixpatisserie.com
Virtual Festivals
Brooklyn Book Festival Authors Announced
September 28 – October 5
Edinburgh International Book Festival
From August 15 – 31 enjoy 140 events for adults and children for free via our website, including live conversations, panel debates, discussions, readings and draw-alongs. Through the magic of technology, we’ll be crossing continents and time zones to beam events from more than 30 countries straight into your home.
Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup
During the weekend of Sept. 25-27, virtual stages at loc.gov/bookfest will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes, and book buying possibilities through the festival’s official bookseller, Politics & Prose.
Venice Biennale’s Venice VR Expanded 2020
September 2 –12
For the first time in its 125-year history, La Biennale di Venezia (the Venice Biennale) is offering its programming both online and at select venues around the globe.
The Northwest Film Center and Portland Art Museum will be the exclusive U.S. partner for the Virtual Reality (VR) arm of the Venice Biennale through its Venice VR Expanded programming. Tickets go on sale at the Museum and Film Center websites the week of August 17.
RESOURCES FOR WRITERS
Job Alert: Editor/ Writer, Bridgeliner (PDX Pipeline)
The ideal candidate is a creative, community-oriented writer in Portland who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. You’ve ideally managed projects, produced regular media products, and have a strong record of community engagement in Portland. The editor is responsible for informing, engaging, and growing that community through a daily email newsletter and social channels.
PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction
Deadline extended to September 1, 2020
Northwest Review open for Digital Submissions
Northwest Review are currently open for submissions of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, art, and interviews.
Writer As Fearless Citizen Workshop Featuring Cheryl Strayed
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. P.T.
Join us for this extraordinary *benefit* writing workshop featuring bestselling writer Cheryl Strayed where we will explore the role of the writer-citizen in these unprecedented times. This is a full day 10:00-3:30PM (Pacific Time) Writing Workshop with a morning AND afternoon session, including a 1 hour lunch from 12:00-1:00 PM. The morning session (10:00-12:00) will be hosted by memoirist, novelist, and nonfiction writer, Albert Flynn DeSilver, and include innovative “warm-up” writing exercises, talk and discussion. The afternoon session from 1:00-3:00PM will feature bestselling writer Cheryl Strayed—author of WILD (memoir), TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS (nonfiction), TORCH (fiction) Cheryl will be offering innovative writing exercises, a lecture/talk, discussion and Q&A. 3:00-3:30 will be for final sharing and closing remarks. A minimum 25% of net profit proceeds will benefit the Black Lives Matter movement via the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The session will also be recorded!
Cost: $249 TO ATTEND. REGISTER HERE
What We’re Reading
Book Groups Call on Congress to Take Action Against Amazon (Shelf Awareness)
Yaa Gyasi on the Mysteries of Faith and Reason (The Atlantic)
For Kids/Teens
Black Lives Matter Kid’s Set (Lokai)
In order to help ignite conversations with children about anti-racism and racial justice, Lokai ispartnering with “A Kids Book About” for a set that includes a Black Lives Matter Lokai in the new XS size, and copy of A Kids Book About Racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens.
Each Black Lives Matter Lokai is infused with elements from the highest and lowest points on Earth: water from Mt Everest and mud from the Dead Sea tp remind you to find balance — staying humble during life’s highs and hopeful through its lows. Lokai will donate $1 from each Black Lives Matter Lokai sold to organizations actively working towards racial justice and equality.
YA Books For the Dog Days of Summer (Two Rivers Books)
LISTEN
In the Atelier Podcast (Atelier26)
New podcast for writers! From award-winning Portland publisher and Oregon Literary Fellowship recipient Atelier26 Books, In the Atelier brings you artfully produced audio essays about literature, writing, and the life of the imagination. Each installment provides mindful and inspiring content you can carry with you into your week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
AND MORE!
Soapstone Women’s Writers Study Group
Registration is open for fall study groups from Soapstone:
Reading Carolyn Forché, led by Kirsten Rian
Eight Sunday Mornings, 10:30 to 12, Oct. 4 through Nov. 22
via Zoom. $75
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, led by Robert Bizjak
Six Saturday mornings, October 3 through November 7, 10 to 12 am via Zoo. $75
For full descriptions of the study groups and leaders’ bios go to www.soapstone.org
To register for a study group send an email to soapstonewriting@gmail.com, and a check made out to Soapstone, 622 SE 29th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214.
