Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Beyond Van Gogh: Portland (Beyond Van Gogh)
Now–January 9, from 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center | $24.99–$93.99
In an imaginative and immersive presentation crafted for our unique times by world renowned audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into the world of Van Gogh.
Hillsboro Library Friends Fall Book Sale (Hillsboro Library)
Now–December 19, from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. PST
2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR
Shop for 30 minutes. Limited to 6 shoppers at a time. Follow mask and social distancing guidelines.
Virtual Holiday Book Chat (Broadway Books)
Monday, November 29, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
Broadway Books continues their Indies First Celebration by hosting their annual Holiday Book Chat (virtually). While they’re crestfallen that the relentless virus is preventing them from hosting you all in person with wine, goodies, and other beverages, they invite you to grab your favorite beverage and plunk yourself down in front of your computer (notebook at the ready) and join them as Kim and Sally talk as fast as they possibly can about all of the delightful possibilities for holiday gift giving. If you can’t make the event in live time, you will be able to watch it at your leisure on their YouTube channel.
Sandor Ellix Katz in Conversation With Liz Crain (Powell’s Books)
Tuesday, November 30, at 5:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
For the past two decades, James Beard Award winner, fermentation expert, and bestselling author Sandor Ellix Katz has traveled the world, both teaching and learning about the many fascinating and delicious techniques for fermenting foods. Katz will be joined in conversation by Liz Crain, author of Dumplings Equal Love and Food Lover’s Guide to Portland.
Shannon Wheeler Art Show Reception (Portland’5 Hatfield Hall)
Tuesday, November 30, at 5:30 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Portland’5 Hatfield Hall
Portland’5 Centers for the Arts is excited to feature the work of Portland-based comic artist Shannon Wheeler in the upcoming exhibit: “Art Show,” featuring cartoons and roughs submitted to the New Yorker. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to event must be presented along with matching photo ID to enter the reception. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the venue.
From Knowledge to Power: Book Launch (Ooligan Press)
Tuesday, November 30, at 6:00 p.m.
LuckyLab, Quimby Hall, NW Quimby St, Portland, OR
Join Ooligan Press for our From Knowledge to Power book launch! It will be held at the LuckyLab in Quimby Hall on November 30, 2021 at 6pm. This event will also be streamed virtually (link coming soon).
Fonda Lee in Conversation With Sarah Gailey (Powell’s Books)
Thursday, December 2, at 5:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
In Fonda Lee’s Jade Legacy (Orbit), the page-turning conclusion to the Green Bone Saga, the Kaul siblings battle rival clans for honor and control over an East Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis. Lee will be joined in conversation by Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award-winning author of Magic for Liars and The Echo Wife.
Juhea Kim in Conversation With Caroline Kim (Powell’s Books)
Tuesday, December 7, at 5:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
Immersive and elegant, Kim’s epic debut, Beasts of a Little Land (Ecco), unveils a world where friends become enemies, enemies become saviors, heroes are persecuted, and beasts take many shapes. Kim will be joined in conversation by Caroline Kim, author of The Prince of Mournful Thoughts and Other Stories.
The Bagley Wright Lecture Series on Poetry
Thursday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
In this lecture, the last in a series of five, Lisa Jarnot discusses two book length projects: Some Other Kind of Mission (1994) and A Princess Magic Presto Spell (2019). Inspired by Robert Duncan’s line, “I used to make up my tents, my treasuries, my powers within powers,” she asks what it means for the poet to act as prophet in imagining a new heaven and a new earth. The Bagley Wright Lecture Series on Poetry supports contemporary poets as they explore in-depth their own thinking on poetry and poetics, and give a series of lectures resulting from these investigations. Lectures are delivered publicly in partnership with institutions and organizations nationwide. Find out more about past, present, and future lecturers, and explore the archive at www.bagleywrightlectures.org.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic, featuring Michael Shay and M. F. McAuliffe
Thursday, December 9, from 7:00–10:00 p.m. PST
In person and virtual | Art at the Cave, 108 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA
$5 suggested donation
Hosted by Christopher Luna and Morgan Paige. Art at the Cave co-founder Kathi Rick has graciously offered to help us to continue to include our new friends from around the country in the open mic. Email katecrackernuts@comcast.net by no later than midnight on December 8 to indicate your interest in participating. In the subject line, let us know if you are “Reading” or “Just Listening.” You will receive instructions for how to join the meeting.
MOTHER IS A BODY: A Virtual Release Reading (IPRC)
Saturday, December 12, from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Free to attend | Register here
Please join the IPRC & Fonograf Editions for an evening of virtual readings to celebrate the release of MOTHER IS A BODY by Brandi Katherine Herrera. The event will feature readings from Lisa Wells, Lori Anderson Moseman, Dot Devota, and Brandi Katherine Herrera.
The Moth Mainstage in Portland
Tuesday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. PST
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Tickets start at $18
The Moth is true stories, told live and without notes. The Moth celebrates the ability of stories to honor both the diversity and commonality of human experience, and to satisfy a vital human need for connection. It seeks to present recognized storytellers among established and emerging writers, performers and artists and to encourage storytelling among communities whose stories often go unheard. Click here for this year’s lineup!
How to Read a Comic (Multnomah County Library)
Thursday, January 6, from 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Free to attend | Register here
Have you ever looked at a comic book or graphic novel and thought, “where do I start?” Join Jason Leivian of Floating World Comics along with librarians Alicia Tate and Laural Winter for a crash course in getting the most out of comic books, graphic novels and graphic memoir. You’ll come away with a new appreciation for the form along with suggestions for new titles to explore.
Livestream Reading: Dispatches from Anarres (Annie Bloom’s Books)
Thursday, January 6, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
Annie Bloom’s welcomes Tina Connolly, Kesha Ajose-Fisher, Rachael K. Jones, and TJ Acena, whose stories appear in Dispatches from Anarres: Tales in Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Artist Registry (Oregon Arts Commission)
As a tool for sharing funding opportunities, the Oregon Arts Commission partnered with The Ford Family Foundation to create the Oregon Artist Registry. Professional artists are strongly encouraged to sign up for the registry by completing a brief survey about themselves and their artistic practice.The goal is to reach and connect with as many Oregon artists as possible, including those who haven’t previously accessed funding programs. Read the full release.
Call for Submissions: June Open Reading Period (Black Lawrence Press)
Deadline: November 30
Black Lawrence Press seeks innovative, electrifying, and thoroughly intoxicating manuscripts that ensnare themselves in our hearts and minds and won’t let go. During their June and November Open Reading Periods, they accept submissions in the following categories: novel, novella, short story collection (full-length and chapbook), poetry (full-length and chapbook), biography & cultural studies, translation (from the German), and creative nonfiction. They are now also accepting proposals for anthologies. Black Lawrence Press accepts submissions exclusively through the online submission manager, Submittable. They are not able to accept submissions via email or postal mail.
Call for Submissions (De-Canon and Fonograph Editions)
Deadline: December 15
De-Canon resumes its mission of “de-canonizing” by teaming up with Fonograf Editions to publish an anthology of hybrid-literary works by women and nonbinary BIPOC writers. This anthology will explore multimodal forms of writing that navigate the restless intersections of writing, visual art, and other media, and that innovate in their contemplations – and complications – of language and form. Submissions are open from October 1st to December 15, 2021.
Call for Submissions: Care (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: December 21
The theme for the Spring 2022 issue of Oregon Humanities magazine is “Care.” They want to hear stories about responsibility and custody, attention and affection, worry and grief. They’re looking for nonfiction articles and essays exploring what it means to provide care and to receive it, to care about and to be cared for.
2021 CRAFT Creative Nonfiction Award (CRAFT Literary)
Deadline: December 30
Guest Judge: Ira Sukrungruang
Guest judge Ira Sukrungruang will select three winning pieces of unpublished creative nonfiction up to 6,000 words—each of the three writers will be awarded $1,000, publication, and a complete set of Graywolf Press’s The Art Of series. They have an editors’ choice round, too!
Community Storytelling Fellowship (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: January 3
Oregon Humanities is looking for people who belong to communities that are underrepresented in Oregon media to share stories from those communities in their magazine and other publications in 2022. Their new Community Storytelling Fellowship will give three Oregon storytellers—people producing nonfiction stories in any medium—$5,000 each to produce roughly three pieces in 2022. Fellows will receive mentorship and networking opportunities, and their work will be published in Oregon Humanities magazine.
National Endowment for the Arts Big Reads Program
Deadline: January 26
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences with grants of up to $20,000. These programs include activities such as author readings, book discussions, art exhibits, lectures, film series, music or dance events, theatrical performances, panel discussions, and other events and activities related to the community’s chosen book. Activities focus on one of fifteen available books from the NEA Big Read library.
Soapstone Fall/Winter Study Groups
Reading Madeleine Thien’s Do Not Say We Have Nothing, led by Tricia Snell
Saturdays January 22–February 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST | via Zoom
Small, Potent Packages: Reading Short Stories by Women Writers, led by Anndee Hochman
Sundays February 20–March 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST | via Zoom
Call for Zine Submissions (Salem Art Associate Zine Collection and Library)
The Salem Art Association (SAA) seeks Oregon artists, writers, creatives and community members to submit zines for the Salem Art Association Zine Collection and Library. This Collection houses zines from across Oregon covering a wide range of topics and is permanently housed on the SAA Annex landing. The SAA is interested in zines from the past, as well as work by current artists. One copy of each zine is available to the public as part of the Zine Library, which can be perused on site. Another will be filed away for safe keeping. Submit zines by mail or in person at the Annex.
FOR KIDS/ TEENS
Bank of America Student Leaders Program (Bank of America)
Application Deadline: January 28, 2022 | Apply here
Since its inception in 2005, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 3,000 exemplary high school juniors and seniors who have a passion for improving their communities. The program recognizes community-minded students by connecting them to employment, skills development leadership training and service through two components:
- A summer eight-week paid internship with a local nonprofit organization. This internship is designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by a local nonprofit organization.
- The week-long, all-expense paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, social and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.
*In-person events will be in line with local and national guidelines around gatherings and travel and may be subject to change.
IN THE NEWS
Omar El Akkad Wins Canadian Literature Award (ABC News)
Congratulations to local author/Oregon Book Award winner Omar El Akkad for winning the Scotiabank Giller Prize!
Portland Book Festival: Gary Shteyngart provokes upheavals of laughter, and other highlights from a day of book-buying and author conversations (Oregon ArtsWatch)
A recap of events at the in-person Portland Book Festival on November 12, 2021.
Terrific Local Writer Panels and the Unapologetically Popular Weird Food Vending Machine: An Afternoon at Portland Book Festival (Willamette Week)
A recap of the in-person Portland Book Festival on November 13, 2021.
Q&A with Pulitzer Prize winning author and Portland native, Mitchell Jackson (The Beacon)
A Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and Literary Arts board member) Mitchell Jackson prior to his speech at the University of Portland on November 10.
2022 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Shortlist Announced (NW Book Lovers)
The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association announced the 2022 Pacific Northwest Book Awards shortlist, selected by a committee of nine volunteer booksellers from throughout the PNW. There are three Oregon authors on the shortlist. Congratulations to the below authors!
- What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad (who won the 2018 Oregon Book Award for American War)
- Odessa by Jonathan Hill (a Literary Arts board member!)
- Funeral for Flaca by Emilly Prado (a former Literary Arts employee!)
The First Class of Letras Boricuas Fellows, just announced by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and The Flamboyan Foundation’s Art Fund
The 20 fellows, based in Puerto Rico or across the diaspora in the United States, vary
in their disciplines and genres from poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and children’s literature. This fellowship, the first of its kind, provides unrestricted grants of $25,000 to Puerto Rican writers over the next two years.
FALL READING
The Best Fiction Books of 2021 (Powell’s Books)
19 New Books to Read During Native American Heritage Month (Powell’s Books)
Includes Louise Erdrich’s The Sentence!
Try This Fall Reading Challenge If You Want To Read More Books (BuzzFeed)
7 Themed Nature Hikes near Portland and What to Read on Each Hike (PDX Parent)
Each of these Portland-area hikes comes with a suggested nature theme, as well as a book recommendation for learning more about that theme.
