Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know in the form below the blog if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Rupi Kaur Meet-and-Greet (Powell’s at Cedar Hills Crossing)
Monday, October 28th at 6:00 p.m. | Powell’s Books, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005 | FREE
Since its debut, milk and honey has sold more than 6 million copies globally, becoming the highest-selling book of poetry in the 21st century and propelling Rupi Kaur into the stratosphere as the voice of a generation. milk and honey has taken millions of readers on a shared journey through life’s most emotional moments, reminding us along the way that there is sweetness everywhere, if only we are willing to look. An exceptional volume, the milk and honey 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Andrews McMeel) is a must-have keepsake that will be treasured by longtime fans as well as readers new to the work that transformed poetry in our time. Please note: This event is a meet-and-greet & booksigning only.
Oregon Jewish Voices 2024 (Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education)
Wednesday, October 30th, at 7:00 p.m. | Oregon Jewish Museum, 724 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209 | Tickets are $13
Started in 1999 and organized by writer Willa Schneberg, this annual event features readings by prominent Oregon Jewish poets and writers. This year, the annual series celebrates a quarter-century of showcasing Oregon Jewish Writers! The writers in the 2024 program span a range of genres, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and essays, and they will share selections from their work. David Axelrod, Jan Baross, Marat Grinberg, Willa Schneberg, and Jodi Varon will present as this year’s featured readers.
Dear Stranger (Oregon Humanities)
Mail your letter by Thursday, October 31st, 2024
Dear Stranger is a recurring letter-exchange project that connects Oregonians through the mail to share experiences, beliefs, and ideas. Since 2014, more than 1,000 people have exchanged letters through the project. Everyone is invited to participate—whatever your age, your place of residence, or your circumstances, Dear Stranger wants to hear from you.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Bard Bingo at Portland Artist Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs is a lively bingo event hosted by a traveling bard’s musical musings. Held every Tuesday night, this event features four exciting rounds with cards priced at $5 each. It’s cash-only, offering chances to win various prizes such as original artwork, stickers, gift cards, lawn signs, and the coveted jackpot.
Big Cheese Poetry Slam (Hi-Lo Hotel)
Tuesday, September 10th–Sunday, December 15th | F320 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 | $5–$15
Welcome to the Big Cheese Poetry Slam, a competition designed to earn these poets some cheddar. On the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month, up to 16 poets compete against each other for the Top Three of the Evening. The top three poets of each month’s Big Cheese Poetry Slam will have their poem PUBLISHED in an anthology series at the end of the season. In addition to publication, these Poets of the Evening will receive a CASH PRIZE for contributing to the anthology. 3rd place gets $50, 2nd place gets $75 and 1st place will receive $100, bragging rights AND a victory lap poem.
Portland Design Month (Weird By Design)
Various dates, September 25th–October 26th | Various locations
Portland Design Month is more than a festival — it’s an invitation to see our city with new eyes. In the past, this event was limited to one week. This year, we’re excited to announce that it will run for a full month, featuring numerous events and workshops around the city by nonprofits, designers, students, companies, and you (our awesome attendees).
Storytime with Latoya Lovely (PSU Farmers Market)
Various dates, August–November 2024 | PSU Farmers Market South Park Blocks, between the Blackstone Residence Hall and Smith Memorial Student Union Near 1831 SW Park Ave.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU invites you to Storytime at the PSU Farmers Market led by Portland-based artist Latoya Lovely. Inspired by the exhibition Color Outside the Lines from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, we will read stories exploring color and its ability to build friendship and community. Join Lovely as she brings stories of art and whimsy to life!
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
November Writing Support Group (Write Around Portland)
October 30, 2024- December 4, 2024 | $125 for five sessions amnd a limited number of FREE sports
Would you enjoy the challenge of drafting a novel in a month? We can help! Join us as we support each other, write together, and give each other positive, strengths-based feedback that will help shape your work and give continuous inspiration. And—we made it a 6-week workshop to include planning and celebratory meetings designed to get the most out of November! We can’t wait to write with you! Facilitated by Brandy Bell.
Call for entries: The Library Writers Project (Multnomah County Library & Ooligan Press)
October 1-31, 2024 | Free to submit
Multnomah County Library wants to read your book! From October 1-31, the library will be accepting submissions from local authors who would like to see their work added to the library’s collection. After library staff review submissions, they will add the best ones to the library’s e-book collection on the Libby app and OverDrive website, together visited by over 9,000 MCL patrons every single day. Submissions also have the potential to be published in print by Ooligan Press.
Soapstone Study Groups (Soapstone: Celebrating Women Writers)
Various dates, August–November 2024
Soapstone offers a program of six study groups each year on women writers. Enjoy lively, friendly, in-depth conversations with other readers, skillfully led by writers and teachers. People of all genders and identities are welcome. No previous knowledge of the works discussed is necessary. Scholarships are available.
Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award (Red Hen Press)
Deadline to submit: October 31st, 2024 | $25 entry fee
Established in 1998, in honor of the poet Benjamin Saltman (1927–1999), this award is for a previously unpublished original collection of poetry. The awarded collection is selected through an annual competition that is open to all poets. Winner awarded $3000 and $3000 book publication by Red Hen Press.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
Fall Fest at Triskelee Farm (Triskelee Farm)
Various dates, October 14th-October 27th, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Triskelee Farm, 29700 SW Mountain Rd, West Linn, OR 97068 | $15
Come for fall activities in our covered space! There will be a trick-or-treat walk, bounce house, games, pumpkin decorating, food and drinks.
Toddler Storytime & Play (Sunrise Books)
Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Sunrise Books | FREE to attend
Join Sunrise Books every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. for toddler storytime! They’ll sing, dance, do a read aloud, and have a rockin’ good time. Perfect for ages 18 months–4 years. This storytime is free; however, they accept donations to keep it going.
Kids’ Story & Art Class at Awake Coffee & Art!
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Awake Coffee & Art | $8
Bring your little ones Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for a storybook reading and art session! They’ll have a hands-on art project after the reading. It could be watercolor painting, making and playing with play dough, or another creative project to engage the young artists’ talents! All materials included!
Kids’ Storytime (Powell’s)
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. | Powell’s City of Books | FREE
Join Powell’s every Saturday for kids’ storytime.
IN THE NEWS
Percival Everett and Rachel Kushner make the 2024 Booker prize shortlist (The Guardian)
Ani DiFranco and Richard Powers to headline 2024 Portland Book Festival (Oregon Arts Watch)
2024 National Book Awards Longlist for Fiction (National Book Foundation)
Movie of Oregon Author’s Memoir is Directed by Oscar-Nominated Actress Kristen Stewart (Daily Tidings)
Literary Arts is our muse for community support (KOIN)
Meet the 2024 Portland Book Festival Guest Artists (Literary Arts)
Touring the new Literary Arts headquarters, and turning the page (Oregon Arts Watch)
RECOMMENDED READING
Spooky Books Kinder-8th Grade (Multnomah County Library)
Horror for High School (Multnomah County Library)
Voting and Elections, for adults (Multnomah County Library)
50 Books for 50 Years (Powell’s)
Community News Submissions
Let us know if you have any events, news to share, or opportunities for writers for the In the Community blog and we will consider adding it to the next blog post!