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
Sign-Up for The Stafford Challenge (The Stafford Challenge)
This event is ongoing
Join The Stafford Challenge, a transformative year-long poetry journey inspired by the daily practice of William Stafford. Beginning January 17, 2025—Stafford’s birthday—you’ll commit to writing a poem a day alongside a global community of poets. Enjoy inspiring monthly events featuring renowned Guest Poets such as Kim Stafford, Naomi Shihab Nye, Erika Meitner, and more. Learn more and register at staffordchallenge.com.
The Big Read Finale: Jess Walter | (Fishtrap)
Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. | 107 W. Main St. Enterprise, OR and online at fishtrap.org. Meet Jess Walter, author of The Cold Millions and learn how he was inspired to write the story and find inspiration for its characters. Tickets: $15 General Admission $12.50 Fishtrappers $5 Students. Online tickets are available at the same price.
One Page Wednesday – February | (Literary Arts)
Wednesday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m. | Literary Arts, 716 SE Grand Ave Portland, OR 97214
Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up to read – or come to listen and prepare to be inspired. Our host is the one and only, Emme Lund. The featured reader for February is Karen Russell.
Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the Twenty-First Century. (Literary Arts)
Thursday, February 6th, at 6:45 p.m. | Literary Arts, 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214 | FREE
Join local AANHPI community organizers and groups Ajumama Workshop, Studio Yellow, Liminal Bodies, and PDX Queer Asian Social Meetup as we welcome Bianca Mabute-Louie to Portland for the launch of her new book, Unassimilable: An Asian Diasporic Manifesto for the Twenty-First Century. Bianca will be in conversation with Portland artist and writer, Miro Jooyoung Oh, and community leader, Mary Li. Attendees are encouraged to join at 6:45pm to buy a book for signing and for a prompt start of the event at 7pm. Masks are optional but encouraged.
Portland Winter Light Festival
Friday, February 7th-Saturday February 15th | Various locations
Throughout all nine nights, discover hundreds of pop-up installations in windows, unexpected spaces, and fun locations across Portland (including Literary Arts!). Don’t forget to look up! Rooftop and top-floor displays offer surprising sights to brighten your night. Experience free, interactive light-based art, immersive sculptures, street performances, and participatory events citywide—and don’t miss a moment of Portland’s brightest winter tradition!
Portfolio Program Reading Series | (IPRC)
Saturday, February 8, from 7:00–9:00 p.m., | PAM CUT, 934 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR
Portland, OR 97205
Join the IPRC Community, and Portfolio Program Faculty & Program for the second quarterly reading of the 2024/2025 Program.
Portfolio Program Reading Series | (IPRC)
Saturday, February 8, from 7:00–9:00 p.m., | PAM CUT, 934 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR
Portland, OR 97205
Join the IPRC Community, and Portfolio Program Faculty & Program for the second quarterly reading of the 2024/2025 Program.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Featuring Victor Griggs (Printed Matter Vancouver)
Thursday, February 13th, at 7:00 p.m., | Art At The Cave, 108 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660 | $5 suggested donation
To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic, Printed Matter Vancouver founders Christopher Luna and Toni Lumbrazo Luna co-edited a third anthology of poems from the series with series co-host Morgan Paige. Ghost Town Poetry Volume Three features poems, memories, and photographs from throughout our two-decade history. $5 suggested donation, no one turned away
Visit the Ghost Town website for more information.
BOOKLOVER’S BURLESQUE (Booklover’s Burlesque)
Saturday, February 15th, doors open at 6:00 p.m. | The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 | Ticket prices vary
A Booklover’s Burlesque special edition at The Alberta Rose Theatre just in time for the sexiest season of the year- with all new readings and performances certain to bring about feelings in ALL the right places! Booklover’s Burlesque is the world’s sexiest literary salon which matches titillating, inspiring, and empowering book readings with burlesque, boylesque, and draglesque performances all in one show!
An Evening with Diane Wilson (The Reser)
Saturday, February 15th, at 7:00 p.m., | The Reser, 12625 SW Crescent St. Beaverton, OR 97005 | This event is free with reserved tickets.
Join The Reser for the culminating event of Beaverton City Library’s One Book, One Beaverton, a visit with Diane Wilson, author of The Seed Keeper. A Minnesota Book Award winner, Wilson’s novel is a beautifully told story of reawakening that follows a Dakota family’s struggle to preserve their way of life, and one woman’s search for belonging and community.
Supersymmetry Launch Party (Ooligan Press)
Tuesday, February 18th, at 7:00 p.m., | Up Up Books, 1211 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214 | FREE
Supersymmetry is a literary fiction novel that follows Lisa, a young woman that gets pregnant at nineteen (which wasn’t a part of the plan) and her journey grappling with postpartum depression, single parenthood, her own childhood trauma, and her son’s increasingly violent outbursts. As her live unravels with uncertainty, she ventures from Oregon to Croatia attempting to create a fresh start. To celebrate The author will be doing a Q&A with Agi Bori as well as a reading from the novel afterward.
Poetry Practice Space | (IPRC)
Thursday, February 20, from 7:00–8:00 p.m., | IPRC | Online via Zoom
Poetry Practice Space is a monthly gathering for poets and writers. Readings and prompts for generative writing will be provided. Come share a space to talk about your writing practice, and current writing projects, bemoan rejections, celebrate acceptances, share writing resources— and write together! Consider Poetry Practice Space the calisthenics for your poetics.
Dibujemos Juntos a Solito / Drawing Solito Together (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, February 22 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR 97233
Disfrute de una tarde bilingüe en español de dibujo, narración de cuentos y conexión. Diana Marcela Cuartas y Marissa Perez de El Conocimiento Migrante dirigirán una sesión de dibujo inspirada en Solito. No se necesita experiencia ¡simplemente traiga su curiosidad para dibujar juntos nuestras historias!
A Path to Home: A panel discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, February 26 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Central Library, 801 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Finding safety, meaningful work, people who speak your language–these are some of the challenges facing people who have left their homeland. Hear from some of the passionate people whose mission is to serve immigrants in Oregon. Join Pueblo Unido and the Collective of Indigenous Interpreters of Oregon in a conversation moderated by Stephen Manning of Innovation Law Lab.
Ecos del Sur (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, March 1 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97217
Disfrute de los sonidos de Ecos del Sur mientras interpretan música folclórica de América Central y del Sur. Enjoy the sounds of Ecos del Sur as they perform folk music from Central and South America.
Who Belongs? A creative theatre workshop & panel discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, March 1 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Hand2Mouth Theatre leads an on-your-feet, improv-style workshop to explore themes of migration and displacement. This part of the event requires registering beforehand, as there is limited capacity for participation. The workshop will be followed by a talk with local artists who focus on understanding and addressing displacement, conflict, borders, and the oppressed. This half does not require registration, and begins at 3pm.
Discuss Solito at Broadway Books (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, March 4 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
Join the booksellers at Broadway Books to discuss Zamora’s Solito.
La Cocina de las Patronas: Film Screening & Discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, March 5 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97217
For over 20 years, a group of women in Mexico have provided meals to Central American migrants who travel atop the U.S. bound train, La Bestia. The mission of “Las Patronas” goes beyond humanitarian assistance, symbolizing resistance against a system that criminalizes migrants. Join us for a film screening followed by a facilitated discussion. Durante más de 20 años, un grupo de mujeres mexicanas conocidas como “Las Patronas” han proporcionado comida a migrantes centroamericanos que viajan sobre el techo del tren, llamado La Bestia, que va hacia los Estados Unidos. Su misión va más allá de la ayuda humanitaria, y simboliza la resistencia en contra de un sistema que criminaliza a los migrantes. A continuación habrá una discusión.
Rockaway Writers Rendezvous (RWR) (Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Art, Music & Cultural Foundation)
Friday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27 | Rockaway Beach, Oregon | Various locations | $25
If you are a WRITER or anyone who loves the craft, the Rockaway Writers Rendezvous (RWR) is an annual writing event with workshops, open mics, and contests, as well as a great place to network with like-minded creatives with a wide range of experience. This third annual RWR 2025 will be bigger and better than ever! SUBMISSIONS FOR RWR 2025 WRITING AND ART CONTESTS FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS ARE OPEN NOW THRU MARCH 1! Contest winners in multiple categories (1. Poetry, 2. Fiction, 3. Non-Fiction, 4. Journalism, 5. Music Lyrics and 6. several Arts categories) will be entries for the RWR 2025 Anthology. WRITING CONTESTS: Students participate free, adults pay a $10 submission fee. Read the rules, submit your work, then if you are an Adult Competitor please pay fee upon successful submission. ART CONTESTS: New this year! Free entry for student and adult art categories! See submission page: https://www.rbwriters.com/2025contest.
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.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Worlds Within Words: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Multimedia Memoir (Oregon Humanities)
January 13–March 20 | Various times | Online via Zoom | FREE
Memoirs and personal narratives are stories, told from the perspectives of the authors, about important parts of their lives. This course explores the vast, rewarding potential of these expressive storytelling forms through reading, writing, podcast, and film.
Prompt Online: Fresh Eyes, Bold Strides (Write Around Portland)
Wednesdays, January 29th to March 19th, 6:00–8:00 p.m., | 8 Sessions | Online via Zoom | $195
Prompt is an 8-week series of connected workshops full of freewriting, listening, and strengths-based feedback. With accountability and community built in, you’ll be able to bundle up all your holiday memories and turn them into beautiful art. Join over Zoom, and write together!
Prompt @ Powell’s City of Books (Write Around Portland)
Tuesdays, January 28th to March 18th, 6:00–8:00 p.m., | 8 Sessions | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 | $295
Prompt is an 8-week writing group full of freewriting, listening, and strengths-based feedback, hosted behind-the-scenes at Powell’s City of Books! With accountability and community built in – as well as a huge selection of books for inspiration – you’ll be sure to come away with tons of new ideas.
Portland Zine Meetup (Rose City Book Pub)
Thursday, February 6, 9:00 –11:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212 | FREE
Casual weekly zine making meetup. Sketch, write, draw, chat, make friends, recieve critiques, or give critiques. Follow them on Instagram @PortlandZineMeetup They also meet at Dear Sandy, Sundays 11am-1pm
Drink and Write Tuesdays (Rose City Book Pub)
Tuesday, February 25, 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212 | FREE
Jeanne Faulkner hosts this drop-in writing workshop on the last Tuesday of every month. Jeanne provides the prompts, tips, and coaching. You bring your computer or notebook.
MVICW Poet & Author Fellowships (Martha’s Institute of Creative Writing)
Deadline: May 1 | Application Fee: $20
The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing is able to provide a number of need and merit-based fellowships (25-40% of registration) to attend our Summer Writers’ Conference. Special consideration is given to applicants demonstrating economic need.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
BOLD Children’s Storytime (Bold Coffee and Books)
Saturdays, at 10:00 a.m. | Bold Coffee and Books, 1755 SW Jefferson St. Portland, OR 97201 | FREE
Join Bold Coffee and Books every Saturday morning for children’s storytime! Whether an author is here to read their book or on of their staff members is reading a favorite, they will feature stories that spread compassion, awareness, and positivity. Children will get a coloring page or sticker to take home too!
Bookworm Baby Playgroup (Literacy Kid Lounge)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Literacy Kid Lounge, 2200 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove, OR 97267 | $10
Connect with other fantastic families and build lasting friendships in this Literacy Baby Playgroup! There is also a lot of crawling over each other and interactive play with toys and books.
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
Multnomah County Library discusses this year’s Everybody Reads selection | (KGW 8)
Creativity runs in the family for Theo and Nancy Downes-Le Guin | (Portland Tribune)
48 Books By Women of Color to Read in 2025 | (Electric Lit)
RECOMMENDED READING
Powell’s Picks of the Month (Powell’s)
Los mejores libros en español de 2024 (Multnomah County Library)
Todo el mundo lee 2025: Lecturas para todas las edades (Multnomah County Library)
Everybody Reads 2025 (Multnomah County Library)
Black History Month 2025 – African Americans in Labor (Multnomah County Library)
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!