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
Rose City Comic Con
Friday, September 5th–Sunday, September 8th, varying hours | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR
Rose City Comic Con returns to the Oregon Convention Center September 5-8! Portland’s premier pop culture event, Rose City Comic Con is produced locally with a weird and wonderful vibe that is unique to the Pacific Northwest. This year, RCCC is partnering with Powell’s Books to present a Book Fair with author panels and signings— and, of course, a Literary Arts table!
A Garden of Doors | Storytelling Workshops with Rachel Attias (Heidi Deckler Dance Northwest)
July 11–August 15, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Las Adelitas, 6735 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218
Join writer and storyteller Rachel Attias for a hands-on workshop designed to empower and uplift the voices of Las Adelitas residents and the community through storytelling and creative writing. If you are curious to express your inner voice, this inclusive and welcoming session is for you. Participants will have the opportunity to write, share, and connect with others in a supportive environment. This workshop is open to all ages and the general public.
Journal Drive (Write Around Portland)
August 1–September 15 | Multiple drop-off locations
Write Around Portland’s annual journal drive runs from August 1 to September 15. You can drop donations off at Annie Bloom’s Books, Broadway Books, or contact the Write Around Portland office to set up a time to stop by. Journals need to be clean, unused and blank. This is also a great opportunity to clear extra notebooks off your shelves at home!
Japanese Printing Techniques Demonstration with Atelier Meridian (Portland Art Museum)
Thursday, August 7, from Noon–3:00 p.m. | Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR | FREE
Discover the timeless art of Japanese printmaking in this exclusive demonstration hosted by Atelier Meridian, inspired by the exhibition Monet’s Floating Worlds at Giverny. Experience firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship behind traditional Japanese printing techniques, as skilled artists walk you through each step of the process, from woodblock carving to the final inked print.
Midsummer Poetry Series (IPRC)
August 6–August 27, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. | IPRC, 318 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214 | FREE
A four-week poetry seminar of stand-alone sessions that include generative writing & collaborative feedback. Each seminar is a unique session with a specific focus. Come & create new work & have previous work discussed.
Bookstore Romance Day
(Grand Gesture)
Saturday, August 9, Various times | Grand Gesture, 814 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
With Bookstore Romance Day only THREE WEEKS AWAY, Grand Gesture Books is SO excited to announce their panels for Saturday, August 9th!
Reading: “Live. Love. Leo.” by Judge Kemp (Rose City Book Pub)
Saturday, August 9, at 7:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street Portland, OR | FREE
A reading followed by a Q&A with the exalted and entertaining Judge Kemp.
Nini Berndt, Claire Jia & Olufunke Grace Bankole (Powell’s)
Monday, August 11, at 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Nini Berndt author of There Are Reasons for This, Claire Jia author of Wanting & Olufunke Grace Bankole author of The Edge of Water in conversation.
Reading: County Highway Newspaper + Q&A (Rose City Book Pub)
Thursday, August 14, at 5:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont StreetPortland, OR | FREE
Editors and writers from The County Highway Newspaper will do a short reading and a longer discussion on the state of the American literary tradition and publishing industry. Plus a Q+A!
Tide & Threshold: Writing Different Worlds in Crushing Times w/ Sia Luna (Corporeal Writing)
Saturday, August 16, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | $50
How do we write our way through grief and rage? How do we transform these forces—not into something softer, but into something true? In times of collapse and constraint, our bodies hold stories too vast for words—grief like an ocean, rage like fire at the edge of our throats. Tide & Threshold is a generative writing workshop that invites you to move with these forces, not against them, using somatic practice and embodied writing to crack open new portals of possibility.
Exploring Experiences and Connections of Returning to Society with Patrick Alexander (Oregon Humanities)
Tuesday, August 19, at 3:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | FREE
Do you remember the first time you were taught how to “be a man” or “act more ladylike”? Do you recall moments of permission where you got to break free from the pressures of your gender? Everyone experiences gender differently, which can cause confusion when the gender of others challenges our own understanding. By exploring our own histories with gender, we can open ourselves up to being curious about the experiences of others. In this conversation, participants will be invited to reflect on and share the ways gender was taught to them, moments they challenged gender expectations, and ways they live in their gender today.
Learning, Unlearning, and Understanding with Eric Braman (Oregon Humanities)
Thursday, August 21, at 3:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | FREE
Reentering society after being imprisoned or dealing with addiction is a difficult process, and people who go through it are often stigmatized. This conversation will explore the feelings, challenges, and experiences people encounter while reentering society and encourage participants to reflect on similarities to their own feelings and experiences. We will illuminate the connections we have with one another, and leave with a better understanding of what it is like to return to community after time away and a stronger sense of connection to those who are doing so.
3rd Annual Mamook Tokatee Block Party (Naya Family Center)
Sunday, August 24, from 1:00–6:00 p.m. | Mamook Tokatee, 4636 NE 42nd Ave Portland, OR | FREE
Join the Naya Family Center as they gather and celebrate arts and culture! Artists will be featured throughout the event.
Letter Writing Social (Broadway Books)
Monday, August 25, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway St. Portland, OR 97232 | FREE
Letter writing social hosted by Emma Swartz of Squeezebox Press! Meet like-minded snail mail enthusiasts, write letters, and make some new friends. Bring your favorite stationary, markers, washi tape, and accoutrements, or just share what’s provided. It’s always fun and we love welcoming new people who want to join us!
Writing from Joy w/Paige Thomas (Attic Institute)
Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m.–Noon. | Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St., Suite 405, Portland, OR 97205 | $75
In this three-hour intensive, you will intentionally spend time with joy — to write from it and write about it. Concentrating on two craft techniques that can reenergize a narrative (and ourselves), everyone will end the morning with something new and with thoughtful, joyful momentum.
Cookbook Club (Two Rivers Bookstore)
Sunday, August 24, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Two Rivers Bookstore, 8836 N. Lombard St. Portland OR 97203 | FREE
Cookbook Club meets quarterly on Sundays at 4pm. We all buy the same cookbook (this month, there are two options!), chose a recipe and meet potluck style to discuss the various qualities of the cookbook; photos or illustrations, recipe and direction and basically all things related to making a good dish.
2025 Stories to Songs: A Musicians’ Intensive Workshop (Documentary Songwriters)
August 25–30, from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Second Story Studios, 1330 NW 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 | $300-Sliding scale
Using DocSong’s seven-step documentary songwriting method, you’ll write songs out of stories that too often go unsung. In times of widespread isolation and fear, this practice becomes a form of medicine—creating bridges between people through shared stories and collaborative music-making. (Apply here)
Karleigh Frisbie Brogan in Conversation With Chelsea Bieker (Powell’s)
Tuesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Karleigh Brogan author of Holding will be joined in conversation by Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman.
Doris Kearns Goodwin (Oregon Historical Society)
Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway Avenue Portland, Oregon 97205 | Ticket prices vary
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author, and a partner in Pastimes Productions.
The A.M. Memoir Workshop w Laura Moulton (Attic Institute)
Mondays, September 22–October 27, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. | Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St., Suite 405, Portland, OR 97205 | $249
Using prompts, short readings, and discussion, this generative nonfiction workshop will focus on mining our personal histories and crafting them into the form they deserve. We’ll also explore the ways we sometimes get in the way of our own stories — and how to use that to break through and write around the blocks. CNF, personal essays, journaling…all are welcome. Open to all writers.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | $5
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.
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
The Art of Prose Poetry Workshop with Craig Brandis (Attic Institute)
July 10–August 14, from 6:30–8:00 p.m | Online Via Zoom | $249
Have you been wondering how to make exciting poems that combine the best elements of poetry and prose? The secret to prose poetry lies in layering cadences within narrative verse. Focus on building layers of rhythm, emotional resonance and imagery within storytelling. Apply those lessons to your own poems.
Resonate: A BIPOC Writing Circle (Write Around Portland)
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month | 4:00–5:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Led by a Write Around Portland facilitator of color, Resonate consists of writing, sharing, and giving strengths-based feedback to each other. No preparation or experience in writing is required! Resonate is a great way to unlock your creativity, build or maintain a writing practice, and get some writing done! REGISTER HERE.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Become a CLMP Fall Intern! (CLMP)
Deadline: August 15, 2025 | Stipend: $1,500
Joining CLMP’s small, dynamic staff as an intern means you’ll learn about and contribute to marketing, membership, development, operations, event planning, and content production on a weekly basis. From helping to plan events to organizing publishing contacts, participating in book fairs to snapping Instagram photos, contributing to our awards program to producing content for our newsletters, an internship with CLMP is multifaceted and rewards creative and motivated literary citizens with a passion for our industry.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
2026 Howling Bird Press Short Nonfiction Prize (Howling Bird Press)
Deadline: August 31, 2025 | Prize: $2,500
The competition is open to all writers in English. Author of the winning manuscript receives a cash award of $2,500, which serves as an advance, with book subsequently published by Howling Bird Press under a standard book contract.
Off The Grid Poetry Prize (Off The Grid)
Deadline: August 31, 2025 | Prize: $1,000
The Off the Grid Prize recognizes the work of older poets and highlights important contemporary voices in poetry. Winners receive $1000 and publication, promotion, and distribution of their book in print and audio formats. We are looking for work by poets over 60, whose writing practice is ongoing and whose vision is fresh while drawing from six or more decades of lived experience.
FOR KIDS & TEENS
Summer Reading: Goats at your library – with stories! (Multnomah County Library)
Thursday, August 7, 11:00 a.m.–Noon. | Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver Avenue Portland, OR 97217 | FREE
A storytime for all ages… with goats! Come to your library and meet four Nigerian Dwarf goats from Goat it! Listen to stories, sing songs and ask questions about the goats! Pet them and learn more about these amazing and snuggly animals. Goats are wonderful for providing relaxation, amusement and joy!
Summer Camp: The Legend of Percy Jackson (The Northwest Children’s Theater)
July 28-August 8, 2025 | The Reser, 12625 SW Crescent St, Beaverton OR 97005 | $999
Embark on an epic adventure this summer at Camp Half-Blood! Inspired by the adventures of Percy Jackson this performance camp lets young heroes step into the role of gods and monsters as they bring legends to life. Unleash your inner hero and make your summer worthy of myth!
Summer Lunches 2025 (Multnomah County Library)
Friday, August 15, 12:15–1:00 p.m. | Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233 | FREE
Children ages 1-18 are invited to enjoy free summer lunch at Midland Library. No reservations/sign-ups required. Lunch is served cold and will be served indoors. We have coloring sheets, crafts, and Friday movies! Join us!
Thursday Drop In Series At Literacy Kid Lounge: Transportation (Literacy Kid Lounge)
Thursday, August 21, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Literacy Kid Lounge, 2200 SE Oak Grove Blvd, Oak Grove, OR 97267 | $17–22
Join us for a magical morning of stories, crafts, and hands-on fun! Each special event features a unique theme — from animals to rainbows and everything in between — designed to spark imagination and create joyful memories.
Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum (World Forestry Center)
August 24, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road,
Portland, OR, 97221 | Free
Explore the wonders of World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum at no cost today, from 10 am – 4 pm. Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum is brought to you by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and its enduring commitment to community.
Bard Storytime (Wonderwood)
Every Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–Noon | Wonderwood Springs, 7410 N. Chicago Ave. Portland, OR | FREE
Join us every Saturday as Gerard Bardler (the bard of Wonderwood) reads stories and sings songs! Books generously donated by our neighbors Twin Rivers Books. Family friendly, family fun, FREE!
IN THE NEWS
Op-ed: A case for art in urgent times
(Oregonian / Oregonlive)
RECOMMENDED READING
Encounters with the abyss: science fiction about being lost in space | (Multnomah County Library)
Animal fantasy and shape-changers | (Multnomah County Library)
Staff Picks | (The Literary Arts Bookstore)
Powell’s Picks of the Month | (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!
